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Sleep Disorders: 10 Tips to Ease Restless Legs Syndrome

In many cases, personal habits can make a sleeping disorder like restless legs syndrome worse. Sometimes they are the main cause of the problem.

Here are 10 steps you can take to lessen the symptoms of RLS and get you sleeping better.

 

  • Avoid or limit alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine all together or at least for several hours before bedtime.
  • Take medications (prescription and nonprescription) only as directed by your doctor.
  • Exercise every day.
  • Stretch your legs at the beginning and end of each day.
  • Massage your legs regularly.
  • Avoid eating a heavy meal close to bedtime.
  • Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
  • Avoid daytime naps.
  • Use your bed only for sleeping or sex.
  • Try not to use bedtime as worry time.

Reviewed by The Sleep Medicine Center at The Cleveland Clinic.

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic

Edited by Leonard J. Sonne, MD on January 01, 2007
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TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.

Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.

More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.

Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.

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WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

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