You’ve finished dinner and are doing your best to relax on the couch in front of the TV when suddenly you get the overwhelming urge to move your Leg. You may even feel some pain or a prickling/burning sensation. Moving your Leg around helps, but once you stop, the urge starts up again. You head to bed and it gets worse, making it virtually impossible to sleep. This, on top of your Fibro pain leads to a sleepless night. In the morning you wake in pain. Your adrenal fatigue is off the charts and by 3:00pm, the adrenal stress response kicks in and the classic Fibro crash starts. Exhausted, later that night, this vicious cycle repeats itself … and so the Fibro nightmare continues!
What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Restless Leg syndrome (RLS) is marked by the overwhelming urge to move your Leg, especially when sitting or lying down. It dramatically impacts sleep in more than 90% of sufferers. It’s not entirely clear what causes RLS, but genes do play a role. Iron deficiency in the brain, lack of sleep, and dopamine shortage are also believed to play a role.
Restless Leg syndrome, or RLS, is considered both a sleep and neurological disorder. Symptoms can vary but sufferers typically experience:
1. The irresistible urge to move their Leg
2. Pain, achiness, tingling, brining, itchiness or a pins-and-needles sensation in the Leg.
3. Symptoms tend to get worse in the late afternoon and evening
4. Moving the Leg relieves some symptoms, but once they stop moving, the sensations return
What Causes RLS?
It’s not entirely clear what causes restless Leg syndrome. There’s growing evidence that genes play a role. Other possible causes include:
- Low levels of Dopamine;
- Lack of sleep;
- Dysfunction in the basal ganglia (a part of the brain connected to movement);
- Lactic acid build up in the muscles; and
- Electrolyte imbalance, particularly a potassium or magnesium deficiency;
Treating RLS:
There are several treatments options for RLS including:
1. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is widely distributed throughout the central nervous system and is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA supplementation can increase dopamine levels which can reduce the onset of RLS.
2. Magnesium as Glycinate which works to moderate muscle function and ‘relax’ the body. The vast majority of RLS sufferers are also Magnesium deficient.
3. Magnesium Chloride bath salts. Feet, soaked in a bucket or foot spa filled with hot water and three to four coffee cups of Magnesium Chloride can dramatically reduce RLS.
4. Iron (Ferrous as Gluconate). One of the most common deficiencies associated with RLS is low Iron. Studies have shown that Ferrous an Gluconate dramatically reduces RLS symptoms.
5. Methyl B12 and methyl folate. Studies have suggested that Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency may cause RLS. B12 is required for proper brain function, and a deficiency in B12 usually leads to a deficiency in Folate.
6. Melatonin in ‘Troche’ form. Quick release 5mg Melatonin in Troche form has been shown to dramatically improve sleep, reducing adrenal fatigue and the onset of RLS.
Elixir compounds a range of Advanced Nutrients that address RLS. So, if you or someone you love is suffering, contact Elixir today to see how you could get the relief you deserve. We offer complementary face-to-face or phone consultations where we can discuss your individual symptoms and recommend a treatment protocol to get that leg party under control.
Comments