| You just sit back to relax for the evening | | | | |
| and it starts. It feels a bit like snakes | | | | For many people there is not a clear cause |
| crawling up and down inside your calves. Or | | | | behind RLS. If this is the case, you are in |
| maybe like someone has tied your muscles into | | | | danger of more than just RLS. There's a |
| knots. | | | | strong connection between RLS and depression, |
| | | | although scientists don't yet fully |
| The only relief you can get from these | | | | understand the link. What they do know is |
| uncomfortable feelings is to move your legs. | | | | that antidepressant drugs usually make RLS |
| | | | worse. |
| It gets even worse when you try to sleep, | | | | |
| disrupting your rest on and off all night | | | | There are prescription drugs that can help |
| long. | | | | relieve restless leg symptoms, but I |
| | | | recommend you try natural treatments first. |
| Restless leg syndrome affects as many as 12 | | | | |
| million people in the country. It's a | | | | Some people notice that alcohol, caffeine, |
| condition that can leave you feeling tired | | | | and smoking can trigger symptoms. Keep a |
| and irritable from a lack of restful sleep. | | | | journal for a couple weeks of your alcohol |
| It can make you feel like you're going out of | | | | and caffeine consumption and the number of |
| your mind-though, I assure you, you're not. | | | | cigarettes you smoke (if you smoke). Look for |
| | | | a relationship between these things and the |
| It can also have more serious health | | | | frequency and severity of your symptoms. This |
| consequences. | | | | can help you to make adjustments to your |
| | | | behaviors and may help to control your |
| There is a link between RLS and heart | | | | symptoms. |
| disease. People who experience RLS symptoms | | | | |
| every night are more likely to develop heart | | | | There is not yet a lot of research available |
| disease than those who do not have RLS. | | | | on the affects of supplements on restless leg |
| Researchers balanced their results for many | | | | syndrome, but these three supplements may |
| other possible factors, but the link between | | | | help. |
| RLS and heart disease remained strong. 1 | | | | |
| | | | The first is folate. Research has discovered |
| Other research shows that RLS can lower your | | | | that low folate levels in pregnant women can |
| quality of life as much as other chronic | | | | contribute to restless leg syndrome. This |
| conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, for | | | | research demonstrates that an increase of a |
| example. 2 | | | | folate supplement can improve neurological |
| | | | and might help with restless leg. 3 I |
| Figure Out the Cause First to get the Best | | | | recommend that you take a 400 microgram |
| Results from Treatment | | | | supplement of folic acid each day. |
| | | | |
| In some cases, restless leg syndrome just | | | | Magnesium and zinc may also help. Your body |
| starts with no reason at all. This is usually | | | | needs magnesium to promote proper nerve |
| considered to be a neurological movement | | | | function. It uses zinc in many of its |
| disorder. | | | | cellular functions. Men need around 400 mg of |
| | | | magnesium a day, and women need around 300 |
| Typical symptoms include an uncomfortable or | | | | mg. I recommend 30 mg of zinc a day. It's a |
| even painful feeling in your legs. The | | | | good idea to combine your zinc intake with 2 |
| feelings of discomfort intensify at night or | | | | mg of copper to prevent copper deficiencies. |
| when you are inactive. Moving the legs | | | | |
| relieves the discomfort, at least | | | | Restless leg syndrome is a real condition |
| temporarily. | | | | that can leave you feeling tired and makes |
| | | | you vulnerable to depression and heart |
| If these symptoms are familiar, then a good | | | | disease. While the disease is not yet fully |
| first step is to work with your doctor to | | | | understood, it may be caused by deficiencies |
| determine if they're caused by something | | | | in important nutrients. Try these supplements |
| else. Kidney disease or low iron levels both | | | | first before taking a prescription. These |
| are known to cause restless leg syndrome. If | | | | nutrients may be just what your body needs to |
| you have one of these conditions, treating it | | | | quiet your legs so you can get a good night's |
| will also relieve your restless leg symptoms. | | | | rest. |