Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common health concern, affecting millions in the United States. This condition causes uncomfortable creeping, tingly, and crawling sensations, often in the legs, which result in an overwhelming urge to move the affected limb. For more individuals with Sebring restless legs syndrome, symptoms are mild. However, if your symptoms are moderate to severe, RLS could greatly impact your life quality. While there is no cure for RLS, you can take various measures to ease your symptoms. Continue reading to learn more.
- Exercise Regularly
Besides relieving RLS symptoms, exercise reduces your likelihood of experiencing associated complications like cardiac arrest, improves sleep quality, and reduces your blood pressure. Front thigh, hip, and calf stretches can help manage your symptoms. Likewise, jogging can also help. Nonetheless, avoid performing any workouts before bed, avoid any drastic changes in your activity level, and do not overdo it, as these might worsen your symptoms.
- Practice Proper Sleep Habits
Fatigue generally worsens RLS symptoms. For this reason, practicing proper sleep hygiene is vital. If you are in bed, avoid watching television, using your PC to read, or scrolling your phone. Moreover, ensure that your bedroom is dark, quiet, comfortable, and cool, and avoid eating anything just before bed to allow your body time to digest.
Your body typically follows a biological rhythm. Therefore, practice retiring to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time each morning. This pattern makes it easier for you to fall asleep at night.
- Limit or Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, or Nicotine
Certain stimulants make it hard to enjoy a restful night’s sleep. For instance, caffeine causes difficulties falling asleep, and alcohol, despite making you fall asleep faster, will probably awaken you at night, worsening your RLS symptoms. Therefore, try reducing alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine intake, particularly before bedtime.
- Apply Cold Compresses or Heating Pads
Alternating between cold and heat therapy can distract your muscles. Try switching between cold compresses and heating pads on your legs to help alleviate discomfort triggered by RLS.
- Use A Foot Wrap
A foot wrap can also help relieve RLS symptoms. The foot wrap exerts pressure on certain areas on the bottom of your foot. This pressure relays messages to the brain, which instructs the muscles affected by RLS to relax.
- Reduce Your Stress Levels
Your stress levels could affect everything, from blood pressure to mood. Therefore, it is unsurprising that stress could also affect your RLS symptoms. To manage your stress levels and relieve your RLS symptoms, try reducing social media time, meditating, performing aromatherapy, yoga, or spending quality time with family and friends.
If you are experiencing uncomfortable sensations in your legs, particularly during rest, accompanied by an irresistible urge to move about, you might have restless leg syndrome. While most RLS patients do not experience serious symptoms, left untreated, the conditions can cause sleep disruptions, increased fatigue, and other health complications.
The recommendations highlighted above can help patients manage mild RLS symptoms. However, if you experience serious symptoms, see a specialist. Your doctor will determine the underlying cause of your concerns and suggest the most suitable care plan.
