Restless Legs Syndrome: Is there restlessness or tingling in the legs at night? This disease can take away your peaceful sleep, know the symptoms and prevention measures

News India Live, Digital Desk: Restless legs syndrome is a condition related to the nervous system, in which a person has a strong desire to move his legs. This problem often worsens in the evening or at night, when you are resting. Key Signs of RLS: Desire to move the legs: A strange feeling of movement in the legs when sitting or lying down, which is relieved only by moving the legs. Strange sensation: A feeling of something crawling, itching, burning or electric shock inside the legs. Worse at night: Its symptoms are most active at night, Due to which it becomes difficult to get deep sleep (REM Sleep). Jerks during sleep: Sometimes the legs jerk automatically while sleeping, which is called Periodic Limb Movement (PLMD). Why does this restlessness occur in the legs? (Major Causes) According to doctors, there can be many reasons behind this: Iron deficiency: Due to low iron level in the body, the balance of Dopamine in the brain gets disturbed, which is necessary for muscle control. Genetics: If someone in your family has this problem, then your chances of getting it increases. Chronic diseases: Symptoms of RLS are also seen in conditions like kidney failure, diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. Lifestyle: Excessive Caffeine (coffee/tea), alcohol consumption and smoking can trigger this problem. Effective measures to get relief (Prevention & Remedies) Regular exercise: Walking or stretching the legs helps in reducing the symptoms. However, avoid heavy workouts at night. Iron-rich diet: Include spinach, pulses and red meat in your diet. You can also take iron supplements on doctor’s advice. Hot or cold compress: Soaking the feet in lukewarm water or using ice packs before sleeping is beneficial. Massage: Massaging the feet with oil improves blood circulation and relaxes the muscles. Reduce caffeine: Avoid taking tea, coffee or soda in the evening so that the nervous system remains calm. Expert advice: If this problem is affecting your daily functionality, immediately consult a neurologist. Contact Neurologist.