Sleep medicine, 10 9 , — Treatment By Danielle Pacheco February 5, Symptoms By Danielle Pacheco February 5, Diagnosis By Danielle Pacheco October 16, Related Reading How Sleep Works. Other Articles of Interest Sleep Solutions. There's no better time to start the journey to improving your sleep.
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Plagiarism is never tolerated. Writers and editors caught stealing content or improperly citing sources are immediately terminated, and we will work to rectify the situation with the original publisher s. Improved circulation might also be the reason pneumatic compression has been shown to help relieve RLS symptoms Some researchers believe that a cause of RLS is low oxygen levels in the limbs. They think that the body responds to this problem by increasing circulation via the muscle contractions that occur when the person moves their limb Whatever the reason, some research has shown that pneumatic compression can help relieve RLS symptoms.
A study of 35 people who used a PCD for at least an hour every day for a month had markedly improved RLS symptoms, sleep quality, and daytime function. However, other research has not shown the same effects 33 , Some PCDs are rented, and others can be purchased over the counter or with a prescription. A PCD is a non-drug treatment that can be bought over the counter or with a prescription.
It could help relieve RLS symptoms by improving circulation in your legs. Results from research on this device have been conflicted. A vibrating pad called the Relaxis pad may not relieve your RLS symptoms, but it could help you sleep better 4. You place the pad on the affected area, such as your leg, and set it to the desired vibration intensity.
The pad vibrates for 30 minutes and then shuts itself off However, it has been shown to improve sleep In fact, one study found it to be as effective in improving sleep as the four FDA-approved RLS drugs: ropinirole, pramipexole, gabapentin, and rotigotine The Relaxis pad is available only by prescription from your doctor.
It may not treat actual RLS symptoms, but its counterstimulation effects could help you sleep better. This painless treatment is called near-infrared spectroscopy NIRS.
With NIRS, light beams with long wavelengths are used to penetrate the skin. The light causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing circulation One theory posits that RLS is caused by low oxygen levels in the affected area. Several studies have found this treatment effective. Both circulation and RLS symptoms showed significant improvement Another showed that people treated with twelve minute treatments of NIRS over four weeks also had significantly reduced symptoms of RLS.
Symptoms were improved up to four weeks after treatment ended A NIRS device could cost several hundred dollars, but the long-lasting effects of this noninvasive treatment could be worth the investment. The above treatments have some research to support their use. Other treatments have less evidence, but may still work for some people with RLS. They include the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation These organizations suggest taking a hot or cold bath before going to bed, or applying hot or cold packs to your legs This could explain the benefits of these hot or cold treatments.
So far, studies have been limited and more research is needed, but the results are promising 4 , 41 , Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation rTMS sends magnetic impulses to certain areas of the brain. One theory is that the impulses increase the release of dopamine in the brain. The sessions significantly improved their RLS symptoms and improved their sleep.
The results lasted for at least two months after the treatment ended With transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS , a device sends small electrical currents to parts of your body to help relieve pain. The idea is that like the Relaxis vibrating pad, it uses counterstimulation. Acupuncture can be helpful in the treatment of many health conditions, and RLS might be one of them. A study of 38 people with RLS who were treated with acupuncture for six weeks showed that their abnormal leg activity from RLS was greatly reduced For people with certain circulatory issues, surgery could be the most effective treatment for their RLS Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels, often in the legs, that overfill with blood.
Symptoms often worsen in the evening and at night, and may be relieved for a short while in the morning. Symptoms of primary or idiopathic RLS typically worsen over time, but, for some people, weeks or months may pass without any symptoms. If the RLS stems from a condition, illness, pregnancy, or medication, it may go away as soon as the trigger has gone.
RLS can pose problems for women during pregnancy. Women who already have RLS can find that symptoms get worse during pregnancy. However, becoming pregnant can lead to RLS in its own right. Symptoms tend to get worse as the pregnancy progresses and are especially likely in the third trimester.
The cause of the increased incidence of RLS during pregnancy is unknown, but the following factors are believed to be involved:. This condition has not been widely researched during pregnancy. However, some of the drug treatments used outside of pregnancy, such as rotigotine and gabapentin, have not been assessed for safe use in women who are pregnant. Behavioral treatments, such as mild exercise and a healthy sleeping pattern, are often recommended as a first-line treatment for women during pregnancy.
If iron levels are low and thought to be the cause of RLS, oral iron supplements are safe to prescribe during pregnancy. In severe cases, higher concentrations may be administered intravenously IV through a drip. If another cause is suspected that may require medication, and the above treatments do not have the desired effect, drugs should be prescribed at the lowest possible dosage to reduce risk.
This is often the case with iron deficiency and peripheral neuropathy. Secondary RLS usually starts after the age of 45 years, and it does not tend to be hereditary. This types of RLS is distinctly different:. Exactly how RLS happens is not well understood, but it may be related to how the body processes dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in controlling muscle movements. Silber MH, et al. The appropriate use of opioids in the treatment of refractory restless legs syndrome.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Trenkwalder, et al. Comorbidities, treatment and pathophysiology in restless legs syndrome. The Lancet Neurology. Restless legs syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. Riggin EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic; Xu XM, et al. Complementary and alternative therapies for restless legs syndrome: An evidence-based systematic review.
Sleep Medicine Reviews. Find a sleep facility near you. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Accessed Dec.
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