Home
| Health
| Nervous System
| Restless Leg Syndrome
| First Aid for Restless Leg Syndrome
First Aid for Restless Leg Syndrome
by Eric Smith
-
Overview
Restless legs syndrome, or RLS, causes the legs to feel uncomfortable while a patient is seated or lying down. Individuals often feel tingling, burning or aching sensations in their legs. Lifestyle changes and medications can provide relief from RLS.
-
Pain Relievers
According to the Mayo Clinic, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen may provide relief for people with milder cases of RLS.
-
Warm and Cold Packs
Warm or cold packs may provide RLS relief when they are placed on the legs.
-
Relaxation Techniques
High stress levels can aggravate RLS and patients may experience reduced RLS symptoms when they practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.
-
Exercise
Moderate exercise can lessen the symptoms of RLS when a patient exercises regularly.
-
Medications
Doctors may prescribe pramipexole, ropinirole or a combination of levodopa and carbidopa to reduce the amount of leg movement that a patient experiences while at rest. Epilepsy medications such as gabapentin may provide relief to RLS sufferers.
