What symptoms characterize restless leg syndrome?
Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder not a muscular one, and becomes more noticeable when at rest, or during long periods of sitting. It is usually described as a creeping,crawling, pins and needles sensation, and is mostly felt in the lower legs.
The discomfort produces an overpowering urge to move the legs, moving the legs ameliorates the uncomfortable sensations for a time, however, the discomfort may return within a few minutes and require a repeat of the leg movements and so it continues, if this occurs during the night it can result in a huge sleep deficit.
Many medications can cause Restless Leg Syndrome, these include OTCs for the common cold, and allergy products, anti-nausea drugs, Calcium channel blockers, Many of the drugs prescribed for Restless Leg Syndrome can cause an exacerbation of the problem, drugs such as anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, SSRIs and dopaminergics. The condition may be worsened by the consumption of caffeine products which includes, coffee, tea, alcohol and diet sodas.
An association between low serum levels of iron and RLS has been found in some instances, this is not a recommendation for haphazard iron supplementation, if you suspect you may be deficient in iron, ask your doctor for a blood test. Other likely conditions which may trigger this RLS include: pregnancy, varicose vein or venous reflux , folate deficiency, sleep apnea, uremia, diabetes, thyroid problems, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease and certain auto-immune disorders such as Sjögren’s syndrome, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Treating the RLS symptom is merely palliative, far better to treat the underlying cause of the syndrome, and in so doing the treatment is more likely to have a successful outcome. If you are being treated for an illness with prescription medications, and you didn’t have the RLS before, then by process of elimination the medication is the likely cause.
Far better to seek out a natural method to treat the underlying condition , and in so doing avoid harmful side effects, including the RLS.
Natural methods to treat RLS may involve simple changes to the diet, and addition of appropriate vitamins, and if possible elimination of drugs ,which may be if not the only cause, a possible contributing cause. The tissue remedy, magnesium phosphate relieves, cramping, twitching, spasms, and convulsions, and therefore may be appropriate for RLS.
Adding magnesium rich foods to the diet may also assist, almonds, cashews, whole grains, molasses, fresh green leafy vegetables, and seafoods. Milling of grains result in a large loss of magnesium, it is also affected by diuretics, thyroxine, cardiac glycosides, and alcohol. Foods high in oxalic acid inhibit the absorption of magnesium, these foods include spinach, rhubarb, and tomatoes. Also the addition of B complex vitamins could be helpful, as long as your doctor approves.
Have a warm lavender bath before bed, also massage your legs with a carrier oil such as olive oil, with the addition of a few drops of lavender essential oil.
Restless leg syndrome may result from a folate deficiency, this may be caused by a deficient diet, or malabsorption. Adding natural sources of folate to the diet may prove to be a simple test for folate deficiency, if your symptoms improve after the addition of the appropriate foods, then it would appear to indicate you had found the answer. Folate or folic acid rich foods include, organ meats, dark green leafy vegetables, yeast, whole grains, eggs, beans and lentils. Cooking, canning processing or storing can result in considerable losses of folate. Drugs which affect folate include: anti-convulsants, barbiturates, oral contraceptives, asprin methotrexate, aminopterin, alcohol and pyrimethamine.
