How do i stop rls

Below are some lifestyle tips that may help a person to find longer-term relief from RLS symptoms:. Examples of stimulants include:. Long periods of sitting or lying down may trigger symptoms of RLS. Stretching the calf muscle may help to prevent or alleviate cramping sensations associated with RLS.

Some people take medications that can trigger or exacerbate RLS symptoms. If this is the case, a person should ask their doctor if it is possible to change the dosage or change the medication altogether.

There is currently no cure for RLS. However, certain medications and supplements can help a person to manage the condition and reduce the severity and frequency of their symptoms. Examples include:.

However, for some people, oral iron supplements do not increase levels of iron in the blood. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine , a person may need intravenous IV iron to help increase their iron levels. These drugs can help to alleviate nerve pain and sensations of creeping and crawling. These drugs increase levels of dopamine in the brain. They appear to reduce RLS symptoms in people who take them at night. These drugs help to control pain.

A doctor may prescribe one of the following opioids for a person with severe RLS that has not responded to other medications:. But there are also several things you can do at home to help relieve these symptoms. Heated or cooled pads, often used to relieve swelling caused by injuries and other conditions, have a long history as a home remedy.

Berkowski says they can be effective by creating a new sensation for the brain to process, reducing the uncomfortable sensation produced by restless legs syndrome.

You can buy an inexpensive cold or warm compress at a store, but the simplest way to make one is to soak fabric in cold or warm water and place it against your skin. Because the issue with RLS is how it originates in your brain, the key factor is distracting those impulses coming from your brain. A hot bath or shower provides two stages of relief, he adds. Another way to help your brain focus on other sensations would be compression wraps.

Berkowski says. Even rubbing or massaging the legs can provide temporary relief. Using your diet to safely correct any iron deficiency can help alleviate RLS symptoms. The catch, Dr. Berkowski says, is knowing what your iron levels are.

The exact reason for the increased risk is unclear, but it may be that the rapid leg movements are associated with an increased heart rate and blood pressure. To reduce this risk, you should exercise regularly , maintain a healthy weight , give up smoking if you smoke, and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Read more about preventing cardiovascular disease. Page last reviewed: 06 August Next review due: 06 August If symptoms are more severe, medication may be needed.

If it's associated with pregnancy, it usually disappears on its own within 4 weeks of the birth. Lifestyle changes A number of lifestyle changes may be enough to ease the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. They work by increasing dopamine levels, which are often low.

Dopamine agonists that may be recommended include: ropinirole pramipexole rotigotine skin patch These medications can occasionally make you feel sleepy, so you should be cautious when driving or using tools or machinery after taking them. Dopamine agonists can be taken in pill form approximately two hours before bedtime or administered continuously through a patch.

A major side effect of dopaminergic drugs is augmentation progressive worsening of RLS symptoms, which can come in many forms. Symptoms may appear earlier in the day, they may become more intense, they may spread to other parts of the body, or higher doses of the drug may be needed for it to remain effective.

These side effects could be mistaken for a natural progression of RLS, but they are typically reversed once the patient stops using the drug. Other potential side effects include a rebound of symptoms in the morning, a growing tolerance to the drug, nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, insomnia, orthostatic hypotension, and impulsive or compulsive behaviors such as gambling. Anti-seizure drugs are often used for people who experience pain along with their other RLS symptoms. These drugs are gaining popularity as an RLS treatment because they seem to work as well as dopaminergic agonists, but are less likely to cause augmentation of RLS symptoms.

The FDA has approved gabapentin enacarbil for use in RLS, preferring it over standard gabapentin because it has fewer side effects. Another similar drug, pregabalin , also shows promising results for RLS symptoms and sleep quality, and carries a low risk of side effects. The FDA warns that anti-seizure drugs may cause dangerous breathing difficulties , especially for people already at risk, such as the elderly or those with lung disease, and for those who are also taking opioids or benzodiazepines.

Finally, people taking anti-seizure drugs can experience problems with dizziness, fatigue, and sleepiness. People with sleep apnea may find that benzodiazepines make their symptoms worse. Benzodiazepines can also cause next-day sleepiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Low doses of opioids are a last-line treatment for people with severe RLS symptoms that do not respond to other treatments. Opioids are highly addictive, and most people develop a tolerance that leads to them needing higher and higher doses over time.

Other side effects of opioids include constipation, nausea, dizziness, and worsening of sleep apnea. Due to the lack of research on their efficacy and side effects, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends against using these for RLS.

Effective techniques for minimizing RLS symptoms vary from person to person. Many people find relief from keeping active throughout the day and using acupuncture, massage, stretching, or relaxation techniques at night.

During the day, you may be able to ward off RLS symptoms by keeping your mind busy even when you are sitting still with activities like reading or chatting to a friend. Though RLS is not life-threatening, the frustration of not being able to sleep well can take a toll on mental health. Cognitive behavioral therapy, support groups, or reaching out to family and friends may provide additional emotional resources for coping with RLS. Danielle writes in-depth articles about sleep solutions and holds a psychology degree from the University of British Columbia.

Wright, M. She has a decade of experience in the study of disease. If you are experiencing leg pain at night, you may be wondering if you have restless leg syndrome RLS. Restless legs syndrome RLS , also called Willis Ekbom disease causes uncomfortable feelings in the legs, such as itching, prickling, pulling,…. Good sleep is essential for our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

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Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias. Updated February 5, Written by Danielle Pacheco.

Medically Reviewed by Heather Wright.