What to do
- Apparently, the movement of the legs seems to be the only effective remedy to alleviate the symptoms of restless legs syndrome
- Massage the legs to relax the muscles involved
- Patients with restless leg syndrome often complain of poor and restful sleep. In this regard, sleep hygiene is recommended: sleeping in a cool and comfortable environment, going to bed at the same time, not having dinner with heavy food, not going to bed immediately after a meal
- Bathing in hot water can somehow alleviate leg pain
- Follow meditation and yoga courses, useful remedies both to get better control of your body and to relax
- Practice sports and stretching exercises regularly
- Alternate hot and cold packs on the legs: heat and cold can alleviate the annoying perception in the limbs
- Supplementation of generous doses of folic acid and vitamin B12 during pregnancy helps alleviate limb pain in future mothers with restless legs syndrome (as well as preventing spina bifida in the unborn child).
- Contact your doctor from the very first symptoms, reporting all the sensations you perceive
What NOT to do
- Take many foods or beverages containing caffeine. It appears that reducing caffeine consumption helps alleviate symptoms of restless legs syndrome, at least for some patients. Foods rich in caffeine are called nervini : coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate and cola-type drinks (maté, cola nut and guarana) add caffeine in varying amounts
- Take alcohol: alcohol aggravates the symptoms of restless legs syndrome
- Smoking: smoking can weigh heavily on the clinical picture of the patient suffering from the RLS syndrome.
- Use antiepileptic / anxiolytic / opioid drugs for long periods: similar behavior can even aggravate the symptoms of restless legs syndrome
What to eat
- It is recommended to follow a healthy and balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables and free from excess (especially during the evening meal)
- No specific food can improve the clinical picture of the patient with restless leg syndrome
- Take foods that provide iron: even dietary iron deficiency can predispose the patient to restless legs syndrome. In this regard, foods rich in iron are recommended (although, in general, supplementation with iron is required)
What NOT to Eat
- Given the poor quality of sleep of those suffering from restless legs syndrome, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of heavy, fat-rich foods and complex carbohydrates before going to bed. A dinner that is too large could hinder sleep.
- Even the administration of foods rich in caffeine can hinder sleep: for this purpose, it is advisable to reduce their consumption, especially before going to bed
Natural Cures and Remedies
- Natural remedies can alleviate some symptoms without directly interacting with the cause. Given that restless legs syndrome reflects a sleep disorder, affected patients can take herbal teas or relaxing infusions, to promote relaxation before bedtime.
- Valeriana ( Valeriana officinalis ) → hypnotic, anticonvulsive, sedative properties of the central nervous system
- Lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis ) → antispasmodic, sedative properties
- Passiflora ( Passiflora incarnata L.) → anxiolytic, sedative properties
- Chamomile ( Chamomilla recutita ) → mild anxiolytic and sedative properties
- Hypericum ( Hypericum perforatum L.) → natural antidepressant: many patients suffering from restless leg syndrome complain of depression-like symptoms. In this sense, hypericum can exert discreet antidepressant properties. Pay particular attention to the concomitant intake of hypericum and drugs: the natural drug can interact with synthetic active ingredients, modifying their absorption. Consult your doctor.
- Mucuna ( Mucuna pruriens ) → natural source of L-DoPA, besides being particularly useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, could be particularly useful also in case of restless legs syndrome
Pharmacological care
- When restless leg syndrome depends on severe iron deficiency in the diet, martial therapy (iron supplementation): ferrous sulfate (eg ferrograd), iron dextran (eg ATI 100 solution for injection), iron carbonyl is required. (eg Icar) are the most indicated drugs.
- Women in labor affected by RLS should take more doses of folic acid and vitamin B12
- To placate the uncontrolled movements of the legs, the patient with restless legs syndrome can take:
- anxiolytic / sedative drugs
- antiparkinson drugs
- opioid drugs
- antiepileptic drugs
- However, remember that not all patients suffering from restless legs syndrome need drug treatment. Always consult your doctor before taking medication.
Prevention
- It seems that practicing muscle relaxation techniques can somehow prevent the onset of restless legs syndrome in predisposed subjects.
Medical treatments
- Treatment depends on the underlying cause. For example, when restless legs syndrome depends on the presence of varicose veins, the patient is usually subjected to sclerotherapy or other treatments necessary to solve the basic problem.
- Kidney transplantation is an exceptional medical treatment for patients with restless legs syndrome in the context of severe kidney disease.
