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Alternative Approaches to Pain Relief
Pain. The great leveler. The rich feel it. So do the poor, the happy, the sad, tall, and short. And, of course, article writers, too. It’s therefore not surprising to note that since the dawn of time, humans have attempted to discover ways to...
Cleansing liver of toxins
Question : I'M planning to start up a detoxification programme
as I've been eating out a lot and often have to hang out with
smokers for business purposes. I often have a bloated stomach
and suffer from fatigue.
Answer : OF course it is...
Ephedra Is BACK: But Is It Safe?
It’s been called the world’s oldest medicine, the miracle fat burner, and is known in some parts of the U.S. as “Mormon tea.” Ephedra (also called Ma-huang or epitonin) has been used for its healing powers for more than 5000 years by the Chinese,...
Herbal Therapy
Herbal Therapy, also referred to as Herbalism, is one of the oldest healthcare means known to mankind. In fact, herbal therapy is the utilization of herbs for various therapies, remedies or medicinal purposes. Derived from plants, herbs are used...
The Top 10 Design Tools for Enhancing Your Spiritual Connectedness
Looking for tools to design your day in a more spiritual way? This top ten, taken from CoachVille's Personal Environments Community at http://cid384.cvcommunity.com/?tabInx=webpage , describes design tools you can tap into in order to "be source"...
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Restless Legs Syndrome - The Management of a Serious Sleep Disorder
Restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is seen as both a neuromuscular disorder and a sleep disorder. Less frequently diagnosed than sleep disorders like narcolepsy, sleep apnea and insomnia, restless legs syndrome is nonetheless a significant and serious sleep problem.
Characterized by a tingling, crawling or prickling sensation in the legs and feet, restless legs syndrome sufferers experience an overwhelming desire to move their legs in order to find relief. Many sufferers also find that the symptoms seem to worsen in the late afternoon and evening, especially when sitting or lying down.
Restless legs syndrome can also include instances of periodic limb movement (PLM), a condition characterized by the sudden, involuntary movement or twitching of the legs and feet – often to the extent that it disrupts sleep. It is the overwhelming desire to move the legs and the frequent presences of periodic limb movement that, in large part, earn restless legs syndrome its classification as a sleep disorder.
Chronic instances of restless legs syndrome make it virtually impossible for the sufferer to get to sleep, let alone stay asleep, thereby generating a related case of severe insomnia. If left untreated, the condition, and the resulting insomnia, can lead to severe physical and psychological health problems. In fact, restless legs syndrome is often associated with depression and irritability, as well as occupational, social and marital problems.
As with most common sleep disorders, diagnosing restless legs syndrome can take time and a proper diagnosis requires the attention of an experienced medical professional. Because some of the symptoms can be associated with other neuromuscular and sleep disorders, it is also important to undergo specialized sleep tests before a diagnosis is confirmed. These tests can include neurological evaluations, reflex tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as somnography (sleep pattern
analysis).
Once the diagnosis has been established, the treatment and management of restless legs syndrome can include simple lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments and activities to promote a better night's sleep. Because the symptoms typically become more severe with fatigue or inactivity, maintaining a regular sleep schedule with a consistent bed time and waking time is extremely important. Likewise, regular exercise and limited caffeine and nicotine intake can also help limit the neurological stimulation that triggers restless legs symptoms.
Additional options for managing this condition, and other sleep disorders, include massage, yoga and guided meditation for relaxation (a good complement to regular exercise and planned activities for reducing the symptoms of restless legs syndrome) and the use of natural herbal remedies that can help train the body to adhere to a routine sleep cycle and induce a restful and restorative night's sleep.
Copyright © 2005 Donald Saunders Help Me To Sleep Affiliates
About the Author
Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including:
"Help Me To Sleep - A Guide To Natural Sleep Remedies", "Jet Lag - An Alternative Approach", "Shift Work Insomnia" and "The Art of Meditation - A Guide To Meditation, Breathing and Relaxation Techniques"
For further details please visit Restless Legs Syndrome
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