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restless legs

Restless legs

Jan 29, 2024Updated on Jan 29, 2024
Preglife

ByPreglife

Vi har valt att samarbeta med experter som har en omfattande erfarenhet för att du ska få så relevant och faktabaserad information som möjligt under din graviditet, efter födseln och de första 2 åren med ditt barn.

Restless legs are characterised by tingling and crawling sensations in the legs and an almost irresistible urge to move them. Symptoms often occur when sitting or lying down and can come and go in periods, varying in intensity.

Two forms of restless legs

Restless legs are typically divided into two forms: Primary RLS and Secondary RLS. Primary RLS has no clear cause and often starts in adolescence, generally having genetic associations. Secondary RLS can be linked to an underlying cause such as pregnancy, iron deficiency, kidney failure, or medication.

What can I do myself? Here are some examples of what you can do to relieve restless legs symptoms:

  • Take a bath and massage your legs
  • Experiment with heat (e.g., a heating pad) or cold (e.g., an ice pack)
  • Stretch or tire out the calves with exercises like toe raises
  • Walk and move around
  • Take magnesium, iron, or vitamin B12 supplements; consult with your midwife.