Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

If you have experienced a tingly, cramping, burning sensation in your legs, especially at night you may be experiencing RLS. These symptoms can range from moderate to severe pain and discomfort. There are several ways for you to treat your RLS symptoms. Some can be as simple as getting more rest and avoiding the everyday issues that can cause restless leg syndrome. Avoiding caffeine in high amounts and cutting out alcohol can alleviate the symptoms of RLS that you are feeling. There are different forms of medicines you can take to remedy the situation. If the condition persists or the pain worsens, it is highly recommended that you consult a physician for a more precise diagnosis.

Over the Counter Medicines and Vitamins

If you are experiencing RLS symptoms, you might try some of the over the counter medicines such as Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve. They can help relieve the moderate pain you are experiencing. Only take the recommended dosage to get the desired effects. If you are having trouble sleeping, there are many products that also include a sleep aid in the ingredients. Some experts believe that RLS symptoms are caused by a low folate intake and low iron in the blood. To raise these levels you can add liver, eggs, beans or whole grain cereals. They are all high in folate. You could add an iron supplement to your daily routine to help bring up your iron count. It is also wise to take a multi-vitamin to add more nutrients to your diet.

Prescription Drugs

There are currently two prescription drugs on the market that is FDA approved to treat restless leg syndrome and the RLS symptoms you are experiencing. One is Requip, it was the first drug that was approved by the FDA. It does wonders for the moderate to severe pain you are dealing with. It does have the ability to make you drowsy, so you should never drive or operate machinery while taking this drug. The other is Mirapex. It should also be taken before bed time that will make you sleepy, but it should work in relieving all the RLS symptoms you have been coping with.

Helpful Tips

Other things you can try include taking a warm bath before bedtime. You could also apply a heating pad to the affected area. This may help alleviate some of the discomfort you are feeling. Walking off the tension in your legs has worked with some of the reported cases. Always remember to drink enough water to maintain a healthy diet.