If leg cramps or symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome frequently keep you up at night, then you should pay extra attention to this remedy.
Could there be a remedy that lets you get a night’s worth of well-rested sleep? Nothing can get on your nerves more than spending the night tossing and turning in bed when you are experiencing nighttime cramps in your leg. For those experiencing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), it is especially worth giving this remedy a try. Usually when it’s evening or during the nighttime hours, those experiencing RLS might feel the constant urge to move their legs due to an uncomfortable sensation, because moving your legs can give temporary relief to the feeling. Home remedies for medical conditions like this can be a great source of comfort. However, always seek medical help if you find that the unpleasant feeling persists.
Several people have found relief in the strange but possibly effective remedy of keeping a bar of soap under their sheet at night. The likely reason behind this is that the bar of soap releases magnesium which could be the secret behind the relief. For those experiencing RLS, heading out and buying a lavender soap might do the trick, recommended by Dr. Mehmet Oz of The Dr. Oz Show. Try tucking it under your sheet tonight, and the soothing scent can reduce the effects of the symptom. There may not be significant research backing the idea, but if you try it out tonight, you wouldn’t be the first person to have done so.
What’s more is that The Doctors conducted a Twitter poll asking people, "Has putting a bar of soap in your bed helped your feet or leg cramps?" and a significant 42 percent responded saying "yes". Dr. Andrew G. Kowal, a pain management specialist at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington in Massachusetts, also supported the theory of a bar of soap releasing chemical magnesium which could keep a check on your leg cramps, according to www.medicaldaily.com. Apart from trying out the bar soap remedy, Healthline also suggested other remedies such as abstaining from alcohol or caffeine and exercising a healthy amount but not overdoing it.
Dr. Jacob Teitlebaum, author of From Fatigued to Fantastic, recommended a simple way of squeezing the benefits out of magnesium and letting your legs soak up the effect (literally). If you’re a fan of hot baths, try adding two cups of Epsom salts the next time, as they contain magnesium. This can ease out your muscles and help them relax before you go to bed.
It was also noted by Dr. Teitlebaum that one of the triggers for RLS could be low blood sugar. So, a healthy snack that’s a good source of protein before your bedtime routine might do the trick. On one hand, a hard-boiled egg or some chicken can stabilize your blood sugar levels, while on the other hand, carbohydrates and sweets before going to bed would be a bad idea for your blood sugar.
Take a good look at your diet and see if it’s well-balanced to give you all the nutrients you need. Keep an eye on the levels of iron in your body, because it has been observed that a deficiency in iron without anemia could be linked with RLS. Apart from this, make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water and ensuring that you have enough intake of potassium. 68-year old Carol Zepko found that her triggers for RLS were dehydration and a dip in potassium, which is why she recommended drinking water and eating bananas for those suffering from RLS to reduce the symptoms.
The recommendation given by Jolene Matthews, a fitness expert who has had her own share of experiences with RLS, included keeping your legs elevated, making adjustments to have a cooler temperature in your room, and trying out some deep-breathing exercise.
More people experience RLS than type 2 diabetes, yet, it is still a condition that is quite unheard of. One of the most simple and effective tools recommended by the www.rls.org was keeping an RLS symptom diary. This way, you can systematically record information about your symptoms and help yourself tackle it better. While they need not be exact, it’s always best to roughly note down the time you experience the symptoms of RLS and how long they last. Start observing your habits or the things you consume during the day that could be the most likely triggers for the symptoms and note them down.
For instance, if you noticed that you had a cup of coffee or alcohol that day, and you noticed that it worsened your symptoms, it could be a possible trigger for you. It is recommended that you maintain your diary by filling out your symptoms every night as well as every morning, before and after sleep. Over time, you will be able to understand your triggers better and cut down on things that increase the symptoms. Small lifestyle changes, modifications to your everyday habits and a closer look at your diet can ease out the relationship between you and RLS. And always seek medical advice as and when required.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377168
https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/bar-of-soap-sleep-aid/
https://www.thedoctorstv.com/videos/soap-to-relieve-cramps
https://www.medicaldaily.com/can-bar-soap-cure-your-nighttime-leg-cramps-242354
https://www.healthline.com/health/restless-leg-syndrome/sleep-tips#1
