About this topic
Restless legs syndrome causes you to have strange feelings in your leg that are not comfortable. This most often happens in the lower leg between the knee and the ankle. The problem often goes away after you move your legs or take a walk. It may happen more at night or if you sit for long periods of time. Your legs may feel achy, tingly, or may throb. Sometimes, you may feel a pulling, crawling, creeping, or burning feeling in your leg. Itching and cramping are also signs of restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome may only affect one side of the body, but most often it affects both. ‚
Restless legs syndrome can cause problems falling asleep or getting a good nights sleep. Treatment may include drugs, easing your signs, and lifestyle changes. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take a warm bath. Massage your legs in the warm water.
- Exercise during the day, but do not exercise close to bedtime.
- Try doing some gentle leg stretches.
- Practice good sleep habits. Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time each day.
- Try ice or heat to see if your problems lessen. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel on your leg or legs. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. If you use a heating pad on your legs, do not leave it on for more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns. Alternating heat and ice may help lessen signs.
- Avoid smoking or drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). Tobacco and alcohol can make signs worse.
- Try doing a crossword or another type of puzzle right before bed. This may help you to focus on something else and fall asleep easier.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help you sleep
- Ease the signs
- Build up your iron, folate, and magnesium levels if you have low levels in your blood
Will physical activity be limited?
Your activity should not be limited. You may ease your signs by moving your legs. Try jiggling your legs, walking, or stretching. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Lack of sleep
- Trouble performing daily living and work tasks
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Low mood
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Look for ways to avoid stress. Try meditation, yoga, tai chi, or deep breathing.
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time.
- When traveling by plane, get up and move around at times. When taking long car trips, make stops to stretch your legs and walk.
- Avoid liquids and foods that have caffeine in them.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Have trouble sleeping
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what to do to help with the feelings in my legs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble sleeping.
Where can I learn more?
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/rls/ ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/detail_restless_legs.htm ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/288/viewAbstract ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/restless-leg-syndrome/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚