If you often experience difficulty falling and staying asleep when crawling, creeping and tingling sensations in your legs cause an uncontrollable urge to move them, you may have a neurological disorder called restless legs syndrome. Individuals diagnosed with the disorder find that one of the most distinctive and frustrating symptoms of RLS is that sitting or lying down awakens symptoms, says the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Research suggests that a vitamin B-12 deficiency may be associated with RLS. If you want to explore a nondrug treatment option for RLS, consult your doctor to confirm the existence of a vitamin deficiency and outline an individual treatment plan.
Symptoms of RLS
You may experience wide variability in the severity and frequency of RLS symptoms, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke indicates that symptoms generally increase over time. The unpleasant symptoms common to the legs sometimes affect the arms, torso or head, and symptoms may occur on only one side of the body rather than both sides. Triggers for symptoms are periods of inactivity such as lengthy car rides, long-distance flights and relaxation exercises. Movements such as pacing the floor, stretching and exercising bring temporary relief from the uncomfortable sensations.
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
When an undetected vitamin deficiency causes RLS, your symptoms may respond to taking supplements, says MayoClinic.com. Some of the symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency are anemia, fatigue, loss of appetite and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation emphasizes the crucial role your doctor plays in identifying and treating an underlying deficiency. Blood tests can rule out the possibility of other medical conditions. Rely on your doctor's guidance to safeguard you against dietary supplements that may interfere with medications or cause toxicity.
Sources of Vitamin B-12
Dietary sources of B-12 include animal products such as meat, fish, eggs and milk products. For vegetarians, fortified cereals and yeast products contain vitamin B-12. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements recommends reading food labels to determine if a product is fortified with vitamin B-12, and suggests that supplements may help those who have difficulty absorbing B-12.
Implications
The symptoms of RLS can disrupt sleep and cause exhaustion, impaired memory, poor job performance and depression. If you have RLS, see your doctor to determine if a vitamin B-12 deficiency plays a role in your symptoms. Vitamin B-12 may interact with some medications, and certain medications interfere with the absorption of the vitamin. The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation cautions that vitamin supplements should be used under a physician's supervision.
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