Advice on Foot Care

RLS or Restless Leg Syndrome is a disorder characterized by an intense urge to move the legs. The urge to move is accompanied by leg discomfort or pain. The discomfort generally begins at times of rest or inactivity and is relieved by movement or activity. It is no surprise that RLS symptoms generally occur in the evening or at night.

RLS is more common in women than in men and is more common in adults than in children. About 10-12 million American are affected by RLS and it tends to run in families.

The cause of RLS is unknown, but researchers suspect an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine. Dopamine sends messages to the muscles to control movement. One theory for the cause of RLS is a deficiency in the amount of iron in the brain. Low levels of brain iron can lead to a dysfunction of the dopamine pathways in the brain. Abnormal function of the dopamine pathways in the brain can lead to the symptoms of RLS. RLS may be related to other medical problems like peripheral neuropathy (commonly seen in diabetics) or kidney failure.

What you can do:

1. Follow a regular sleep schedule
2. Engage in regular physical activity
3. Decrease stress with relaxation techniques. Stress can aggravate RLS
4. Perform stretching exercises or try yoga in the evening or before sleep
5. Take a hot bath and gently stretch the legs before bed. Sometimes cold baths work.
6. Alternate between hot and cold packs on the affected muscles before sleep
7. Engage in a mentally engrossing activity before sleep (book, crossword puzzle)
8. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain reliever such as ibuprofen or naproxen when symptoms begin.
9. Minimize the use of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and anti-histamines. All of these may aggravate the RLS.
10. Adjust your activities. Reading, movies, long drives or plane rides might be best in the morning, while exercise or housework may be best done in the evenings.

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