If you suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome and self-help strategies simply aren’t helping you, it’s probably time to consider taking the medical approach. We prefer to advocate the use of self-help remedies, but sometimes one has to turn to medical intervention.
With a bit of digging around the net, we have compiled the following info for you, and we truly hope this helps.
If you suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome and self-help strategies simply aren’t helping you, its probably time to consider taking the medical approach. We prefer to advocate the use of self help remedies, but sometimes one has to turn to medical intervention.
With a bit of digging round the net, we have compiled the following info for you, and we truly hope this helps.
Diagnosing Restless Legs Syndrome
Apparently no laboratory test can confirm a diagnosis of restless legs syndrome. So to diagnose RLS, your doctor will need the following:
• A complete medical history
• A diagnostic interview, to rule out other medical conditions
• A blood test for low iron levels
• A list of medications and supplements you’re taking
• A survey to see if anyone else in your family has similar symptoms
If a medical condition such as iron deficiency, diabetes, or nerve damage is triggering your restless legs, treating the underlying problem may relieve your symptoms. If not, you may benefit from medication or other treatments.
Health conditions linked to RLS:
• Iron deficiency (anemia)
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Thyroid problems
• Neurological lesions (spinal cord tumors, peripheral nerve lesions, or spinal cord injury)
• Sleep Apnea or Narcolepsy
• Varicose veins or trouble with the nerves in the hands or feet
• Alcoholism
Non-pharmaceutical treatments
There are a number of non-pharmaceutical treatments that have shown promise for treating restless legs syndrome.
Relaxis Vibrating Pad*. The FDA-approved Relaxis pad is placed under your legs and vibrates at different intensities for 30-minute periods to provide counter-stimulation to the restless legs sensation. While it doesn’t work for everyone, the device does seem to help some RLS sufferers get better sleep without the unpleasant side effects of medication.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation* (TENS). 15 to 30 minutes of daily TENS therapy (using low-voltage electrical current) appears to help people who experience a lot of muscle spasms. You can purchase a portable, bedside TENS unit online. They are relatively inexpensive and don’t require a prescription.
Positional release manipulation. A small medical trial in the United Kingdom found that an osteopathic exercise technique known as positional release manipulation (PRM) could benefit people with restless legs syndrome. PRM involves holding different parts of the body in a position that reduces feelings of discomfort and pain.
Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, hypnotherapy, and reflexology may also help relieve RLS symptoms.
Medication
If you have severe RLS symptoms that haven’t improved with lifestyle changes or other treatments, you may benefit from medication. However, no single medication works for everyone with RLS. In fact, a drug that relieves one person’s restless legs may actually make your symptoms worse. In addition, drugs used to treat RLS come with serious side effects, so it’s important to weigh the benefits against the risks.
The following types of medications are most commonly used to treat RLS:
• Parkinson’s medications that affect dopamine
• Benzodiazepines (a type of anti-anxiety medication)
• Prescription painkillers (opiates)
• Anti-seizure medications
Many people with restless legs syndrome find that medications that work initially become less effective over time, so experts also recommend combining self-help remedies to give yourself the best chance of effectively relieving symptoms over the long term.
In addition, something we found on a US based website, the use of Medical Marijuana** as prescribed through a licensed practitioner was showing positive results (not surprising). Seems Marijuana is proving itself useful in many instances.
* We have found reference to these products in South Africa
** We do not advocate the use of Marijuana. Please refer to your GP for advice.