Also referred to as the Willis-Ekbom disease, the restless legs syndrome is a physiological condition that triggers uncomfortable sensations in the legs. These feelings in the legs have been described as creepy, crawly and tingly which urge the victim to twitch and move the affected legs.
This condition of RLS occurs when the person is sleeping, sitting or just resting and it mostly happens at night.
The brisk leg movements are termed as periodic limb movements of sleep and they seriously hamper sleep and are usually associated with pregnancy, nerve problems, chronic renal issues and deficiency of iron in the body.
Several different medical conditions are linked with restless leg syndrome, two of the most common conditions being a deficiency of iron and damage to the nerves of arms and legs as a result of peripheral neuropathy.
A few general restless leg syndrome causes are enlisted below.
Certain drugs like antipsychotics, beta-blockers, anti-depressants etc.
Restless leg syndrome is often linked with pregnancy in women. The occurrence of restless leg syndrome during pregnancy is perhaps due to the imbalance in the level of dopamine or is probably triggered by the deficiency of iron or folic acid in the blood.
The major and most uncomfortable symptom of the restless leg syndrome is the constant twitchy feeling in the legs accompanies with cramps. Elucidated below are 11 restless leg syndrome home remedies that can help to successfully cure it.
Healthy and sound sleeping is an advice suited to anyone but if you are suffering from RLS, then the best way to feel well rested and restored would be to adhere to a fixed sleeping schedule. It is one of the best natural cures for restless leg syndrome if practiced regularly.
It has been proven time and again that regular stretching exercise(1) can resolve the twitching sensations in the legs in Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and help the patient sleep soundly at night.
The stretching exercises that can be done to get rid of the creepy crawly sensations include
Relentless stress and anxiety aggravates the risk of RLS and worsens its symptoms. This is due to the release of stress hormones in the blood that stimulate the muscles to stay constantly taut and active.
Meditation and exercises that involve deep inhalation and exhalation are immensely helpful in getting rid of stress and thereby tackling the restlessness of RLS. It is one of the best restless leg remedies.
You will feel calm and composed. Daily stress, tension, and anxieties will disappear into thin air. Overcome the restless legs syndrome and insomnia associated with it with serene and firm meditation.
Yoga is one of the most effective natural treatments of the restless legs syndrome. Yoga is involved with an ancient practice related to meditation, control of breathing and adaption of the body to a variety of easy to difficult postures that makes the body firm and works efficiently on nervous difficulties.
Regular yoga, especially if practiced for 30-40 minutes daily in the morning, will successfully help in curing the restless legs syndrome and enabling you to sleep better and feel calm and less tensed.
Regular yoga will stabilize your blood pressure, improve blood circulation and make your limbs firm and strong.
A few effective yoga postures for curing the restless legs syndrome are given below.
Chamomile(2) tea helps to calm you down and soothes your senses. You may also drink a cup of green tea beside chamomile tea thrice daily as it is an efficient restless leg syndrome natural treatment.
Wondering how to stop restless leg syndrome immediately? For this massage the muscles of your legs to ease the symptoms of the restless legs syndrome.
The techniques of Swedish massaging and application of direct pressure on the leg muscles are highly effective in treating restless legs syndrome. Massaging also helps in relaxation of muscles and aids in sleeping well.
Adhering to a healthy diet goes a long way in restoring firmness and strength of muscles and fights the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
A diet that consists of ample amount of essential fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals can overcome the nutritional deficiencies that lead to the restless legs syndrome.
How to get rid of restless leg syndrome with Baking Soda?
This remedy improves blood circulation in your legs and keeps them from feeling twitchy and restless.
Apple cider vinegar is a very common household item and is employed in a wide range of activities from killing weeds to pickling sour jams, polishing silver to dressing salads.
Apple cider vinegar is extremely beneficial amongst the other restless leg syndrome remedies. It is packed with minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, copper, and vitamins like B1, B2, B6, A, E, C, bioflavonoids and pectin.
In addition to this, the acetic acid contained in vinegar aids the body in the absorption of vitamins and minerals from the food that we consume. Apple cider vinegar is considered as a highly effective natural remedy of restless legs syndrome.
Coconut oil is vested with incredible healing benefits and is especially beneficial in the treatment of the restless legs syndrome.
The oil contains a medium chain of fatty acids like capric acid, lauric acid, caprylic acid which facilitate sound sleep and relaxes your nerves.
Coconut oil is also known for its capabilities of enhancing blood circulation and curing the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
Parsley is an efficient reliever from the creepy crawly symptoms of the restless legs syndrome. It is loaded with minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese and vitamins like B1, B3, B2, B5, B6, A, E, C, K and antioxidants.
Parsley is also known for its antiseptic and anesthetic properties. Parsley helps in enhancing the assimilation of minerals like iron and calcium present in the body and increases the absorption of such nutrients.
If you follow this remedy then make sure that you do not eat calcium-rich food otherwise this will not work and the condition might get aggravated.
The symptoms can be taken care of by religious adherence to home remedies for restless legs by sticking to a proper diet, physical exercise, yoga and regular massaging.
Anxiety and tension stimulates the secretion of stress hormones. If the body is continually under stress then the excessive stimulation of stress
hormones can make the body feel weak and fatigued.
This weakness affects the limbs such as arms and legs and tends to make them twitchy. However, a cup of chamomile tea can relieve you of anxiety and make you feel much better.
Doctors perform blood tests on the patient to determine the deficiency of iron and other medical issues that are usually linked with the restless leg syndrome.
No. It is a physical condition that might be induced by mental illnesses like persistent stress and anxiety issues but restless leg syndrome is not exactly a mental illness per se.
Restless Leg Syndrome is said to have genetic components that make the syndrome run within the family. The syndrome is associated with specific variants of a gene.
High blood pressure, if left unchecked, puts the arteries in arms and legs under a lot of strain and causes painful muscular cramps in legs as the blood vessels become narrow and the pressure of blood on them increases with increase in BP.
Essential oils like rosemary, peppermint and lavender are analgesic and antispasmodic in nature. Their warming and healing properties make them highly effective in treating the spasms, pains and muscle cramps associated with restless leg syndrome.