Do you suffer from restless leg syndrome? If so, then you’re not alone. RLS is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and can be incredibly disruptive to your daily life. It can cause sleep deprivation, fatigue during the day, and even depression if left untreated for too long.
The interesting thing is you could try out a weighted blanket to help your symptoms. They have worked wonders in many! No prescription medications or expensive treatments are required if you try a heavy blanket that could potentially stop your RLS symptoms.
What Is RLS?
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that affects many people around the world. The symptoms of RLS can vary from person to person, but can generally be categorized as an uncomfortable sensations in the legs that can cause an overwhelming urge to move them.
RLS can affect all age groups. However, for most people, the golden age is 45 years old. The disorder is more common in women than men.
This sensation usually occurs when a person is sitting or lying down and can be accompanied by an aching, tingling, or electric shocks sensation. In severe cases, RLS can also cause physical symptoms such as pain in the legs, feet, or back.
RLS can be very disruptive and can affect people’s sleep cycles. They happen mostly at night when a person is trying to get a restful sleep. This can lead to fatigue, irritability, and problems with concentration.
It is important to seek treatment for RLS if you are experiencing symptoms, as it can impact your mental and physical health.
What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?
The cause of primary RLS is unknown, but it is believed to be related to how the brain controls movement.
Restless Legs Syndrome is categorized into two types: primary and secondary. Primary RLS is diagnosed when there is no known underlying medical cause for the syndrome.
Secondary RLS, on the other hand, is diagnosed when there are underling medical conditions causing the syndrome. Some of the most common causes of secondary RLS include pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney failure.
Scientists are still looking for the cause of primary RLS, but they have found a genetic component to this. It’s likely running in your family if there is an association with this disorder too!
Dopamine is a key player in our brain’s movement coordination system. It is a neurotransmitter that ensures your brain and nervous system communicate with each other so you can move properly.
The problem arises when these levels drop, resulting in muscle spasms and involuntary muscle movement in parts of our body.
Because our dopamine levels naturally drop at the end of the day, people who have RLS frequently suffer more debilitating symptoms at night.
Treatment of RLS
There is no cure for restless legs syndrome, but there are treatments that can help relieve the symptoms. Like many chronic conditions, RLS is best managed with a combination of therapies that work together.
These treatments include simple lifestyle changes, prescribed medications, and home remedies like weighted blankets.
If you are concerned with your symptoms, make sure you seek medical attention and do not solely rely on this article! (even if our article is awesome!)
Can a weighted blanket help with restless leg syndrome?
Yes, weighted blankets could help reduce symptoms of restless legs syndrome according to many users’ experience.
Weighted blankets work by providing deep touch pressure, which is known to release hormones that ease nerves and promote relaxation. This gentle pressure is important in managing RLS as it can help those twitchy muscles to calm down.
Deep touch pressure has been shown to reduce cortisol levels which is a stress hormone. This can aggravate RLS symptoms. This can help soothe and calm the mind, leading to release of sleep hormone and a reduction in overall RLS symptoms.
If you are suffering from RLS, it is worth trying a weighted blanket to see if it helps. Make sure to choose one that is 10% of your body weight, as too heavy or too light of a blanket will not be effective.
Besides weighted blankets, other home remedies can act as a natural treatment to help manage RLS symptoms.
Home Remedies:
- Yoga and stretches: Yoga and stretches are a great way to loosen up those tense leg muscles and help you relax. They can be especially helpful right before bedtime.
- Relaxation: Taking time for relaxation each day can help reduce stress levels, which can aggravate RLS symptoms. Try practices like meditation, deep breathing, or aromatherapy.
- Hot/warm bath: A hot or warm bath can help to relax the body and ease RLS symptoms. Add some soothing aromatherapy oils or add a few drops of lavender oil to your bathtub to really reap the benefits.
Lifestyle habit changes:
There are several lifestyle changes you can make to help manage restless legs syndrome symptoms.
- Avoid sugar and caffeine before bedtime: These substances can aggravate restless leg syndrome symptoms and keep you from getting good sleep quality.
- Include iron and magnesium in your diet: Deficiencies in these minerals can contribute to RLS. You can find good sources of magnesium in leafy green vegetables, nuts, and legumes, and sources of iron in lean red meat, poultry, and fish. You can take iron supplements if you don’t eat meat.
- Quit smoking and alcohol consumption: Surprise, surprise! The greatest things you can do for your health condition if you smoke cigarettes or consume too much are to stop doing these. Nicotine and alcohol can aggravate RLS symptoms.
- Practice good sleep hygiene: Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool, and avoid blue light exposure at night. It’s important to get the basics of good sleep hygiene down if you’re struggling with RLS.
Medical treatment of RLS:
There are a few different types of medications that can be prescribed for restless leg syndrome:
Dopamine agonists: Dopamine agonists work by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain, which increases dopamine levels. This helps to relieve RLS symptoms. Ropinirole and pramipexole are two common dopamine agonists prescribed for RLS.
Calcium channel blockers: Gabapentin and Pregabalin are two medications that work by blocking calcium channels, which reduces nerve activity. This helps to relieve RLS symptoms.
Side effects of these medications can include drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea. It can also take time to find the right dosage of medication that works best for you, and it may require trial and error.
So if you are prescribed one of these medications, be patient and work with your doctor to find the best treatment plan for you.
Conclusion
Weighted blankets are one of the most raved home remedies for RLS because they reduce these pesky and annoying symptoms. If you suffer from restless leg syndrome it’s worth trying weighted blankets or other remedies before considering medication options that may have side effects. Remember: patience will pay off!
FAQ
Do weighted blankets make restless legs worse?
Most people have said that they improve restless legs, but these are anecdotal reports. There haven’t been any scientific studies on the matter yet. However, I would think that a weighted blanket would help because it would add some pressure and sensory input to the body, which might help to calm and relax the nervous system.
How to stop restless legs immediately?
The best way to stop restless legs immediately is to get out of bed and move around. When you’re lying in bed, the muscles in your legs are inactive, which can lead to those restless feelings. Moving around will help get the blood flowing and can help you feel more relaxed.
Can Weighted Blankets cause blood clots?
No, there have been no studies that have claimed this as a side effect. However, if you are pregnant or have a history of blood clots, please consult your doctor before using a weighted blanket.
Ankle weights for restless legs?
Not a very common thing to try, but some people claim it works.
The idea behind using ankle weights for restless legs is that the extra weight will help keep your legs still. However, there’s not a lot of evidence to support this method. Worth a try if you’re desperate!
Who should not use a weighted blanket?
Toddlers under 3 years old, very frail elderly, people with respiratory issues, and those with poor mental health issues like anxiety or OCD.
Does a weighted blanket help with leg pain?
There is some evidence that a weighted blanket can help with chronic pain like osteoarthritis, as the pressure from the weight may help to decrease pain signals being sent to the brain. Thus, theoretically, it should be helpful for leg pain. However, there is no definitive research on this topic yet.
