Is restless leg syndrome (RLS) keeping you up at night? Portland and Astoria, OR, sleep medicine specialists Dr. Gerald Rich, Dr. Radhika Breaden and Dr. Gregory Clark share a few tips that will help you cope with RLS.

What is RLS?

RLS causes a creepy, crawly, tingling sensation in your legs that makes it impossible to stay still. Moving relieves the symptoms, but often they occur again as soon as you sit or lie down. Although the annoying symptoms of RLS can occur during the day, people tend to notice them more at night when they're trying to fall asleep.

Nobody knows why some people get RLS, but the symptoms can be worse if you don't get enough sleep, drink alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, or use nicotine products. In some cases, RLS can be caused by nerve damage, kidney failure or iron deficiency.

How can I relieve my RLS symptoms?

You may find that RLS symptoms occur less often if you:

• Apply Heat to Your Legs: Soaking your legs in warm water or using a heating pad relaxes your muscles and may decrease your symptoms.
• Try a Nightly Massasge: Massage also helps relax leg muscles. Spending a few minutes kneading your calf muscles before you go to bed just may help prevent those uncomfortable sensations.
•  Exercise:  If exercise is your favorite stress buster, be sure to indulge in a workout early in the day. Exercising too close to bedtime can make it difficult to fall asleep. If exercise is your favorite stress buster, be sure to indulge in a workout early in the day. Exercising too close to bedtime can make it difficult to fall asleep.
• Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Do you go to bed at the same time every night? If you don't maintain the same schedule, you may become chronically fatigued. Although being tired may seem like the ideal way to get a good night's sleep, fatigue may increase your RLS symptoms.

If those tips don't help, give us a call at our Portland or Astoria, OR office. Our sleep medicine specialists can offer recommendations and medications that will help you sleep better and eliminate those unpleasant sensations in your legs.

Restless leg syndrome treatment can relieve your discomfort. If you're troubled by RLS, schedule an appointment with sleep medicine specialists Dr. Gerald Rich, Dr. Radhika Breaden and Dr. Gregory Clark by calling (503) 325-3126 for the Astoria, OR, office or (503) 228-4414 for the Portland, OR, office.