Restless legs syndrome usually appears in the evening, at bedtime, and can cause hot and cold sensations in the legs, tingling or tingling sensations. These symptoms affect around 8.5% of French people according to Health Insurance and can be very unpleasant. On his Instagram account, Dr Olivier Sillam, neurologist, explains the first reflex to have when suffering from this restless legs syndrome.
Impatience in the legs: what are the signs and how to react?
The neurologist first points out that restlessness in the legs occurs at rest and particularly in the evening, when lying down. “These symptoms will disappear or at least be greatly improved by moving”he adds.
But then, what should we do if we suffer from restless legs syndrome and the unpleasant symptoms that accompany it are part of our daily lives? The doctor first recommends taking a blood test to measure iron. In question : “an iron deficiency, that is to say iron deficiencywill significantly aggravate the syndrome”.
Health Insurance indicates that if the precise causes of restless legs syndrome are unknown, two factors play a role in its triggering: the lack of dopamine in certain regions of the brain and spinal cord, but also that the lack of iron, with or without anemia.
The neurologist indicates that iron supplementation can thus have a positive effect on restlessness and restless legs syndrome. “When this is not enough, there are other treatments to relieve the symptoms”he adds.
How to treat restless legs syndrome?
How to treat restless legs syndrome? Changes in lifestyle can alleviate the symptoms, indicates Health Insurance. But in certain cases, medications such as dopamine agonists can be prescribed by the neurologist, as indicated by Dr. Laurène Leclair-Visonneau, neurologist at the Sleep Center of the Nantes University Hospital, in a previous interview given to Current wife. However, they are not always well tolerated. Hot baths, massages or even stretching can help temporarily relieve the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
Sources:
- Instagram video of Dr Olivier Sillam, neurologist (01/17/24)
- Health insurance – Restless legs syndrome (restless legs syndrome)
- Interview with Dr Laurène Leclair-Visonneau, neurologist at the Sleep Center of Nantes University Hospital, Femme Actuelle (03/23/18)