What Restless Legs Syndrome Is and How To Manage It
Restless Legs Syndrome is a sleep disorder that affects around 10% of American adults and 2% of American children, but how do you know if you have it? Is there anything you can do to manage it? There are a specific set of symptoms that go along with RLS and you can get sleep treatment in Birmingham or your local area in addition to making lifestyle changes. Have a look at the indicators and common treatments here.
Symptoms
RLS is most often diagnosed in patients over the age of 50. People with Restless Legs Syndrome have the overwhelming need to shake or rub their arms or legs due to uncomfortable sensations. You may experience itching or the pins and needles associated with limbs “falling asleep,” but without the numbness. It happens most often when you are at rest and improving only with activity. Because of this, it may hit during sleep causing you to toss and turn. You may feel the need to walk the floor or rub your legs. Your sleep is disrupted, leaving you feeling groggy during the day and you may have involuntary limb twitching while awake or asleep.
Medical Treatment
After seeking medical attention for RLS, your doctor may prescribe medications. There are several types of pills that may help. Anticonvulsants can help still your limbs and relieve any nerve pain. You could also try pills that decrease involuntary movement through neurons in the brain or ones that increase dopamine to relieve uncomfortable sensations. As a last resort, a doctor may also prescribe opiates to relieve symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
After seeking sleep treatment in Birmingham or your own hometown, there are several things you can try at home to increase the effectiveness of medication.
Watch what other medications you’re taking that may make symptoms worse. For example, some mental health drugs, tummy medicines and cold and flu medications may increase instances of RLS. Talk to your doctor about changes that may need to be made or before starting something new.
Creating a stretching routine for your affected limbs may help counter the ugly feelings during an attack. If you’re going to be sitting for a period of time, be sure to choose a seat where you can get up and move around on occasion. You can also massage your legs to relieve symptoms.
Hot or cold compresses or a hot bath may relax your legs into behaving for the night. They may also sidetrack your nerves that go haywire during a bout of RLS.
Eating healthily and making sure you have the right supplements can also help with RLS. People with Restless Legs Syndrome are often low in iron or magnesium. Just make sure your doctor knows what you’re taking so they can apprise you of any side effects. Caffeine and alcohol are a no-no. Caffeine makes it difficult to rest and alcohol will wake you up in the middle of the night leading to more RLS issues.
Overall, there’s a lot you can do to decrease instances of RLS and make yourself comfortable after seeking sleep treatment in Birmingham. While these tricks won’t completely reverse the effects, they can make living with it more manageable.
Symptoms
RLS is most often diagnosed in patients over the age of 50. People with Restless Legs Syndrome have the overwhelming need to shake or rub their arms or legs due to uncomfortable sensations. You may experience itching or the pins and needles associated with limbs “falling asleep,” but without the numbness. It happens most often when you are at rest and improving only with activity. Because of this, it may hit during sleep causing you to toss and turn. You may feel the need to walk the floor or rub your legs. Your sleep is disrupted, leaving you feeling groggy during the day and you may have involuntary limb twitching while awake or asleep.
Medical Treatment
After seeking medical attention for RLS, your doctor may prescribe medications. There are several types of pills that may help. Anticonvulsants can help still your limbs and relieve any nerve pain. You could also try pills that decrease involuntary movement through neurons in the brain or ones that increase dopamine to relieve uncomfortable sensations. As a last resort, a doctor may also prescribe opiates to relieve symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
After seeking sleep treatment in Birmingham or your own hometown, there are several things you can try at home to increase the effectiveness of medication.
Watch what other medications you’re taking that may make symptoms worse. For example, some mental health drugs, tummy medicines and cold and flu medications may increase instances of RLS. Talk to your doctor about changes that may need to be made or before starting something new.
Creating a stretching routine for your affected limbs may help counter the ugly feelings during an attack. If you’re going to be sitting for a period of time, be sure to choose a seat where you can get up and move around on occasion. You can also massage your legs to relieve symptoms.
Hot or cold compresses or a hot bath may relax your legs into behaving for the night. They may also sidetrack your nerves that go haywire during a bout of RLS.
Eating healthily and making sure you have the right supplements can also help with RLS. People with Restless Legs Syndrome are often low in iron or magnesium. Just make sure your doctor knows what you’re taking so they can apprise you of any side effects. Caffeine and alcohol are a no-no. Caffeine makes it difficult to rest and alcohol will wake you up in the middle of the night leading to more RLS issues.
Overall, there’s a lot you can do to decrease instances of RLS and make yourself comfortable after seeking sleep treatment in Birmingham. While these tricks won’t completely reverse the effects, they can make living with it more manageable.
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