Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder. This condition is characterised by an intense urge to move the legs. This is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease.

• SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • CAUSES OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • DIAGNOSIS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • TREATMENTS FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • PROGNOSIS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • COMPLICATIONS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME AND AYURVEDA
  • NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • AYURVEDIC LOCAL TREATMENT FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • HOME REMEDIES FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • YOGA FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
  • RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Urge to move the legs
• Especially while sitting or lying in bed
• Difficulty in falling asleep
• Tingling sensation in legs
• Fatigue
• Restlessness

CAUSES OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Certain medications like antidepressants
• Uremia
• Iron deficiency
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Renal disease
• Diabetes

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

The pathophysiology of primary restless leg syndrome is unknown. The secondary restless leg syndrome occurs due to the above mentioned pathological conditions. The uncomfortable limb sensations like itching, crawling, throbbing, burning, or creeping are manifested. These sensations usually occur at bedtime but can occur at other times of limb inactivity. The urge for leg movement is to avoid such uncomfortable sensations. Dopaminergic system dysfunction, defective iron metabolism are also contributed to restless leg syndrome.

DIAGNOSIS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Restless leg syndrome is diagnosed by proper history taking
• Blood tests are done to find out the metabolic or endocrine-related restless leg syndrome.
• Neurological examinations

TREATMENTS FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Treatment of underlying pathology
• Iron replacement therapy
• Dopaminergic agents
• Anticonvulsants

PROGNOSIS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Prognosis is based on the cause of the disease, duration and condition of the patient.
• Generally, symptoms are manageable but a complete cure is not possible

COMPLICATIONS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME       

• Depression
• Insomnia
• Chronic fatigue

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME AND AYURVEDA

• In Ayurveda,restless leg syndrome falls under Vata vyadhi or a Vata dosha imbalance disorder.
• Vata vyadhi can be correlated to neurological or neuromuscular disorders. The causes and pathogenesis of diseases caused by vitiation of Vata dosha, in general, are the exclusive cause and pathogenesis ofkampa (abnormal movements, tremor).

NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Excess consumption of ununctuous, cold food
• Excessive physical exercise.
• Suppression of natural urges.
• Agantu factors – Trauma, Injuries
• Kuposhana – nutrient deficiency like iron

PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

Uncomfortable sensations on the legs

SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Beejadushti and madhuraharavihara lead to delayed developments of sensory and motor property. Shareerikaand manasikanidana does further vataprakopa lead to karshya, mamsashosha, shakrutgraha, indriyabramsha, arthavakshaya.
• On the other side aggravation vata vitiated Snayu ,sira, kandara lead to shoola, aakshepaka, kampa.

LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Kampa – abnormal movements
• Sada – weakness
• Tingling sensation
• Numbness

AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Restless leg syndrome  associated with traumatic brain injuries is difficult to cure – krichra sadhya

CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

Ayurvedic local treatment for restless leg syndrome

• Shirothalam with Bramithaila+amlakichurna+jatamamsi churna
• sarvanga alepa chikitsa with teekshana lepa

AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Dasamoolarishtam
• Saraswatharishta
• Mahapaishachikaghruta
• Brimhana chikilsa
• Medhyam
• Nirgundyadi Kashayam
• Punarnavadi Kashayam
• Gulguluthiktakam Kashayam
• Yogaraja Guggulu
• Vrihat vat chintamani Ras
• Lakshmi vilas ras
• Gandha Tailam
• Maha Narayana Tailam
• Saraswatharishta
• Mahapaishachikaghruta

AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

Sadhyavirechana with gandarvahastyadithailam+ milk

COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

Internal administration

• Dhanwantharam Kashayam
• Maharasnadi Kashayam
• Dhanadanayanadi Kashayam
• Nirgundyadi Kashayam
• Punarnavadi Kashayam
• Gulguluthiktakam Kashayam
• Yogaraja Guggulu
• Vrihat vat chintamani Ras
• Lakshmi vilas ras
• Gandha Tailam
• Maha Narayana Tailam
• Saraswatharishta
• Mahapaishachikaghruta

External application

• Snehadhara – with balaswagandha tailam and ksheerabala tailam
• Shashtika Sali panda sweda

HOME REMEDIES FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Take proper rest to avoid injuries
• Warm water bathing

DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Avoid food items that produce vata dosha imbalance like cold and dry food, hard to digest. Because vata imbalance aggravates the symptoms.
• Consume easily digestible food items, cow’s milk
• Avoid heavy exercises which further aggravate the conditions.
• Oil massage on affected area advised. Which alleviates vata dosha
• Take proper rest.

YOGA FOR RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

• Nadi Shuddi Pranayam    – calms the mind and gets control over the urge to move the legs

The patient needs to be seated in a meditative posture with the head and spine erect, with the body relaxed. The patient has to close his one nostril (e.g. left nostril if using the right hand and vice versa) with the thumb and exhale completely through the other nostril. Again, he will have to breathe in deeply through the other nostril while the opposite nostril is still closed with the thumb.                             

·       Tadasana

·       virabhadrasana

• Anjali mudra

RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

1.     Role of panchakarma in restless leg syndrome – a case study

Restless Leg Ayurveda Herbal Treatment