Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder where you get an intense, irresistible urge to move your legs, arms, and body. It causes other sensations in your limbs described as creeping, itching, pulling, crawling, throbbing, or burning. In most patients, RLS occurs in the evening, which can make it difficult to fall asleep. RLS sensations often happen when lying in bed or sitting for prolonged periods. El Paso general surgery doctors do not know the exact cause of RLS. But it is mostly associated with genes and certain medical conditions like peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and iron deficiency. There are many treatments for restless leg syndrome, which include:
Non-drug treatments
Your doctor first uses non-drug treatments, especially if you have mild restless leg syndrome. Getting regular exercise like walking or bicycle riding can help manage your symptoms. But avoid intense activities within a few hours before bedtime. Insufficient sleep can worsen your RLS symptoms. Ensure you observe good sleeping habits like avoiding watching television, reading, or using a phone while lying in bed.
Avoiding or limiting nicotine, alcohol, and caffeinated products like coffee, tea, and colas can help prevent worsening your RLS symptoms. You can temporarily relieve leg discomfort by applying a heating pad or cold compressor or rubbing your legs. You can manage your stress through yoga, meditation, or soft music. Soaking in a warm tub can also help relieve your RLS symptoms.
Iron supplementation
Iron deficiency is reversible. If your restless leg syndrome results from low iron levels, your doctor may prescribe iron supplements.
Medications
The effectiveness of restless leg syndrome medications varies in different patients. A medication that eases symptoms in one individual may worsen them in another. There are various medicines for RLS, which include:
Dopamine agonists
Your doctor may recommend dopamine agonists to control your urge to move and sensory symptoms in your legs and minimize involuntary leg jerks while sleeping. Pramipexole and rotigotine patches are common dopamine agonists approved by FDA to treat restless leg syndrome. It can treat moderate to severe restless leg syndrome.
Anti-seizure drugs
Anti-seizure drugs can help slow or block pain signals from nerves in your legs. Gabapentin enacarbil and gabapentin are common anti-seizure medications used to treat RLS. These medications are beneficial if you have painful restless leg syndrome due to neuropathy.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, particularly clonazepam, can help treat severe restless leg syndrome. Benzodiazepines are a form of sedative, so they may help with sleep. But doctors only prescribe these drugs in extreme cases because they may cause addictive side effects like daytime drowsiness.
Opioids
Opioids like methadone and oxycodone can help relieve restless leg syndrome symptoms. Doctors prescribe opioids in severe cases or when other medications are ineffective because of the risk of addiction.
Restless leg syndrome is a sleep disorder where you get an intense, irresistible urge to move your legs, arms, or body. Your doctor can help you manage mild RLS through non-drug treatments like exercise, good sleeping habits, and warm and cold compressors. You can manage Moderate and severe RLS through dopamine agonists, anti-seizure drugs, and opioids. Schedule an appointment at Desert West Vein & Surgery Center for restless leg syndrome treatment to relieve your leg discomfort.
