RLS is surprisingly common
with it being estimated that there are at least 12 million
sufferers in the US alone with the figure thought to
be much higher because of incorrect diagnosis or the
symptoms of RLS being attributed to other conditions
such as insomnia, stress, muscle cramps or ageing.
Restless leg syndrome is exactly as it sounds –
an unpleasant sensation in the legs and an uncontrollable
urge to move the legs while you are trying to rest
- so that you end up getting no rest at all. These
sensations can vary from just plain uncomfortable,
to irritating, to being really painful. Apart from
occurring whilst you are in bed, the syndrome can
also happen during long car trips or long distance
flights, while watching a movie or while trying to
do relaxation exercises. Another instance is if you
have an arm or a leg immobilized by a cast.
There are certainly ways in which you can help the
RLS condition at home through treatment and home,
particularly if you are suffering from a mild version
of the syndrome.
During the day:
• Reduce or preferably cut out altogether,
caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.
• Be tested for possible low iron levels in
your system so that you can take iron supplements
if necessary.
• Try wrapping your legs in ace bandages or
wear compression stockings to see if this helps the
situation.
• If you sit for long periods of time at work,
start an exercise program so that for 5 minutes every
hour, you get up, stretch and walk around. Use your
lunch break to exercise, go for a walk or even a quick
jog. Do leg stretching exercises frequently.
• Use a natural healing product especially designed
for massaging into the affected area on your legs
and produced from essential oils. Such a product can
be easily ordered on line over the internet. You will
find it very helpful.
• If you have to go on a long car trip or long
distance air flight, make sure you book an aisle seat
so that you can exercise and stretch, or just walk
around as frequently as possible.
• Keep a sleep schedule – this is a very
useful record to show your doctor should your RLS
become more severe and require medical attention.
When going to bed:
• Try pacing, walking or jogging for a few
minutes beforehand as this should ease any discomfort.
• Stretch your legs, do knee bends or rotate
the ankles.
• Massage your legs – you can use that
same natural healing product to massage into the affected
areas at bedtime too.
• Relax with meditation, yoga or deep breathing.
• Have a bath or soak your feet in hot water.
You can try applying a hot water bottle or heating
pad. Other people find comfort from a cold compress.
See which method suits and helps you.
• Try lying on your side with a pillow between
your knees.
In many mild cases of RLS, you will find that these
different home care treatment methods will be very
helpful in enabling you to get rest, relaxation and
sleep.
However, if nothing is helping and your RLS is obviously
more severe, then please seek medical help. You will
need to insist on a correct diagnosis and help with
treatment.
One good way of getting to the root of the problem,
is to spend a night in a sleep lab so that proper
observation and monitoring can be carried out to rule
out any other sleep disorder. You need to then get
to the cause of RLS in your particular case. It can
even be a secondary condition which is brought on
by another condition such as Parkinson’s disease,
pregnancy, spinal cord injury, particular medications,
sleep apnea or carcolepsy, varicose veins, thyroid
problems and much more.
