Non-Drug Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome Lifestyle modification is an important aspect of RLS/PLM management. Maintaining sleep hygiene using a scheduled bedtime and wake time, sufficient sleep hours, avoidance of daytime naps, proper nutrition, and avoiding heavy meals prior to bedtime. Alcohol intake and caffeine may both aggravate RLS and PLMS and should be avoided. Various antidepressant medications have been reported to induce or worsen RLS and/or PLMS, such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, mirtazapine, and mianserin. Neuroleptics such as olanzapine and risperidone can also induce RLS. Other medications, such as beta-blockers, phenytoin, zonisamide, methsuximide, and lithium, have also been reported to worsen RLS symptoms. Stress, shift work, and strenuous physical activity close to bedtime may also exacerbate RLS and/or PLMS. The effect of tobacco smoking on symptoms of RLS and PLMS is conflicting, but smoking cessation is clearly warranted for overall health. Return to Diseases

Non-Drug Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome

Lifestyle modification is an important aspect of RLS/PLM management. Maintaining sleep hygiene using a scheduled bedtime and wake time, sufficient sleep hours, avoidance of daytime naps, proper nutrition, and avoiding heavy meals prior to bedtime. Alcohol intake and caffeine may both aggravate RLS and PLMS and should be avoided. Various antidepressant medications have been reported to induce or worsen RLS and/or PLMS, such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, mirtazapine, and mianserin. Neuroleptics such as olanzapine and risperidone can also induce RLS. Other medications, such as beta-blockers, phenytoin, zonisamide, methsuximide, and lithium, have also been reported to worsen RLS symptoms. Stress, shift work, and strenuous physical activity close to bedtime may also exacerbate RLS and/or PLMS. The effect of tobacco smoking on symptoms of RLS and PLMS is conflicting, but smoking cessation is clearly warranted for overall health.

Return to Diseases