Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) refers to a condition whereby a person has an irresistible desire to move the legs to relieve discomforting sensations felt in the lower limbs. Not really a life-threatening disorder, this condition, however, could create inter-personal or social problems for the affected persons due to the annoyance or disturbance caused to people around them at home, work or public place.
Homeopathic system of medicine provides a simple, safe and successful line of treatment in cases of Restless Leg Syndrome. Homeopathic remedies are drawn from natural, non-toxic substances and thus have no side effects. They help to reduce the intensity of symptoms including restlessness and unpleasant sensation in the legs gradually. Not just symptomatic relief it further works to cure this condition. The medicines used in the conventional system for treating Restless Leg Syndrome are temporary and, beyond a point of time, they stop working and become ineffective. They also carry a risk of side effects, including day drowsiness, fatigue, and nausea. The homeopathic mode of treatment, on the other hand, offers complete riddance of Restless Leg Syndrome. There is no chance of any side effects in this mode.
Homeopathic medicines focus on treating the underlying root cause of RLS and work to relax the nervous system. As a result, the various discomforting sensations in the legs that lead to Restless Leg Syndrome are wonderfully controlled with homeopathic medicines and the patient can enjoy a sound sleep.
There is a long list of homeopathic medicines to manage RLS. Among these, the selection of medicine is based on the individual constitution of the patient and customised to suit his/her unique requirements. Constitution means the sum total of symptoms related to the mind and physical body in addition to the unique emotional quotient of a person. Such well selected medicines bring great cures in cases of RLS.
Homeopathic medicines do not cause any type of dependency. These medicines have to be continued for the time duration as suggested by a homeopathic physician who recommends them according to the intensity and duration of the problem. One does not need to take these medicines for a lifetime. On getting the desired results, these can be easily discontinued gradually.
Top 6 Homeopathic Remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome
The highly recommended medicines for Restless Leg Syndrome are Zincum Met, Tarentula Hispanica, Rhus Tox, Arsenic Album, Medorrhinum and Causticum.
1. Zincum Met – Top Most Medicine
Zincum Met is one of the best homeopathic medicines for treating RLS which disturbs the person at night. It is used when there is marked uneasiness in the legs. The person finds it impossible to relax and find a comforting place for the legs when at rest. The constant motion of the legs is needed to find little relief. The complaint is worse during sleep. The person keeps moving his feet in bed for many hours when he/she goes to sleep. A formication or insects crawling sensation can be felt in the legs. Sometimes, a tension or pressure is felt in the legs. At times, drawing pain in the legs may be felt in the evening.
When to use Zincum Met?
Zincum Met is recommended to manage RLS with excessive uneasiness in the legs which gets worse in bed for many hours.
How to use Zincum Met?
This medicine works wonders in 30C power that can be used once a day.
2. Tarentula Hispanica – For Restless Legs Worse In The Evening & Night In Bed
This medicine is highly valuable when there is marked restlessness of legs as well as hands which are in constant motion. Persons who need this medicine feel uneasiness in the legs that compels them to move their legs constantly. The uneasiness also makes the person wake up and move constantly to ease the symptoms. The complaint gets worse in the evening and at night when lying in bed.
When to use Tarentula Hispanica?
It is a very suitable medicine for RLS with excessive restlessness of legs which gets worse in the evening and also when lying in bed at night.
How to use Tarentula Hispanica?
One may use this medicine in 30C potency once a day.
3. Rhus Tox – For RLS Due To Pain In Leg Muscles
Rhus Tox is a wonderful remedy for RLS when the legs get restless due to pain in leg muscles. It is useful when a person finds it difficult to keep the legs in a relaxed position while sitting or at night after heavy exertion during day time. There is a desire to stretch the legs, rest worsens the symptoms. The constant motion of legs provides relief. Along with aching, a crawling, tingling sensation may also be felt in the legs at night. There is a desire to constantly move the legs back and forth which leads to sleeplessness. Rhus Tox is also considered when legs get restless at night after over-exerting in the daytime.
When to use Rhus Tox?
This medicine is apt for cases of restless leg syndrome due to pain in leg muscles with an urge to move legs constantly. The complaint gets worse at rest.
How to use Rhus Tox?
Though it can be used in different potencies, in the beginning it is best to take it in 30C potency twice or thrice a day.
4. Arsenic Album – For RLS Worse At Night
Arsenic Album is useful when restlessness of legs gets worse at night. There is a desire to keep walking to get relief which leads to sleeplessness. Other than legs, restlessness may also be felt in the head with an urge to constantly move the head.
When to use Arsenic Album?
This medicine can be considered in cases of Restless Leg Syndrome worsening at night.
How to use Arsenic Album?
30 C is the most frequently suggested potency of this medicine for treating RLS. Arsenic Album 30C can be taken one to two times a day.
5. Medorrhinum – For RLS With Burning In Feet Worse At Rest
Medorrhinum is the appropriate choice when there is pain in legs with difficulty in keeping them still even for a moment. The complaint gets worse when relaxing and in bed, when trying to sleep. Burning in the feet may be an accompanying symptom.
When to use Medorrhinum?
This medicine can be used in RLS when there occurs burning in feet along with restlessness in legs worse at rest.
How to use Medorrhinum?
This medicine is mostly used in high potencies like 200C, 1M in infrequent doses. In the beginning it is advised to use it in 200C power just one dose on a weekly basis.
6. Causticum – For Restless Leg With Twitching And Heaviness In Legs
Causticum is considered when the person has a twitching sensation in the legs along with heaviness. There is a need to move the feet constantly or walk about to get relief. A drawing pain or a pulling sensation in legs also occurs. The sufferer keeps moving his legs constantly during sleep. Besides, there may be a complaint of an electric shock-like sensation in the legs.
When to use Causticum?
It is the best medicine for RLS when restlessness in legs is accompanied with twitching and heaviness in legs with an urge to move feet constantly.
How to use Causticum?
Causticum 30C can be used once or twice a day.
Symptoms Of Restless Leg Syndrome
The symptoms of RLS occur in both the legs in most cases, however, in some people, they affect only on one side. It affects the legs mostly, but the arms and head may be affected as well.
The Restless Leg Syndrome manifests itself in a couple of ways as follows:
1. Urge to move legs: A compulsive or uncontrollable urge to move legs to get rid of various unpleasant sensations felt in the legs.
2. Sensations in legs: The various sensations vary from creeping, tingling, crawling, and pin-pricking to aching and throbbing, burning, and electric sensations. Some people find it difficult to explain the sensations they have in their legs.
3. Worsening time:The symptoms get worse at rest mainly at evening/night; in lying or sitting position, when you are relaxing.
4. Relieving factors: Movements, stretching, and walking relieves the symptoms.
5. As the symptoms get worse at night, it makes sleeping difficult at night which causes daytime drowsiness, fatigue, irritability, diffand iculty in concentration the following morning.
6. The above-mentioned symptoms may come and go and vary in intensity. These may be only present at night or in some people the entire day and night. For some, it is a minor problem while for others, it can be quite troublesome, impairing quality of life. The symptoms seem to worsen with age.
Causes Of Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome cannot be attributed to any specific causes. However, certain pointers may indicate RLS, which are as follows:
1. A genetic tendency towards developing RLS has been noted. In about 90% of the people suffering from RLS, a family history of this complaint is often present.
2. It is also suggested that imbalance of dopamine levels (a brain chemical which sends signals for muscle movement) may cause RLS. Parkinson’s disease is also linked with reduced dopamine levels. This is the reason that some people having Parkinson’s disease are also seen to be suffering from RLS.
3. Low iron levels in the brain may contribute to Restless Leg Syndrome.
4. There are other many medical conditions linked with RLS like:
varicose veins (swollen, enlarged, twisted veins), depression, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (weakness, numbness, or pain in hands or feet from nerve damage), rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune joint disorder that causes joint inflammation), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
5. Use of certain medicines is also associated with the development of RLS, like antidepressants, medicines to treat allergies, nausea, etc.
6. RLS can occur during pregnancy. In some women, RLS develops during pregnancy and the symptoms mostly go away after delivery. While if a woman is already suffering from RLS, symptoms may get worse during pregnancy.
7. Women are more at risk of RLS as compared to males.
8. Alcohol and caffeine can trigger symptoms of RLS.
Types of RLS
RLS is of two types, primary and secondary:
1. Primary(Idiopathic) RLS: It includes RLS that occurs without any known cause and is more common among the two types. It starts before the age of around 40 and appears gradually. Its symptoms may go away after several months or years but it is a lifelong condition that tends to get worse with age.
2. Secondary RLS: RLS that occurs along with a medical condition or use of some drugs is referred to as secondary RLS. It starts suddenly after the age of 40.
Diagnosis
There are no lab investigations to diagnose RLS. It is diagnosed based on the symptom picture given by the patient. The five major hallmark symptoms that confirm its diagnosis are as follows:
1. A strong irresistible urge to move legs attended with uncomfortable sensations in legs
2. Beginning or worsening of symptoms during rest, like lying down or sitting
3. Improvement in symptoms with activity
4. Worsening of symptoms in evening or at night
5. No explainable medical or behavioral cause for the symptoms is present
