Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment Questions and Answers

Restless legs syndrome can have a negative impact on the quality of sleep because the condition occurs when resting and can make it difficult to fall asleep. Concerns about sleep are one of the main reasons people seek medical care for restless legs syndrome. As many as 10 percent of American adults may be experiencing restless legs syndrome, and the condition is more common in women than it is in men. The risk of restless legs syndrome also increases with age and is much more prominent in middle-aged and older populations. Moderate to severe RLS symptoms are typically bothersome enough to require treatment, with the majority of these cases caused by another disorder. This is known as secondary RLS. When the underlying disorder is treated, symptoms of RLS will usually resolve or significantly improve. In the vast majority of cases of RLS, people also report at least one additional sleep disorder, such as insomnia, periodic limb movement disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

There are many different causes of restless legs syndrome (RLS), although in some cases, it may not be evident. Sometimes RLS is associated with other medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) late-stage kidney disease, neuropathy, iron deficiency, or Parkinson’s disease. RLS can also occur during pregnancy, with around a fifth of women developing RLS sometime during the third trimester. The symptoms of RLS typically decline after giving birth. Although the cause is evident in some cases, there are other cases where the cause is unknown. RLS may also have a genetic component. The main triggers for RLS include sitting or resting, although other factors can make symptoms worse. These include:

– Alcohol consumption
– Caffeine intake
– Nicotine use
– Sleep deprivation
– Stress
– A sedentary lifestyle
– Obesity
– Pregnancy
– Diabetes
– Sleep-disordered breathing
– Peripheral neuropathy
– Renal insufficiency
– Medication such as antihistamines and certain antidepressants

To diagnose restless legs syndrome, doctors will first review the patient’s medical history and ask for a description of their symptoms. Diagnoses are based on the following criteria:

– A strong urge to move legs
– Symptoms start or get worse when resting
– Symptoms are partially/temporarily relieved by activity
– Symptoms are worse at night
– Symptoms cannot be explained by another condition

Following this, a doctor may conduct a physical and/or a neurological exam.

The treatment for restless legs syndrome ranges from at-home remedies to medical devices. At-home treatments may include:

– Moving the legs
– Implementing healthy sleep hygiene habits
– Avoiding tobacco and eating a healthy diet
– Exercising
– Receiving massages or self-massaging
– Using heat or cold

Medical treatments may include:

– Compression foot wrap
– Vibrating pad

If you are experiencing restless legs syndrome, come to Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders for diagnosis and treatment. To provide care for as many people as possible, Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders has convenient locations near you in Bloomington, IL; Peoria – Dunlop, IL; Mishawaka, IN; Kansas City, MO; Columbia, MO; Wausau, WI; and El Paso, TX. To find out which Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders is closest to you, visit our Locations page! We look forward to serving you!