Restless leg syndrome affects millions across the world. It is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease. It can be treated by changing lifestyle, home remedies, and also with over-the-counter medications. RLS causes pain or sensations in the leg when a person is lying down. You may feel as though you are exercising even when you aren’t moving. It is a more prominent issue with women than men. The most distinguishable feature of this syndrome is that the patients will have restless legs at night.

Causes of restless leg syndrome
It is a neurological condition where there are sensations in the leg, preventing the person from resting or sleeping at night. It makes the person uncomfortable and is even painful at times. Studies have shown that the reason behind it is low iron content in the brain. There are also indications which show that it can be caused due to an imbalance of dopamine.

If a person in your family has it, you are 60% more vulnerable to it. It is most common in adults, especially women. There are mild symptoms that can be observed in early adulthood. However, it sets in severely as the person ages.

RLS is also experienced by 40% of women when they are pregnant. It causes restlessness in sleep, thus disrupting the rest that body requires.

Signs you have restless leg syndrome
The fact is that one out of 10 people is documented with RLS. It is best not to ignore any signs of it. There are ways in which the condition can be tracked. Thus, early diagnosis is the key to prevent it from worsening further.

The symptoms of this syndrome vary from one person to another. It is even described differently by each person. Itching, tingling, pulling, crawling, burning, and aching are some of the ways in which the sensation is described. It’s extremely uncomfortable and painful in some cases.

• The condition makes the person want to move their legs constantly. The sensation takes over when they lie still. In some cases, the movement of the foot may even be involuntary.
• It sets in specifically when the leg is immobile. It could be when you are sitting or lying down.
• The conditions worsen at night. Restless legs at night is a telltale sign of RLS.
• You will feel relief as long as you are walking.
• Involuntary jerking of the leg is not uncommon in patients diagnosed with RLS.

Some may experience a mild version of the above-mentioned symptoms while it may be more severe for others. There are several ways in which you can fight the restless legs at night.

How to overcome restless legs syndrome

• Relax
  The RLS was seen to get worse when the person was overworked or stressed. Make sure that you are relaxed and calm. You can try meditating before you go to bed to avoid restless legs at night.

• Have a limited exercise regime
  If you are planning a new workout, slowly ease your way into it. You might experience restless legs at night if you overdo it. Be smart and maintain a stable exercise level every day. At the same time, ensure that you do get some exercise as it is needed to prevent RLS. Yoga is shown to help several people who have restless leg syndrome. The symptoms are less severe in those who practice yoga regularly.

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking
  These are said to worsen the RLS. Alcohol is known to disrupt sleep. You can find yourself awake in the middle of the night with RLS. Caffeine acts as a trigger for a few patients while it helped control RLS on others. Find which category you fall into and monitor how your system reacts to it. The nicotine present in cigarettes impairs blood flow. Curbing the blood flow to the foot can make the condition worse.

• Healthy diet
  A healthy diet will improve your immune system and also help you sleep better. Avoid foods that can keep you up at night. It is also wise to drink water in limited quantities before hitting the bed.

• Ensure you are in the right environment
  Since RLS prevents people from getting a good night’s rest, ensure that your surroundings have no disturbances. Keep your gadgets away and go to bed at the same time every night. This way you will fall into a routine and keep the RLS at bay. Have a clean blanket and pillow cover. You can even play soothing music to fall asleep.

If none of these remedies prevent restless legs at night, you should consult a doctor. There are medications that can help relax your muscles and let you sleep peacefully. There have been studies that show the connection between vitamin D deficiency and RLS. You can take supplements once your doctor approves of it.