Restless Leg Syndrome Home Remedies

People suffering from restless leg syndrome (RLS) have a strange feeling of itching and something seems to tickle or wiggle under their skin. This medical condition is also termed as 'Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome' wherein, the affected person can't help moving his legs in response to the uncomfortable or painful sensations which occur. The syndrome has also been known to affect the arms and torso, apart from the legs. The movement of the legs helps in easing the sensations, but temporarily. This condition becomes more severe when the person is at rest and so it affects people who have a sedentary lifestyle. The condition worsens with age and its most serious repercussion is insomnia (the inability to sleep; chronic sleeplessness).

Signs and Symptoms
As mentioned, unpleasant sensations in body parts such as thighs, calves, feet, arms or torso are the most prominent symptoms of restless leg syndrome. These symptoms may be referred to as deep-seated, crawling, creeping, jittery, tingling, burning or aching. These symptoms get worse in the evenings or during the nights.

Home Remedies for the Condition
Soaking in a warm bath and massaging the legs on a daily basis helps in relaxing the muscles. Walking around also helps in relieving the symptoms and so does exercises. Take care that the exercises are kept to a moderate level, as overdoing them may intensify the symptoms. Stretching exercises are more beneficial.

Applying warm or cold compresses may also be beneficial in reducing the sensations in the legs. Stress is associated with the causes of this condition. So, taking up relaxation techniques such as meditations and yoga help reduce stress and calm nerves. Relaxing your body before going to bed is also helpful

Cut on your caffeine consumption such as that of tea, coffee and other beverages. Caffeine is known to aggravate RLS. People who smoke or consume alcohol are at a higher risk of getting this condition more severely. So refrain from such products as they have their own ill effects on sleep.

Natural treatment of restless leg syndrome also include a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods. Most people who have been suffering from this illness have been found to be low in iron, magnesium or folate. So, consume iron and magnesium rich foods and you might see the difference.

Maintaining a fixed schedule for bedtime every night helps the body to prepare and settle down for a good night sleep. Avoid watching television and drinking any beverages before you retire to bed. Ask you partner for a gentle massage of your head with coconut or almond oil. This really works in helping the mind and the body to 'de-stress'. Acupuncture and electric nerve stimulation have also been found to be of great help in easing the symptoms.

Medicines
Along with the above home remedies, administration of certain medicines also help in reducing the restlessness in the legs. Medicines which are usually prescribed for treating RLS are pramipexole, ropinirole and a combination of carbidopa and levodopa. Narcotic medications such as codeine, the combination medicine oxycodone and acetaminophen, and the combination medicine hydrocodone and acetaminophen are also helpful. Other medicines include clonazepam, eszopiclone, ramelteon, temazepam, zaleplon and zolpidem.

Note: all these medicines may be associated with side-effects of some kind or the other and may not be suitable for all ages. So, it is extremely important to consult a doctor before going for any such medicines and avoid self-medication.

The home remedies which have been cited above have proven to be effective for most people with restless leg syndrome. However, this illness tends to stay for a 'life-long' period in most cases. The best way to counter it is to keep your near and dear ones informed about the condition, keeping up with all the remedies (exercises in particular) and share vital insights with other people with the same condition.