What treatments are available for RLS?
Regardless of the cause of RLS, rest assured that help is at hand to treat and manage the condition.
If you have only mild symptoms, lifestyle modification may be enough. However, if your symptoms are bothersome and disruptive, you will most likely require a medication.
Manage stress | RLS symptoms get worse when you are under stress or anxious. Practice yoga and meditation. Develop relaxing habits to help you feel more calm. |
Cut down on or
stop drinking Alcohol | Alcohol is known to worsen RLS symptoms, so be cautious about drinking in the evening. |
Caffeine | For some people with RLS, caffeine is a trigger. However, in others, caffeine may improve symptoms. To understand your response, try cutting out coffee, tea, and soft drinks and monitor your symptoms. |
Exercise and Stretch | Daily exercise including both aerobic and muscle stretching can significantly improve RLS symptoms. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Be patient since symptoms will first become worse, before you start to notice an improvement. If vigorous exercise makes your symptoms worse, avoid it and stick with lower intensity exercise.
Simple stretching exercises can be very helpful in reducing your symptoms. |
What lifestyle modifications will help reduce my RLS symptoms?
Manage stress
RLS symptoms get worse when you are under stress or anxious. Practice yoga and meditation. Develop relaxing habits to help you feel more calm.
Cut down on or
stop drinking Alcohol
Alcohol is known to worsen RLS symptoms, so be cautious about drinking in the evening.
Stop Smoking
Nicotine is a stimulant that impairs blood flow to muscles and can make restless legs worse, so it’s best to avoid smoking.
Caffeine
For some people with RLS, caffeine is a trigger. However, in others, caffeine may improve symptoms. To understand your response, try cutting out coffee, tea, and soft drinks and monitor your symptoms.
Exercise and Stretch
Daily exercise including both aerobic and muscle stretching can significantly improve RLS symptoms. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Be patient since symptoms will first become worse, before you start to notice an improvement. If vigorous exercise makes your symptoms worse, avoid it and stick with lower intensity exercise.
Simple stretching exercises can be very helpful in reducing your symptoms.
Medications:
If your symptoms are bothersome, you will most likely require a medication. RLS can be treated with dopamine agonist and antiepileptic medications (gabapentin). Treating iron deficiency will be required if deficiency is found. Even people with normal iron levels, may benefit with treatment if their ferritin level (transport protein for iron) < 75 micrograms/ dl.
