Correcting an iron deficiency may involve receiving iron supplementation orally or intravenously. You should consider habits such drinking alcohol or smoking, certain medications or health conditions, and other triggers for their impact on your RLS symptoms. However, because of the newer guidelines being developed for the use of opioids, this should be a last resort. Some people have primary RLS, which has no known cause. Supplementation with iron or vitamins D, C, or E can help certain people with RLS. If you have moderate to severe RLS, your doctor will likely suggest one or more medications. Insurance coverage for a PCD might be easier to acquire for people who can’t tolerate RLS medication (33, 35). The movements caused by RLS are called periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS). End-stage renal (kidney) disease, or ESRD, and nerve damage from diabetes have been linked with RLS. Magnesium mineral supplement use Magnesium therapy for periodic leg movements-related insomnia and restless legs syndrome: an open pilot study. Given its benefits for reducing RLS symptoms and improving sleep, regular exercise is a good habit to develop for people with RLS. The pressure sends messages to your brain, which responds by telling the muscles affected by RLS to relax. One recommendation from the Restless Legs Foundation — exercise in moderation. A 1998 study published in the journal Sleep reported that 10 people suffering from periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) and moderate RLS slept better after taking magnesium supplements. That was the first time I had ever heard of “restless legs syndrome.” However, you should only take a magnesium supplement after consulting with a doctor, as it may interfere with other medications you have been prescribed. For best iron absorption, iron pills should be taken at night on an empty stomach with vitamin C. They should not be taken with food, milk, antacids, calcium supplements or medications used to treat acid reflux and thyroid. Smoking may impair blood flow to leg muscles. Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a condition that causes uncomfortable sensations, most often in the legs. A 2015 study of 38 people with RLS who were treated with acupuncture for six weeks showed that their abnormal leg activity from RLS was greatly reduced (46). Iron deficiency is thought to be one of the main causes of RLS. Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels, often in the legs, that overfill with blood. The light causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing circulation (33). Take a calcium/magnesium supplement at bedtime. You may have heard that testosterone supplements can help in the bedroom. These organizations suggest taking a hot or cold bath before going to bed, or applying hot or cold packs to your legs (18). Here are some exercises and stretches to try. Although there are only a handful of studies done on the link between vitamin B12 and restless leg syndrome, the vitamin is a great supplement to help improve iron levels and protect nerve cells. Sedorum is an excellent example of such combination supplements for restless leg syndrome. Be aware that melatonin supplements may increase leg movements in people with restless legs syndrome RLS. For instance, some researchers suggest that RLS is caused by problems with the brain chemical dopamine, while others suggest that it’s related to poor circulation. Dopaminergic drugs likely help relieve RLS symptoms because the condition is associated with problems in the body’s production of dopamine. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for restless legs syndrome. Examples include: (1, 2, 3). One study showed that regular use of TENS along with a vibration treatment completely relieved one man’s RLS symptoms (33, 45). But given these results, you might want to add some calf and upper leg stretches to your daily exercise routine. A noninvasive treatment that’s not yet in wide use for this purpose could help relieve RLS symptoms. Pregnant women and people with certain conditions sometimes need extra iron. But if your symptoms are moderate to severe, RLS can have a big impact on your life. Because of the effects RLS can have on your life, treatment is important. The sensations usually occur during periods of inactivity, such as when a person has been sitting at a desk for a while or at night after lying down. A vibrating pad called the Relaxis pad may not relieve your RLS symptoms, but it could help you sleep better (4). Clonazepam (Klonopin) and other types of these drugs are often prescribed for people with RLS in combination with other drugs (30). As with all opioids, use of these drugs should be carefully overseen by a doctor, due to their risk of misuse and dependence. Pregnant women with RLS are able to take a little more folic acid as it helps with pregnancy. Exercise can help you feel better if you have RLS. While there’s not a lot of research backing up using heat and cold to relieve RLS symptoms, many healthcare organizations recommend it. Early research suggests that certain cases of restless leg syndrome may be caused by a magnesium deficiency, and that magnesium supplements can reduce RLS symptoms. RLS symptoms typically occur when the person is sitting, resting, or sleeping, and often happen at night. Opiates: Treat pain and can relieve RLS symptoms. Doctors may prescribe these when other medications have failed. With transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a device sends small electrical currents to parts of your body to help relieve pain. 1,2 Whatever the reason, some research has shown that pneumatic compression can help relieve RLS symptoms. Folic acid can be taken as supplements or through foods, such as peanuts, garbanzo beans, lentils and spinach in its naturally occurring form, folate. In a 2008 study, 35 people with SVI and RLS had a procedure called endovenous laser ablation to treat their varicose veins. Periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS), with or without symptoms of a restless legs syndrome (RLS), may cause sleep disturbances. You should discuss with your doctor how your health history might impact your RLS, especially if you have any of these conditions. Try the following tips to make your sleep as restful and restorative as possible. However, it has been shown to improve sleep (33). Codeine and propoxyphene are … It could help relieve RLS symptoms by improving circulation in your legs. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. You place the pad on the affected area, such as your leg, and set it to the desired vibration intensity. Restless legs syndrome may also be an indication of a more serious problem: low iron. A 35-year-old woman who had 45-minute leg massages twice a week for three weeks had improved RLS symptoms throughout that time period. Methods of treatment are varied, as the root cause of RLS isn’t truly known. For people with certain circulatory issues, surgery could be the most effective treatment for their RLS (12). Benzodiazepines are drugs used to treat anxiety and sleep problems. One study treated 21 people with RLS with NIRS three times per week for four weeks. Find out how vitamin B12 is the best vitamin to help supplement the management of restless leg syndrome. Also, massage has been shown to improve circulation, so that might be a reason for its effects on RLS (20, 21, 22). Massaging your leg muscles could help ease your RLS symptoms. Unfortunately magnesium deficiency is common in our modern society due to soil depletion. And a 2012 study showed that yoga improved sleep in 20 women with RLS (15, 16). In fact, one study found it to be as effective in improving sleep as the four FDA-approved RLS drugs: ropinirole, pramipexole, gabapentin, and rotigotine (36). Can Testosterone Supplements Improve Your Sex Drive? Prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone (Targinact) is one opioid that could help relieve RLS symptoms and improve sleep (4). Your first step in addressing RLS should be to figure out if something is causing it. This phenomenon is called augmentation. Acupuncture can be helpful in the treatment of many health conditions, and RLS might be one of them. Given these studies, plus others showing that activity can help improve sleep, exercise seems a natural fit for people with RLS (13). The above treatments have some research to support their use. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, usually because of an uncomfortable sensation. Keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another, and you may need to try several different drugs or treatments. Of the 35 people, 84 percent of them had their RLS symptoms significantly improved or completely eliminated by the surgery (47). Doctors have known since the 1950s that taking iron can help people with restless legs syndrome, even if the person does not have anemia. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The sessions significantly improved their RLS symptoms and improved their sleep. However, take iron supplements only with medical supervision and after your doctor has checked your blood-iron level.If you have RLS/WED without an associated condition, treatment focuses on lifestyle changes. Having good sleep habits is advisable for anyone, but perhaps especially for people who have trouble sleeping, such as those with RLS. In some cases, intravenous (IV) iron might be needed (1, 8). Dopamine is a chemical that helps enable normal body movements (1). And a 2006 study of 23 people with RLS found that aerobic exercise and lower body resistance training, done three times per week for 12 weeks, significantly decreased RLS symptoms (11). You use the vibrating pad while you’re at rest or sleeping. This painless treatment is called near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Folic acid – Folic is one of the best supplements for restless leg syndrome around, but you want to make sure not to take too much. As a result, the blood pools in your legs. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. A placebo-controlled study found that pills with 325 mg of ferrous sulfate twice a day for three months reduced the symptoms of restless legs syndrome (Sleep Medicine, online February 18, 2009). There are many remedies, lifestyle changes, and … Several studies have found this treatment effective. And for people on hemodialysis, vitamins C and E supplements may help relieve RLS symptoms (4, 10). This could explain the benefits of these hot or cold treatments. Magnesium Malate. Some of these you can try on your own. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This is an antiseizure medication (27). Your doctor can provide more information about each of these treatments and which one — or ones — might be a good choice for you. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) creates abnormal sensations—usually in the legs, but sometime in the arms, body, or head—which lead to a relentless urge to relieve the feeling (restlessness). The Relaxis pad is available only by prescription from your doctor. While RLS can be related to things that are largely out of your control, such as genetics or pregnancy, other possible factors can be addressed. All rights reserved. Research suggests magnesium deficiencies can contribute to restless leg syndrome (RLS). Of course, you can try hot and cold treatments on your own, but your doctor can tell you more about the other treatments and whether they might be able to help you. Sedorum contains magnesium, iron, folic acid, calcium, and vitamin B 12, all proven to be effective in providing relief for restless leg syndrome. 9 results found for Restless-Legs-Syndrome-Rls, Learn about User Reviews and read IMPORTANT information about user generated content. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, both of which can make symptoms worse. However, other research has not shown the same effects (33, 34). A 2013 eight-week study of 10 women found that yoga helped reduce their RLS symptoms. These factors could be daily habits, medications you’re taking, health conditions you have, or other triggers. The vibrating Relaxis pad requires a prescription and costs over $600. This helps relieve your RLS symptoms (31). Like walking, the toe … Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. It can prevent you from sleeping enough, and thus cause problems with daytime focus and thinking, your job, and your social activities. A fourth drug that’s been approved by the FDA to treat RLS is called gabapentin (Horizant). Magnesium is a mineral that most people are not getting enough of in their diet and evidence has pointed to this mineral being among the most compelling nutrients for getting rid of RLS. The average American gets all the iron they need from the food they eat. Follow the links to read common uses, side effects, dosage details and read user reviews for the drugs listed below. All rights reserved. Some researchers believe that a cause of RLS is low oxygen levels in the limbs. Click here to see the magnesium … It can even spread to other parts of your body, such as your arms (1). It typically happens in the evening or nighttime hours when you're sitting or lying down. Are you wondering how drugs can treat restless legs syndrome? Considering taking a vitamin or supplement to treat Restless+Leg+Syndrome? Permission is granted for individuals to use the content of this web site for personal reasons, including obtaining information to help deal with the symptoms of RLS. The author of that study suggested that the increased release of dopamine caused by massage could be a reason for the benefits. Dr. Willis in his description of this disease in 1685 also rep… Vitamin B2 – Not to be confused with vitamin B complex, vitamin B2 is a … In some cases, usually when other medications aren’t helpful or cause augmentation, opioids can be used carefully in low doses to help treat RLS (26, 8). To help delay or prevent both of these problems, your doctor may prescribe a combination of dopaminergic drugs with other types of drugs to treat RLS (1). Results from research on this device have been conflicted. It’s not entirely clear to researchers why yoga and stretching works, and more research would be beneficial. Your doctor can tell you if trying supplements would be a good idea for you. Those treated with gabapentin had improved sleep and reduced leg movements from RLS, while those treated with a placebo did not (28). Several studies have shown that iron supplements can help ease RLS symptoms (1, 3). When you take too much of magnesium it might affect the balance of calcium & magnesium. Limiting these substances could help reduce your RLS symptoms (2). They think that the body responds to this problem by increasing circulation via the muscle contractions that occur when the person moves their limb (33). Magnesium may be one of the most popular natural supplements for restless leg syndrome, and it isn’t hard to see why. The restiffic foot wrap requires a prescription and an initial monetary investment, but could provide RLS relief by applying pressure on certain points on the bottom of the foot. While these drugs may not relieve RLS symptoms themselves, their benefit of improved sleep can be very helpful for people with RLS (30). Go to sleep and wake up at the same times each day. And the longer you have the condition, the worse it can get. A 2009 study of 35 people who used a PCD for at least an hour every day for a month had markedly improved RLS symptoms, sleep quality, and daytime function. Conditions of Use and Important Information: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. To help delay this problem, doctors typically prescribe the lowest possible dose of these drugs (1, 26). Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation (Tax ID #56-1784846). In one study, 24 people with RLS were treated with gabapentin or a placebo for six weeks. Vitamin E can help improve the circulation of blood throughout the legs, thus decreasing pain, cramping and discomfort. It’s thought that the increased circulation caused by NIRS increases that oxygen level, helping to relieve the RLS symptoms (33). The idea is that like the Relaxis vibrating pad, it uses counterstimulation. The idea behind the pad is that the vibrations provide “counterstimulation.” That is, they override the uncomfortable sensations caused by RLS so you feel the vibrations instead of your symptoms (33). Learn how magnesium supplements may help treat RLS. With NIRS, light beams with long wavelengths are used to penetrate the skin. Researchers say these cells may become overactive in people with this condition. 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