Making simple lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms of RLS :

1. Try baths and massages. Soaking in a warm bath and massaging your legs can relax your muscles.
2. Apply warm or cool packs.
3. Establish good sleep hygiene.
4. Exercise.
5. Avoid caffeine.
6. Consider using a foot wrap.

What causes restless legs in the elderly?

Restless legs syndrome is most common in patients with chronic kidney disease, iron deficiency anemia, pregnancy, and chronic neurologic disorders (e.g., migraine, dopaminergic treatment in Parkinson’s Disease, and polyneuropathy). Certain medications may exacerbate RLS.

What vitamins help restless leg syndrome?

A 2014 study found that vitamin D supplements reduced RLS symptoms in people with RLS and vitamin D deficiency ( 9 ). And for people on hemodialysis, vitamins C and E supplements may help relieve RLS symptoms (4, 10 ). Supplementation with iron or vitamins D, C, or E can help certain people with RLS.

What aggravates restless leg syndrome?

certain medications that may aggravate RLS symptoms, such as antinausea drugs (e.g. prochlorperazine or metoclopramide), antipsychotic drugs (e.g., haloperidol or phenothiazine derivatives), antidepressants that increase serotonin (e.g., fluoxetine or sertraline), and some cold and allergy medications that contain

How do you fall asleep with restless legs?

Lifestyle Tips

1. Cut out caffeine and alcohol.
2. If you’re on a conference call or just watching TV, massage your legs and stretch them.
3. Take a hot bath to relax your muscles.
4. Apply ice packs to your legs.
5. Don’t eat a big meal right before bed.
6. Practice meditation or yoga to reduce symptoms.
7. Take daily walks.

Do bananas help with restless leg syndrome?

Tips for increasing your potassium include: Eating more fruits, like bananas, can help restless legs syndrome. Eating more vegetables, like leafy greens, can help restless legs syndrome‌ Talk to your doctor before taking a potassium supplement to make sure you don’t take too much.

What foods trigger restless leg syndrome?

If you have RLS, there are also foods that you will want to avoid because they can exacerbate the condition and make your symptoms worse. The top three foods to avoid are chocolate, sugary sodas, and fried foods.

What is the best exercise for restless leg syndrome?

Aim for 30-60 minutes of exercise per day, and avoid exercise where your joints ache, as it may worsen your RLS. Also try adding in gentle activities like yoga, cycling, and swimming a few times a week. Combined with stretching, you may find these activities work well for you.

Does drinking water help restless legs?

Absolutely. Drinking water can help with restless legs as it helps prevent dehydration. Avoid stimulants like nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, or sugary drinks before bed.

What is the best over-the-counter medicine for restless leg syndrome?

People with mild RLS can relieve RLS symptoms with over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen.

What medications worsen restless leg syndrome?

The following medications have been known to cause or exacerbate the symptoms of RLS:

• Antidopaminergic medications (eg, neuroleptics)
• Diphenhydramine.
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Serotonin-norepinepherine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Alcohol.
• Caffeine.
• Lithium.

Why are restless legs worse at night?

If nerve cells become damaged, the amount of dopamine in the brain is reduced, which causes muscle spasms and involuntary movements. Dopamine levels naturally fall towards the end of the day, which may explain why the symptoms of restless legs syndrome are often worse in the evening and during the night.

Does Elevating your legs help with restless legs?

By keeping the legs in place, it soothes the nerves in the legs and prevents compression, reducing the chances of RLS occurring by a lot.

Does dehydration cause restless legs?

drinking more water. Dehydration may cause the urge to move the legs, so some people find drinking a glass of water stops the urges for a short while. soaking your feet in hot water just prior to going to sleep.

How long does restless legs last?

These sensations can last for an hour or longer, slowly increasing in severity. While the sensations are most often bilateral, some patients experience them only on one side of the body. The most common time for RLS to occur is at night when the person lies down to sleep.