Rest for Restless Legs
Got a creepy-crawly sensation in your legs that gets worse at night? You may be one of the millions of people suffering from restless-legs syndrome. Although RLS can occur during the day while sitting or lying down, studies show the condition tends to worsen at night. Here’s what you need to know
Who has it?
It’s often genetic. If one of your parents has RLS, you have a 50 percent chance of developing the disorder. Low levels of the nerve transmitter dopamine is one possible cause. But in younger women, restless legs can also be a sign of anemia. Ten percent of women diagnosed with RLS first developed symptoms during pregnancy due to the powerful hormonal changes occuring.
The Cure:
If you’re anemic, taking an iron supplement will often do the trick. Doctors also recommend 30 minutes of daily excercise while cutting cafeince and alcohol intake. Approximately 10 percent of sufferers require medication, usually the dopamine enchancing drug Sinemet.
