Restless Legs Syndrome – Australia – advice on treatment of RLS, a major cause of insomnia



		Treatments for RLS


		Remember that before taking any medication it is imperative that you consult with doctor/ pharmacist to make sure that you are on the right treatment. Some treatments that work for some people may not work for you. There are a number of medical treatments and alternative therapies available for RLS which are covered in these pages. However, it is important to follow a number of general ‘sleep hygiene’ tips to help encourage a good night’s sleep. Advice on how to improve sleep The sleep environment should be optimised, so that the bed is comfortable and the bedroom is dark and quiet A routine should be adhered to, by going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning (to stabilise circadian rhythms) Naps should be avoided. A brief sleep – less than 10 minutes – in the early afternoon is permitted. Naps should not be taken in the early evening Exercise during the day can help to improve alertness and initiate sleep at night. Please note that excessive exercise immediately before bedtime can prevent sleep Food should not be consumed late in the evening Caffeinated drinks should be avoided late in the day Physical and mental relaxation before going to bed may help – e.g. take a warm bath, unwind from the day’s events Substances to avoid Avoidance of alcohol may help some patients, particularly those with a family history of RLS. In one study, 17.5% of individuals with a family history of RLS reported that alcohol worsened their symptoms. Avoidance of caffeine-containing drinks is commonly advised, but the evidence linking RLS and caffeine intake is sparse. However, it seems sensible that a substance that delays sleep onset is not going to help sleep hygiene. Smoking cessation is sometimes recommended, but while it is clearly desirable from a general health perspective, the medical evidence for this in RLS is ambiguous. Smoking is thought to exacerbate RLS, and a study has found RLS to be more common in smokers. However, another study found no association between smoking and either RLS or PLMS.