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- What is restless legs syndrome?
- Symptoms of restless legs syndrome
- Causes of restless legs syndrome
- Prevention of restless legs syndrome
- Risk factors for restless legs syndrome
- Complications of restless legs syndrome
- When to see a doctor about restless legs syndrome
- Diagnosis of restless legs syndrome
- Conventional treatment of restless legs syndrome
- Alternative/complementary treatment of restless legs syndrome
- Living with restless legs syndrome
- Caring for someone with restless legs syndrome
Caring for someone with restless legs syndrome
Partner
If you have a partner with restless legs syndrome, there may be some strategies you can use to assist them:
- Avoid caffeine - encourage your partner not to drink any liquids which have a high caffeine content, such as coffee and tea (this includes green tea) and energy drinks and foods high in caffeine, such as chocolate as the caffeine will only exacerbate your partner's symptoms
- Avoid smoking - don't smoke inside the house or car, as the exposure to second-hand smoke can aggravate your partner's symptoms. If you need to smoke, do so outside, away from your partner to reduce their exposure
- Hot and cold packs - use alternating hot and cold packs on your partner's limbs when the pain is at its worst. Keep each pack on for about 10 minutes (use a towel on your child's skin so you do not burn or freeze it) and then alternate with the other pack. Keep the skin free for about 10 minutes after one rotation and then start again. It is more beneficial (and less stressful for your partner), if you take responsibility for the application of the hot and cold packs, because if they are just lying down they can relax more easily, than if they have to monitor the time that the hot and cold packs need to be removed and having to get up to do this reduces their relaxation, even if the pain starts to subside
- Massage - if you are good with your hands, you could try to very gently massage your partner's legs with as little pressure as possible, to avoid hurting them or any other complications. The warmth of your hands may help to heat their legs and this may assist with increasing circulation and so reducing symptoms
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Friends
If you have a friend with restless legs syndrome, there may be some strategies you can use to assist them:
- Avoid alcohol - one of the risk factors that can greatly increase symptoms is alcohol, so make your time together alcohol-free to help your friend prevent worsening of their symptoms
- Avoid smoking - if you are with your friend, avoid smoking near them as exposure to second-hand smoke can aggravate their symptoms
- Support - it is really important to be supportive of your friend, as they may be going through a difficult time when their symptoms are at their worst due to the insomnia, pain and inability to concentrate properly
Parents
If you have a child with restless legs syndrome, there may be some strategies you can use to assist them:
- Avoid caffeine - ensure your child is not drinking any of the energy drinks, many of which are packed with more caffeine than a very strong cup of coffee, as these can greatly increase symptoms
- Avoid smoking - don't smoke inside the house or car, as the exposure to second-hand smoke can aggravate your child's symptoms. If you need to smoke, do so outside, away from your child to reduce their exposure
- Adequate nutrients - ensure your child is eating foods high in iron, magnesium, folic acid and vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) to avoid a deficiency in these nutrients. Ensure your child has had a blood test to confirm if their levels of these nutrients are not too low, but if they are, your doctor will advise they take supplements, so you will need to ensure they take these on time and the correct dosage
- Herbs for insomnia - there are many herbs which are recommended to help induce sleep and reduce the effects of insomnia, but talk to your doctor first before trying any, as they may conflict with your child's current medications or condition
- Hot and cold packs - use alternating hot and cold packs on your child's limbs when the pain is at its worst. Keep each pack on for about 10 minutes (use a towel on your child's skin so you do not burn or freeze it) and then alternate with the other pack. Keep the skin free for about 10 minutes after one rotation and then start again
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< living with restless legs syndrome Last reviewed: 29 October 2007 || Last updated: 5 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
