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How Do You Get Rid of Restless Leg Syndrome Fast?

Reviewed on 10/16/2020

Definition
- What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Symptoms
- What Are Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome?
Causes
- What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?
- How Is Restless Leg Syndrome Diagnosed?
Treatment
- What Is the Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome?
Complications
- What Are Complications of Restless Leg Syndrome?
Prevention
- How Do You Prevent Restless Leg Syndrome?
Guide
- How Do You Get Rid of Restless Leg Syndrome Fast? Topic Guide

What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Lifestyle changes and treatment for underlying conditions is the only way to get rid of restless leg syndrome in the long term.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS, and also sometimes called Willis-Ekbom disease) is a condition that causes strange sensations in the legs along with the urge to move the legs at night, which can make it difficult to fall asleep.

What Are Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome?

Symptoms of restless legs syndrome include:

An uncomfortable urge to move the legs when at rest
The feeling is often described as crawling, creeping, pulling, or itching
Feeling is deep in the legs, usually below the knees
Symptoms usually worsen as the day progresses, and are worst at night
Symptoms may be particularly bad when trying to stay still
Legs may move on their own while the person is asleep
Symptoms may go away when a person moves their legs

A consequence of restless legs syndrome is that it can make it difficult to get a restful night's sleep, so people with RLS may feel tired during the day.

What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?

In most cases, restless legs syndrome has no known cause (primary RLS). Some causes of restless legs syndrome may include:

Genetics: it may be passed on in families
Iron deficiency anemia: low levels of iron in the blood seem to increase the risk of RLS
Dysfunction in the basal ganglia in the brain: this part of the brain controls movement and relates to the use of a neurotransmitter called dopamine

Conditions that can increase the risk of developing restless legs syndrome include:

Kidney disease, including end stage renal disease (ESRD)
Diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
Nerve damage (neuropathy)
Use of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine
Certain medications that can aggravate RLS symptoms
- Antinausea drugs (e.g. prochlorperazine or metoclopramide)
- Antipsychotic drugs (e.g., haloperidol or phenothiazine derivatives)
- Antidepressants that increase serotonin (e.g., fluoxetine or sertraline)
- Some cold and allergy medications that contain older antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine)
Sleep deprivation and other sleep conditions such as sleep apnea
Pregnancy, especially in the last trimester
- Most of the time, symptoms go away within a month after delivery

SLIDESHOW

Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, and More See Slideshow

How Is Restless Leg Syndrome Diagnosed?

Restless legs syndrome is often diagnosed by a doctor based on a patient's symptoms, along with a physical and neurological exam.

Laboratory tests may be indicated to rule out other conditions such as kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, or pregnancy that can cause RLS symptoms.

Blood tests can identify iron deficiencies and other medical disorders
A sleep study may be indicated, where patients spend the night in a lab hooked up to different machines that monitor movements, heart rate, breathing, and other body functions to help diagnose sleep apnea or other sleep disorders

What Is the Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome may go away fast if you move your legs. Other lifestyle modifications and treatments that may relieve RLS symptoms include:

Keeping alert during the day with activities that stimulate the brain, such as crossword puzzles
Regular exercise
Leg massage
Heating pads applied to the legs or a warm bath
Avoiding medications that can worsen RLS symptoms such as antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
Avoiding or limiting tobacco use
Treating sleep apnea

If medical treatment is needed for restless leg syndrome, medications include:

Iron supplements
Pramipexole (Mirapex)
Ropinirole (Requip)
Rotigotine (Neupro)
Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet)
Gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant)
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Pregabalin (Lyrica)
Opioids may be prescribed to treat patients with severe symptoms of RLS who do not respond well to other medications

A device called Relaxis is an FDA-approved pad to treat RLS. The patient lies on the pad in bed, and the pad delivers vibrations that gradually ramp down and shut off. It can be an alternative for patients who do not wish to interrupt their sleep by getting up to move their legs, or who do not wish to use medications.

In people with restless leg syndrome who also have kidney failure, symptoms of RLS may improve with hemodialysis treatment.

What Are Complications of Restless Leg Syndrome?

The main complication of restless leg syndrome is insomnia.

How Do You Prevent Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome tends to be a lifelong condition but patients may be able to prevent symptoms in some cases with lifestyle changes, such as:

Staying alert during the day with activities that stimulate the brain, such as crossword puzzles
Exercising regularly
Massaging the legs
Appling heating pads to the legs or taking a warm bath
Avoiding medications that can worsen RLS symptoms such as antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
Avoiding or limiting tobacco use
Treating sleep apnea

Reviewed on 10/16/2020

References