How Is Restless Legs Syndrome Treated?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has no cure. If a
condition or medicine triggers RLS, it may go away or get better if the trigger
is relieved or stopped.
RLS can be treated. The goals of treatment are to:
- Prevent or relieve symptoms
- Increase the amount and improve the quality of
your sleep
- Treat or correct any underlying condition that
may trigger or worsen RLS
Mild cases of RLS often are treated with lifestyle
changes and sometimes with periodic use of medicines. More severe RLS usually
is treated with daily medicines.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can prevent or relieve the
symptoms of RLS. For mild RLS, lifestyle changes may be the only treatment
needed.
Preventing Symptoms
Many common substances, such as alcohol and tobacco,
can trigger RLS symptoms. Avoiding these substances can limit or prevent
symptoms.
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can
cause or worsen RLS symptoms. Tell your doctor about all of the medicines
you’re taking. He or she can tell you whether you should stop or change
certain medicines.
Adopting good sleep habits can help you fall asleep
and stay asleep—a problem for many people who have RLS. Good sleep habits
include:
- Keeping the area where you sleep cool, quiet,
comfortable, and as dark as possible.
- Making your bedroom sleep-friendly. Remove things
that can interfere with sleep, such as a TV, computer, or phone.
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time every
day. Some people who have RLS find it helpful to go to bed later in the evening
and get up later in the morning.
- Avoiding staying in bed awake for any long period
in the evening or during the night.
Doing a challenging activity before bedtime, such as
solving a crossword puzzle, may ease your RLS symptoms. This distraction may
make it easier for you to fall asleep. Focusing on your breathing and using
other relaxation techniques also may help you fall asleep.
Regular, moderate physical activity also may help
limit or prevent RLS symptoms. Often, people who have RLS find that if they
increase their activity during the day, they have fewer symptoms.
Relieving Symptoms
Certain activities can relieve RLS symptoms. These
include:
- Walking or stretching
- Taking a hot or cold bath
- Massaging the affected limb(s)
- Using heat or ice packs on the affected limb(s)
- Doing mentally challenging tasks
Choose an aisle seat at the movies or on airplanes
and trains so you can move around, if necessary.
Medicines
You may need medicines to treat RLS if lifestyle
changes can’t control symptoms. Many medicines can relieve or prevent RLS
symptoms, including many new medicines.
No single medicine works for all people who have
RLS. It may take several changes in medicines and dosages to find the best
approach. Sometimes, a medicine will work for a while and then stop working.
Some of the effective medicines used to treat RLS
also are used to treat Parkinson disease. These medicines make dopamine or act
like it in the parts of the brain that control movement. (Dopamine is a
chemical that helps you move properly.)
If medicines for Parkinson disease don’t
prevent or relieve your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe other medicines.
You may have to take more than one medicine to treat your RLS.
Always talk with your doctor before taking any
medicines. He or she can tell you the side effects of each RLS medicine. Side
effects may include nausea, headache, and daytime sleepiness.
In some cases, RLS medicines may worsen problems
controlling excessive gambling, shopping, or sexual activity. Sometimes,
continued use of RLS medicines may make your RLS symptoms worse.
Contact your doctor if you have any of these
problems. He or she can adjust your medicines to prevent these side effects.
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