What Is Restless Leg Syndrome

People who find that their leg starts to shake in a way that they can't control probably have what is called Restless Leg Syndrome. It makes one feel jittery and interrupts one's sleep on many nights. It's very disturbing, but RLS isn't something people talk about in casual converstion about stopping snoring.

That's why the person suffering from it may feel like he or she is all alone in the world. It's an isolating condition. That's why it's wise to start by making an appointment with your primary care doctor to let him or her know of your symptoms.

Describe exactly what's going on. There is treatment for this, but your doctor needs to be current on the latest findings. If the doctor doesn't seem to be, you'll have to seek help elsewhere. Online forums are good places where people directly affected share their stories about what has worked and what hasn't.

What you have is probably a neurological problem, but there isn't consensus on exactly how to best treat it. Medication is usually recommended as a first step, but that may or may not be the way to go depending on the particular individual and how RLS manifests itself.

Discuss the pros and cons of different medications with your physician, because all of these are likely to have side effects and you want to choose well and be aware of the side effects once you start so that you can be on the lookout for any strange reactions.

Also talk about any medications you may already be taking for depression or high blood pressure for example because these may make your RLS worse. Some things are contraindicated and you need to know that as you make your choices.

Potassium and iron are two minerals that may be deficient in someone who has RLS. That's why medication may not even be the way to go. You might want to have your mineral levels measured through testing.

But another thing to do is start taking potassium and iron supplements so that you can check for yourself on the progress you make while you're on them. Self-help is sometimes the way to go with RLS.

It's a condition that often responds well to less stress and more relaxation in someone's life. That's why things like tai chi and yoga can be so helpful. They teach you how to breathe and relax. Doing such a practice several times a week can calm the nervous system. Massage usually has a similar effect of relieving the jitters of the leg. Not everything works for everybody, so you have to try things and see. And it's always good to get into a support program where many people have found success.