Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome: Causes

and How to Improve Symptoms

If you feel discomfort in your legs every night, you may not be able to sleep properly, and instead of pain, you may feel numbness or a pulling sensation.

Also, while there may be no particular symptoms during the day, the symptoms can become especially severe at night, sometimes waking you up while you are sleeping.

Because of symptoms such as numbness and pulling in the legs, you might think it is a herniated disc or varicose veins in the legs, but if you have these symptoms, there is a possibility that it is restless legs syndrome.

Today, let’s look at the causes and symptoms of restless legs syndrome, as well as restless legs syndrome treatment and management methods.

Restless legs syndrome refers to a condition in which uncomfortable sensations in the legs become severe, mainly before sleep, causing sleep disturbances.

These symptoms tend to occur more often at night than during the day, and are characterized by worsening when the legs are not moved and returning to normal when they are moved.

Because symptoms worsen at night, sleep quality is affected as well. If proper treatment for restless legs syndrome is not received early, it can lead to insomnia, so caution is needed.

The cause of restless legs syndrome has not been clearly identified, but it is believed that a lack of dopamine causes the blood vessels in the legs to constrict, which interferes with blood circulation and triggers symptoms.

Iron deficiency may also affect the onset of symptoms, and hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies, and family history can be causes of the condition.

Symptoms of restless legs syndrome can appear in various ways. You may feel as if insects are crawling on your legs, or you may experience an aching or tingling sensation.

Usually, symptoms occur in the evening or at night, and moving the legs provides temporary relief, leading to repeated actions such as bending and straightening the knees.

In general, discomfort is felt in the calves, and if it lasts for a long time, symptoms may appear not only in the legs but also in the arms and shoulders.

In particular, because uncomfortable sensory symptoms in the legs become severe before falling asleep, moving the legs affects sleep quality.

If the symptoms are left untreated, thinking they are only a temporary problem, they can continue and lead to insomnia, so if you suspect the condition, it is a good idea to get examined.

To treat restless legs syndrome, lifestyle changes and medication are used, and with medication, it is important to receive a prescription through a medical consultation.

To improve and relieve symptoms, you should pay attention to your lifestyle as well as treatment, and it is good to consume foods rich in iron.

It is also good to do lower-leg muscle stretching and exercise for smooth blood circulation, and relieving leg fatigue through leg massage and foot baths after exercise can help improve symptoms.

Today, we looked at the causes and symptoms of restless legs syndrome, as well as treatment and improvement methods. Please refer to the information above.