Can restless legs syndrome symptoms go away?
What is Restless Legs Syndrome?
Restless legs syndrome aka RLS makes you want to move your legs with a strong urge. It is a nervous system disorder. RLS is also called Willis-Ekbom disease/WED. It is more common in women and middle-aged people. Considered being a sleep disorder as it happens mostly at night and while resting. If left untreated, its symptoms can worsen.
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A troubled sleep cycle results considerably affects your personal and professional life. A person who has RLS gets subjected to daytime sleepiness, mood swings, and exhaustion. It gets triggered by long hours of sitting in one place, so traveling becomes difficult as well.
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Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms
The restless legs syndrome symptoms include:
- Aching
- Crawling
- Itching
- Pins and needles
- Pulling
- Throbbing
Can restless legs syndrome affect your whole body?
Yes! Restless legs syndrome is not just confined to the legs. It can also happen in the head, arms, or chest. Both sides of the body are equally subjected to it.
Does everybody experience the same Restless legs syndrome symptoms?
No. The intensity of the RLS symptoms, duration, and frequency varies from person to person. The symptoms are the worst in the evening and the night. They range from moderate to unbearable.Â
In moderate cases, the symptoms happen once or twice a week. Once it gets severe, the symptoms occur three or more times a week. This causes grogginess and laziness the next day.
Restless Legs Syndrome Causes
Although, scientists have not reached the root of the problem of restless legs syndrome (RLS) yet. Most of the people who experience it have a family history. Clearly, it has to do something with the genes.
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Other studies have also suggested that RLS is linked to the impairment of a part of the brain-Basal Ganglia– that is responsible for movement. Basal Ganglia uses the brain chemical dopamine. Dopamine is important for the smooth and purposeful activity of muscle and its movement.
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Any considerable changes in these pathways result in involuntary movements. For e.g.; people suffering from Parkinson’s disease are more likely to get RLS.
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Other causes can be:
1. Pregnancy
Some women experience RLS during the last trimester of pregnancy. Do not worry. The restless legs syndrome symptoms vanish after a month of delivery.
2. Chronic diseases
Evidently, medicines that are taken for long-term ailments lead to RLS symptoms. These medicines include:
- Diabetes
- Iron deficiency
- Kidney failure
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Renal disease
- Neuropathy
3. Medications
There are a few medicines that may aggravate the restless legs syndrome symptoms. They include:
- Antiallergy and cold medicines with antihistamines
- Antinausea medicines
- Antipsychotic drugs
- A few antidepressants
4. Lifestyle
Many lifestyle adaptations can trigger RLS symptoms, like:
- Inadequate sleep
- Sleep disorders like sleep apnea
- Smoking
- Alcoholism
- Caffeine addiction
Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnosis
 There is no such diagnosis of RLS. Your doctor will discuss signs and symptoms with your sleep partner. He may run a few blood and neuropathy tests to rule out any other medical condition.
Restless Legs Syndrome Home Treatment
Although there is no cure for RLS, treatments can considerably help you to get your much-needed night’s sleep.
- If your doctor has found an iron deficiency in you, then he will guide you to increase your iron intake through diet and supplements.
- Regular exercise will help lessen the symptoms. It will also improve the sleep cycle.
- Fix hot comforting baths for yourself.
- Use hot or cold treatment.
- Regularly massage oil on your legs
- Set up a sleep schedule and follow it religiously.
- Quit smoking and drinking.
- Limit your caffeine intake.
These lifestyle changes will considerably improve your RLS symptoms without any medical intervention.
Restless Legs Syndrome Medications
Once RLS happens, you can easily manage its symptoms through medication. There is no cure for it.
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A few options to choose from are:
1. Dopamine-increasing drugs
These medicines greatly decrease leg movements.
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The drugs include Ropinirole, Rotigotine, or Pramipexole
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Side effects
- Nausea
- Mild lightheadedness
These medications may get less effective with time and could rather aggravate the condition.
2. Anticonvulsants
With the help of these medications, sensory disturbances can be greatly lessened. The medicines include:
Pregabalin, Gabapentin, or Gabapentin Enacarbil
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Side effects
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
It’s a trial-and-hit method to finally find the medication that well-suits you.
3. Narcotics
These medications are muscle relaxants and greatly decrease strange sensations and pain.
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Medications include:
Oxycodone, Codeine, Combined Oxycodone, and Acetaminophen, or Combined Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen.
Side effects
- Dizziness
- Nausea
These medicines are very addicting and strong. Do not use narcotics if you have sleep apnea.
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4. Muscle relaxants and sleep enhancers
Although, these medicines help you in relaxing and aid in sleep. But they do not completely resolve the symptoms. Medicines include Zolpidem, Eszopiclone, Zaleplon,Temazepam, or Clonazepam
Side effects
- Daytime sleepiness.
Takeaway
With proper home remedies, treatment, and lifestyle changes, your restless legs syndrome symptoms will considerably lower to completely disappear. It all varies from person to person.
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If the symptoms aggravate with time, then do keep your doctor in the loop.
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Talking to friends and family or joining an RLS support group and having healthy discussions will also help you in the long run.