Restless Legs Syndrome Home Remedies

Surveys in the United States and Canada have found that 15 to 25 percent of adults experience unpleasant feelings in their legs especially at night, at least some of the time. The problem appears to be more common in women than in men, and especially prevalent in the elderly.

According to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, people describe the sensation as feeling like an electrical current flowing through the legs, a "creepy crawly" feeling, aching or itching bones, a sensation "like Coca-Cola bubbling through the veins," "crazy legs," and "the gotta moves." If this sounds all too familiar to you, chances are you have restless legs syndrome.

The condition, also known as Ekbom syndrome, is usually a chronic annoyance rather than a symptom of a larger disorder.

"Typically both lower legs are affected, although the thighs and even the arms can be involved," says Lawrence Z. Stern, M.D. It's not always symmetrical; sometimes it occurs in only one limb.

The origin of the sensations is unknown. Some researchers suspect that an imbalance in the brain's chemistry may be the root cause of the problem. A problem with iron metabolism may also be a contributor, and genetics are thought to play a role.

Whatever the cause, restless legs syndrome can be very frustrating to those who have it, and it can significantly interfere with sleep. Here are a few steps to quiet those jumpy legs.