What Are The Treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome
If you have crawling, creepy and tingly feelings in legs, particularly at night, there’s a good chance you have a condition known as restless leg syndrome, or RLS for short. These sensations give you an overwhelming and irresistible urge to move your affected leg or legs.
Because RLS can be relentless, it can cause sleep problems and lead to anxiety and depression. It can impact your work performance and relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. And the longer you have the condition, the sensations and symptoms can get worse. That’s why it’s important if you are suffering from restless leg syndrome, you seek out treatment. But what are RLS treatments?
Because of these movements, RLS can cause serious sleep problems.
Treatment for RLS
For your physician to treat your restless legs, they must first find out if there are any underlying illnesses causing the condition.
Treating anemia or vitamin deficiencies. Blood tests can rule out an iron deficiency. If anemia is the cause more tests may be needed to diagnose what’s causing your anemia, or you may need to take iron supplements.
Fixing varicose veins. If your vein doctor or vascular surgeon diagnoses you with varicose veins, he can repair the veins and improve your circulation.
Adjusting lifestyle factors. Certain lifestyle factors can be the culprit for your RLS symptoms. If you smoke, quitting may significantly diminish your feelings. Reducing or eliminating alcohol and caffeine may do the trip. Exercising and getting better sleep helps some individuals.
Getting a foot wrap. A foot wrap known as restiffic may help to relieve the crawling, tingling sensations you’re experiencing. The wrap places pressure on the bottom of your foot, thereby sending signals to your brain telling your muscles to calm down and relax.
Enjoying massage. the National Sleep Foundation and National Institutes of Health suggest that massage of your leg muscles may help to calm your restless legs symptoms.
Participating in Exercise. The National Institutes of Health suggests that exercising, particularly in the form of yoga (which involves stretching) your muscles could help to ease RLS symptoms. The added benefit is that exercise helps with sleep, which many people with RLS struggle with.
Dopaminergic Medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three of these drugs for treating moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome.
Other potential beneficial treatments for the symptoms of RLS include:
- Pneumatic compression devices
- Acupuncture
- Light therapy
- Medication adjustment
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
- Getting evaluated and treated for diabetes
- Getting evaluated and treated for kidney failure
- Getting evaluated and treated for peripheral neuropathy
- Getting evaluated and treated for rheumatoid arthritis
If you are experiencing creepy, crawling and tingling feelings in your legs, schedule an appointment to see Dr. Kimmel in our Boca Raton vein treatment center for an examination to see if you might have RLS and begin treatment.