Restless Leg Syndrome Home Remedies

Tap to Read ➤ Rajib Singha

Restless leg syndrome is a painful condition that limits the mobility of the affected person. With simple home remedies and proper iron diet this syndrome can be curbed to some extent.

People affected by a restless leg syndrome (RLS) have a strange feeling of itching, or tickling or wiggling under their skin. This medical condition is also termed as Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome , wherein the affected people can't resist moving their legs in response to the uncomfortable or painful sensations experienced.

Restless leg syndrome has also been known to affect the arms and torso. Although the movement of the legs help provide relief from pain, the effect is only temporary. This condition becomes more severe when the person is at rest, and therefore it affects the people who have a sedentary lifestyle. The condition worsens with age, and its most serious repercussion is insomnia (the inability to sleep; chronic sleeplessness).

Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome

The painful sensations in the parts of the body such as thighs, calves, feet, arms, or torso are the most prominent symptoms. These symptoms may be referred to as deep-seated, crawling, creeping, jittery, tingling, burning, or aching, and they get worse in the evenings or during the nights.

► Home Remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome

◐ Soak the legs in a warm bath and massage them on a daily basis to relax the muscles. This will help in case of restless leg syndrome.

◐ Walk around and perform exercises to relieve some of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome. The exercises should be performed at a moderate level since overdoing them may intensify the symptoms. Stretching exercises are more beneficial to address this problem.

◐ Apply warm or cold compresses to reduce the sensations in the legs. Stress is associated with the causes of the restless leg syndrome. Therefore, perform relaxation techniques such as meditations and yoga to reduce stress and calm the nerves. Relaxing your body before going to bed is also helpful.

◐ Reduce your caffeine consumption such as tea, coffee, and other beverages. Caffeine is known to aggravate restless leg syndrome. People who smoke or consume alcohol are at a higher risk of acquiring this syndrome. Therefore, refrain from such products as they have adverse effects on sleep.

◐ The natural treatment of restless leg syndrome also includes the consumption of a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods. Most people who have been affected by the illness of restless leg syndrome have been found to be deficient in iron, magnesium, or folate. Therefore, incorporate iron and magnesium-rich foods in your diet.

◐ Maintaining a fixed schedule for bedtime helps the body prepare for a good-night sleep and reducing restless leg syndrome. Therefore, avoid watching television and drinking any beverages before you retire to bed.

◐ A gentle massage of your head with coconut or almond oil will help relax the mind and body. This is effective in restless leg syndrome.

◐ Acupuncture and electric-nerve stimulation have also been found to be of great help in alleviating the symptoms of restless leg syndrome.

Medicines

◐ Along with the aforementioned home remedies, administration of certain medicines also help in reducing the restlessness in the legs.

◐ Medicines which are usually prescribed for treating this syndrome are pramipexole, ropinirole, and a combination of carbidopa and levodopa. Narcotic medications such as codeine, the combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, and hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination are also helpful. Other medicines include clonazepam, eszopiclone, ramelteon, temazepam, zaleplon, and zolpidem.

The aforementioned home remedies have proven to be effective for most people with restless leg syndrome. However in most cases, this illness tends to stay for a lifetime.

The best way to deal with it is to keep your near and dear ones informed about the condition, take necessary remedial measures (exercises in particular), and share vital insights with other people affected by the same condition.

Disclaimer : This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.