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 are you lacking when you have restless leg syndrome?
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.
What are the long term effects of restless leg syndrome?
These long-term complications can be broadly categorized as disease-related (impact on sleep and acute exacerbation of restless legs syndrome symptoms), and medication issues (augmentation, sleep attacks, impulse control disorders, addiction and dependence, site reaction, occasionally sleep apnea, fibrotic …
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.
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.
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 losing weight help with restless leg syndrome?
Some studies suggest that people who are obese have fewer dopamine receptors in the brain. Scientists also believe that RLS is related to abnormal dopamine activity. If you’re overweight, healthy eating and physical activity can help you take off excess pounds.
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 is the best medication for restless legs?
Your doctor will prescribe the best treatment plan for you. Dopamine agonists: These are most often the first medicines used to treat RLS. These drugs, including pramipexole (Mirapex), rotigotine (Neupro), and ropinirole (Requip), act like the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.
Can restless leg syndrome 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 should you do if you have restless leg syndrome?
- massaging your legs.
- taking a hot bath in the evening.
- applying a hot or cold compress to your leg muscles.
- doing activities that distract your mind, such as reading or watching television.
Can restless leg syndrome be serious?
Restless legs syndrome is not life threatening, but severe cases can disrupt sleep (causing insomnia) and trigger anxiety and depression. The charity Restless Leg Syndrome UK provides information and support for people affected by restless legs syndrome.
Can restless legs spread?
Although RLS usually starts in the legs, it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the arms or torso. RLS sufferers often describe the disorder as feeling like water flowing inside the legs, “bugs in the bones,” or electricity in the legs.