How to Live With Restless Leg Syndrome

Many who live with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) find it hard to have a normal life. For those with serious RLS symptoms, mental and physical fatigue are major factors in daily living. Lifestyle adjustments must be made to receive the most benefit from any treatment regimen.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Adjust to Living With Restless Leg Syndrome

1. Minimize the symptoms by establishing a daily routine of exercise. Walking, stretching and strengthening should all be included in your workout.
2. Take medications as prescribed by your physician. Most medications prescribed for conditions such as RLS require strictly following the dosage routine to obtain proper levels in the body to get the desired results.
3. Utilize relaxation techniques prior to going to sleep. This is often trial and error to find a method that works.
4. Establish a regular sleep pattern. Some people have to adjust bedtime to avoid the most active moments of RLS symptoms.
5. Manage fatigue from sleep disturbance by taking a short nap during the daytime. Power naps can give just the boost needed to finish the day alert and energized.
6. Keep your bedroom free of any noise during the night that would disrupt your sleep. Restful sleep is vital and a quiet, dark room is more conducive to restful sleep.
7. Live as normal a routine as possible. Take on new challenges carefully and avoid highly stressful situations.
8. Watch what you eat. Reduce or eliminate alcohol and caffeine. Eat foods high in iron since iron deficiency may be associated with some of the restless leg syndrome symptoms. Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet for overall good health.

Look to the Future

9. Talk to your doctor about exploring alternative treatments such as acupuncture for the relief of RLS symptoms.
10. Learn all you can about ongoing research and watch for clinical trials and possible cures. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS) is working diligently to find better diagnostic and treatment methods for RLS. Look into their Web site.
11. Understand that millions of people live with RLS. It is not a life-threatening disease.

Tips & Warnings

• When you recognize your stress level rising, take time to manage it with some type of relaxation method. Yoga, meditation and warm baths are great stress reducers.
• Mental strength and attitude is important in managing the fatigue associated with RLS.