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Restless Legs Syndrome

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Sleeping Problems (Home) > Restless Legs Syndrome > Helping Restless Leg Syndrome with Diet

Helping Restless Leg Syndrome with Diet

Introduction

People who have Restless Leg Syndrome have an uncontrollable urge to move or shake or tap their legs. This is invariably a reflex action in response  to a queer sensation of creeping insects or flowing electric currents that move down the leg or lower torso. The patients move the legs because it gives them momentary relief. Restless Leg Syndrome occurs most at night time.

History of the Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome has not been clearly understood so far. While some say that it is neurological problem others classify it as a deep rooted medical disorder. But what is known is that the symptoms of  this disorder occur most often in the late evenings and at night especially while sleeping. They are aggravated by a number of emotional and physiological factors but prolonged stress almost always aggravates the problems.

The irresistible urge to move, tap or shake the leg is explained by the patients in different words. Some describe the symptoms as a creepy feeling of insects crawling up the leg while others talk of electric currents. Medical specialists say that these symptoms are triggered by motor nerve restlessness. There are two types of Restless Leg Syndrome. There is the primary or idiopathic syndrome which occurs early in life and then there is the secondary syndrome which is noticed in people older than forty years of age. The secondary syndrome has been found to a relation with deficiencies of vitamin B.

Management of Restless Leg Syndrome with Diet

Restless Leg Syndrome can be controlled with regular light exercises like walking and simple stretching workouts. Yoga drills are also useful in the management of the disorder. Initially it was seen that Restless Leg Syndrome worsened while resting after exercise. It had something to do the enzyme dopamine which is secreted by our bodies when we exercise. Doctors have now found ways to circumvent the problems and prescribe medications that keeps the Restless Leg Syndrome under control.

Random Sleeping Tip
You must make sure that the temperature in your bedroom is exactly that you are comfortable with. If you are not comfortable with the temperature in your room then you are going to get up at varied times at night and this will result in a broken sleep. Due to this you would not be feeling a 100% in the morning and would not be able to concentrate and give your best, so it is really important that you set the right temperatures in your room and keep a blanket close to you so that you do not have to get up for that.

But proper management of diet helps in better control over Restless Leg Syndrome. It has been found that something in carbohydrates and starches in food aggravates the Restless Leg Syndrome. Similarly iron rich nutrients in food are known to alleviate the symptoms. Tea, coffee, aerated soft drinks, chocolates and intake of caffeine in all its forms on the other hand aggravated the symptoms and their intake have to reduced or avoided altogether as for unknown reasons they have been found to aggravate the Restless Leg Syndrome.

Sometimes Restless Leg Syndrome is not detected in its early stages until it becomes evident and more serious. This is because it is mistaken for sleep apnea, arthritis or vascular disorders like varicose veins. Left untreated it progressively develops into more serious sleep disorders.

Conclusion

The exact reasons for the occurrence of Restless Leg Syndrome are not understood clearly. The clinical symptoms too are varied and bear a vague relation to emotional and psychological factors. However, with a deliberate effort of changing the life style and eating habits, the condition can be managed.


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