When Your Legs Are Restless

Restless Leg Syndrome is an odd but highly disturbing condition that can afflict people of all ages, even children. If you suffer from this malady, you may have trouble getting people to understand that it's no laughing matter. RLS can make your life miserable and affect all aspects of your daily routine. You need to understand RLS and know how to treat it in order to improve your life.

Symptoms

RLS causes uncomfortable sensations in your legs such as pain and muscle pulling that are relieved when you move your legs. In fact, RLS usually occurs at night when you are trying to fall asleep. When you lie still, the symptoms start up, so you tend to kick and twitch to stop the discomfort. As a result, you are unable to fall asleep immediately and may actually struggle to fall asleep for hours every night. The resulting sleep deficit is harmful to your health and can make work and social relationships difficult. The condition doesn't always strike at night, however. If you are sitting still for any length of time, your legs can begin to hurt. As a result, simply attending a wedding can make you uncomfortable unless you continually move your legs during the ceremony. Attending classes can become agonizing. Some sufferers experience symptoms sporadically, while others suffer numerous times per week. Getting up and pacing may give you relief, but doing so will definitely not help your sleep issue.

Treatment

You can try several strategies on your own to relieve this condition. You can try moderate exercise, but you should not strain your legs or exercise too close to bedtime. In short, jogging several miles after work is not a good idea. A healthy walk each morning, on the other hand, can be helpful. You can also make certain that you are getting enough of the right vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B, iron, and magnesium. Sometimes, OTC pain relievers help. If these actions are not effective, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications. However, these meds can have unpleasant side-effects, so try non-drug therapies first.

Restless Leg Syndrome is a real problem for millions of Americans. As ailments go, RLS may not sound serious, but it can impair your ability to function. Insomnia is probably the worse symptom of this condition because if you can't sleep, your overall health suffers. Try some strategies at home and seek help from your physician if necessary.