1. When Your Legs Move Without Warning
If you wake up in the middle of the night because of sudden leg twitching that keeps you and your partner from getting restful sleep, you probably have RLS, or Restless Leg Syndrome. This condition also manifests itself during the day when the victim is sitting for long period, like on an airplane, train ride or long session at the computer. Suddenly, your leg will start to move or twitch, because Restless Leg Syndrome effects the vessels in the legs instead of the joints. The burning or tugging sensation that precipitates leg twitching tends to be misdiagnosed as stress, nerves or arthritis.
2. Look for Underlying Causes
Anemia and iron deficiency are common causes of Restless Legs Syndrome. People with Parkinson's disease and kidney failure also suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome. Pregnant women suffer from RLS, usually during the last trimester. High strung folks may find that excessive caffeine, alcohol or cigarette use cause and/or exacerbates their RLS.
3. Vital Nutrients and a Good Diet Control RLS
All those easy to grab, on-the-go drinks like coffee, cola, energy drinks and black tea give you a temporary lift during the day but contributes to restless legs syndrome and other problems at night. Cut down or eliminate alcohol consumption and smoking. Iron, whether in food or supplement form, contributes to a healthy immune system. The best way to get it in your bloodstream is eating more foods containing heme iron like pork, beef, oysters, fish and poultry. Non-heme iron isn't as potent as heme iron, but it also steels the body against RLS. Dairy products, bread, pasta and leafy green veggies like spinach provide this type of iron, so you can get more iron in your diet even if you're a vegetarian. Load up on Vitamin C, from supplements or orange juice, as it helps your body to absorb iron.
4. Get Some Stress Free Sleep
Lifestyle changes offer relief to many victims of Restless Legs Syndrome. Adjusting your sleeping position or even the time you go to sleep helps some people. Changing your job schedule to alleviate stress, getting regular massages or taking a hot bath before bedtime helps to relieve Restless Legs Syndrome. Doctors prescribe Ropinirole, Clonazepam and occasionally more powerful drugs like opioids for severe cases of RLS
5. Keep Those Legs Moving During the Day
Mild to moderate exercise, like walking after dinner or riding a bike a few times a week improves circulation. Avoid too much exercise, however, as it may aggravate restless legs.
