Lifestyle Changes for Restless Legs Syndrome
For many individuals who suffer from mild to moderate symptoms of restless legs syndrome, making certain lifestyle changes can significantly reduce or eliminate their symptoms.
Restless legs syndrome is often referred to as a sleep disorder as it causes sleep deprivation in the majority of patients who suffer from this condition.
While there are several ways to treat restless legs syndrome with over-the-counter and prescription medications, many individuals manage to control this disorder by making dietary changes and adding regular exercise routines specifically targeted to control their symptoms.
In this medical guide on RLS, you will learn about some of the most common lifestyle changes that many individuals have found beneficial in controlling their symptoms of RLS.
Exercise Tips for Restless Legs Syndrome Exercise is one of the most common forms of treatment recommended for restless legs syndrome.
Consistency is the key when it comes to using exercise to control the symptoms of RLS; therefore, setting up a regular exercise schedule is essential in order to achieve the best results.
Your exercise routine should include walking as this uses all of the muscles that tend to cause the abnormal sensations associated with the symptoms of RLS.
An exercise bike is also a very effective alternative to walking and will also tone the specific muscles that are affected by RLS.
Many individuals have also found moderate aerobic exercise such as jogging also effective for controlling their symptoms, however, you should schedule this type of exercise for earlier in the day as this can sometimes aggravate the symptoms of RLS when done to close to bedtime.
Relaxation and exercises and techniques that stretch the muscles and relieve stress such as those utilized in massage therapy, meditation, and yoga have also proven to be beneficial for many who suffer from RLS.
Incorporating deep breathing techniques into your exercise routine also helps to provide more oxygen to the blood that is then transported to the leg muscles and surrounding nerve tissues which enhances the overall health of these muscles which can also be beneficial in reducing the severity of RLS symptoms.
After exercising or engaging in moderate to intense physical activity, it is also beneficial to take a hot bath as this will increase the body's circulation and refresh the tissues of the muscles.
Specific Lifestyle and Dietary Changes Due to the fact that restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder, any type of stimulant that enters the body and affects the nerves can cause the symptoms of RLS to become worse.
Therefore, stimulants should be reduced or eliminated in order to control the symptoms of RLS.
These include beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, or soft drinks.
Alcohol and nicotine are also stimulants that should be avoided, therefore, reducing or eliminating the consumption of alcohol as well as smoking cigarettes can also significantly reduce the symptoms of RLS.
Dietary changes have also helped many individuals who suffer from RLS.
Many research studies suggest that patients who suffer from RLS tend to have a deficiency in the levels of folate, iron, or magnesium; therefore, increasing the amount of these substances through foods or supplements can also benefit some patients with RLS.
There are many foods that contain excellent sources of folate including leafy dark green vegetables, whole wheat products, numerous breakfast cereals, and liver.
Lifestyle changes that combine regular physical activity along with receiving the proper nutrition can help many patients control their symptoms of RLS without the use of medication.
However, if you suffer from severe symptoms of restless legs syndrome that significantly interfere with your sleep or daily activities, it is essential that you seek the help of a professional for a complete medical evaluation.
Restless legs syndrome is often referred to as a sleep disorder as it causes sleep deprivation in the majority of patients who suffer from this condition.
While there are several ways to treat restless legs syndrome with over-the-counter and prescription medications, many individuals manage to control this disorder by making dietary changes and adding regular exercise routines specifically targeted to control their symptoms.
In this medical guide on RLS, you will learn about some of the most common lifestyle changes that many individuals have found beneficial in controlling their symptoms of RLS.
Exercise Tips for Restless Legs Syndrome Exercise is one of the most common forms of treatment recommended for restless legs syndrome.
Consistency is the key when it comes to using exercise to control the symptoms of RLS; therefore, setting up a regular exercise schedule is essential in order to achieve the best results.
Your exercise routine should include walking as this uses all of the muscles that tend to cause the abnormal sensations associated with the symptoms of RLS.
An exercise bike is also a very effective alternative to walking and will also tone the specific muscles that are affected by RLS.
Many individuals have also found moderate aerobic exercise such as jogging also effective for controlling their symptoms, however, you should schedule this type of exercise for earlier in the day as this can sometimes aggravate the symptoms of RLS when done to close to bedtime.
Relaxation and exercises and techniques that stretch the muscles and relieve stress such as those utilized in massage therapy, meditation, and yoga have also proven to be beneficial for many who suffer from RLS.
Incorporating deep breathing techniques into your exercise routine also helps to provide more oxygen to the blood that is then transported to the leg muscles and surrounding nerve tissues which enhances the overall health of these muscles which can also be beneficial in reducing the severity of RLS symptoms.
After exercising or engaging in moderate to intense physical activity, it is also beneficial to take a hot bath as this will increase the body's circulation and refresh the tissues of the muscles.
Specific Lifestyle and Dietary Changes Due to the fact that restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder, any type of stimulant that enters the body and affects the nerves can cause the symptoms of RLS to become worse.
Therefore, stimulants should be reduced or eliminated in order to control the symptoms of RLS.
These include beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, or soft drinks.
Alcohol and nicotine are also stimulants that should be avoided, therefore, reducing or eliminating the consumption of alcohol as well as smoking cigarettes can also significantly reduce the symptoms of RLS.
Dietary changes have also helped many individuals who suffer from RLS.
Many research studies suggest that patients who suffer from RLS tend to have a deficiency in the levels of folate, iron, or magnesium; therefore, increasing the amount of these substances through foods or supplements can also benefit some patients with RLS.
There are many foods that contain excellent sources of folate including leafy dark green vegetables, whole wheat products, numerous breakfast cereals, and liver.
Lifestyle changes that combine regular physical activity along with receiving the proper nutrition can help many patients control their symptoms of RLS without the use of medication.
However, if you suffer from severe symptoms of restless legs syndrome that significantly interfere with your sleep or daily activities, it is essential that you seek the help of a professional for a complete medical evaluation.
