RLS Treatment
Although movement brings relief to those with RLS, it is generally only temporary. However, RLS can be controlled by finding any possible underlying disorder. Often, treating the associated medical condition, such as peripheral neuropathy or diabetes, will alleviate many symptoms. For patients with idiopathic RLS, treatment is directed toward relieving symptoms.
For those with mild to moderate symptoms, prevention is key, and many doctors suggest certain lifestyle changes and activities to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Relief may be provided by decreasing use of:
Doctors may suggest that certain people take supplements to correct deficiencies of:
Other RLS Treatments
Studies also have shown that maintaining a regular sleep pattern can reduce symptoms.
Some individuals, finding that RLS symptoms are minimized in the early morning, change their sleep patterns. Others have found that a program of regular moderate exercise helps them sleep better; on the other hand, excessive exercise has been reported by some patients to aggravate RLS symptoms. Some patients can help relieve symptoms by:
- taking a hot bath
- massaging the legs
- using a heating pad or ice pack
Although many patients find some relief with such measures, rarely do these efforts completely eliminate symptoms
Drugs
Doctors also may suggest a variety of medications to treat RLS. Generally, doctors choose from:
- dopaminergics
- benzodiazepines
- opioids
- anticonvulsants
