How does restless leg syndrome affect the body?
People with restless legs syndrome have unusual feelings in their legs (like itching, crawling, pulling, aching, throbbing, or pins and needles) and a powerful urge to move their legs to make the sensations go away. The condition can also happen in other areas like the arms, chest, or head.
Are Restless legs harmful?
But according to the American Sleep Association, some women may continue to have symptoms after giving birth or may develop RLS again later in life. RLS as a disorder is not dangerous or life-threatening, but it can be uncomfortable, making it hard to sleep and affecting your quality of life.
What happens if restless leg syndrome goes untreated?
Left untreated, the condition causes exhaustion and daytime fatigue, as well as sleep deprivation, depression, travel difficulties, memory impairment, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia. Because of lack of sleep, children and some adults may be very drowsy, irritable, and aggressive during daytime hours.
What is your body lacking when you have restless legs?
Iron deficiency is thought to be one of the main causes of RLS. Several studies have shown that iron supplements can help ease RLS symptoms ( 1 , 3). A simple blood test can check for iron deficiency, so if you think this could be a problem for you, talk to your doctor.
Does drinking water help restless legs?
These days, drinking tonic water might seem like a natural way to treat RLS. One liter of tonic water usually contains no more than 83 mg of quinine. A normal dose of quinine pills contains about 500 to 1000 mg of quinine. Drinking a liter of tonic water each day is unlikely to help RLS symptoms.
Are bananas good for restless legs?
Tips for increasing your potassium include: Eating more fruits, like bananas, can help restless legs syndrome. Eating more vegetables, like leafy greens, can help restless legs syndrome Talk to your doctor before taking a potassium supplement to make sure you don’t take too much.
What is the root cause of restless leg syndrome?
Often, there’s no known cause for RLS . Researchers suspect the condition may be caused by an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine, which sends messages to control muscle movement.
How do I stop restless legs and arms fast?
- Try baths and massages. Soaking in a warm bath and massaging your legs can relax your muscles.
- Apply warm or cool packs. …
- Establish good sleep hygiene. …
- Exercise. …
- Avoid caffeine. …
- Consider using a foot wrap.
How do you fall asleep with restless legs?
- Regular, moderate exercise may help you sleep better. …
- Warm up to bedtime. …
- Take it easy! …
- Sleep a little better tonight by avoiding nicotine and caffeine close to bedtime.
- You’ll sleep better, and feel better, if you maintain a regular sleep schedule.
What foods trigger restless leg syndrome?
If you have RLS, there are also foods that you will want to avoid because they can exacerbate the condition and make your symptoms worse. The top three foods to avoid are chocolate, sugary sodas, and fried foods.
Does RLS ever go away?
There are some cases of restless legs syndrome disappearing on its own. But this is rare. Instead, for most people symptoms get worse over time. For people with RLS symptoms caused by a medical condition, treatment of that condition can improve their RLS.
What is the best exercise for restless leg syndrome?
Aim for 30-60 minutes of exercise per day, and avoid exercise where your joints ache, as it may worsen your RLS. Also try adding in gentle activities like yoga, cycling, and swimming a few times a week. Combined with stretching, you may find these activities work well for you.
Can dehydration cause restless legs?
Dehydration may cause the urge to move the legs, so some people find drinking a glass of water stops the urges for a short while. soaking your feet in hot water just prior to going to sleep.