![\"Opens](\"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-content\/themes\/acabado-6\/img\/extlink.png\" "\\"Opens")
<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis article is evidence-based, verified by Dr. Ahmed Zayed<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a condition affecting between 7% and 10% of Americans<\/a>. While it might be only a temporary condition triggered by pregnancy or the use of certain medications, it is essential to find an appropriate solution. A change in lifestyle might be necessary, but weighted blankets can also offer some relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we'll cover:<\/p>\n
Before understanding how a weighted blanket can help calm RLS symptoms, it is crucial to understand what this condition is, what is triggered by, and its underlying causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS, is a condition related to the nervous system<\/a> that affects millions of people worldwide each year. Formally known as Willis-Ekbom disease, this condition causes you the urge to keep moving your legs, and its symptoms are particularly evident at nighttime or before going to sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two types of RLS can be affecting you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RLS falls under two categories: nervous system disorder and sleep disorder. This is because once your limbs are affected, you might struggle to fall asleep and get the rest you need. In turn, this can become insomnia if the condition is not correctly treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People who are affected by RLS are also likely to experience Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep<\/a> (PLMS). This happens when the leg’s muscles contract and release every 30 seconds (on average) during sleep. Like RLS, this can be only a temporary condition that emerges due to a lifestyle change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main symptom of RLS includes unusual feelings in the legs, which can feel like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you experience these symptoms, always moving your leg can very briefly alleviate the condition, which is likely to come back in a matter of seconds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is worth noting that symptoms can vary significantly from patient to patient. Indeed, they are often stronger in the evenings, and they can be more or less severe during each attack. Since they tend to disappear in the morning, this is one of the only moments in which people affected can find rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This all makes it paramount to find a solution that alleviates your disorder at nighttime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RLS is a disorder that can affect anybody, and, as we have seen, up to 10% of Americans experience it at least once in their lifetimes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can affect anybody, but women are twice as likely to suffer from it, especially because it is often triggered by pregnancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While this condition is often misdiagnosed, research has shown that most of its possible causes are relatable to the nervous system. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nResearchers have used MRI scans to determine how dopamine in the brain<\/a> impacts certain regions. Both distant and nearby regions of the brain were analyzed in these studies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following these findings, evidence regarding a link between dopamine and RLS has been published. In one study<\/a>, it is noted that a dysfunctional dopaminergic system may lead to symptoms associated with restless leg syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we have seen, usually, RLS is a temporary condition bound to go away as soon as you implement necessary changes in the lifestyle or address the underlying condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you have been suffering from it for a while, your ability to get the sleep and rest you need may also be affected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, since symptoms are more severe at nighttime, you might struggle to fall asleep, which can turn into higher levels of stress and anxiety. In severe cases, RLS can also cause insomnia<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your RLS symptoms do not go away, and they are becoming worse, it is essential to speak to a doctor regarding the most suitable treatments you can undergo. Indeed, certain medications can help you restore your nervous system’s health and be a practical solution for your syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you believe that the condition is triggered by a temporary condition such as pregnancy, certain home remedies can help you better deal with RLS symptoms. One of the best ones out there is a weighted blanket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we are about to see, these blankets can be handy in alleviating the symptoms of several diseases connected to the nervous system, especially when the symptoms are more evident at nighttime. Let’s find out more about this easy and accessible solution for RLS!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weighted blankets are heavy blankets that can be purchased from a local shop or online. These blankets can vary in weight, and some of them can reach a weight of over 20 lb (9 kg). The right weighted blanket’s weight<\/a> will depend on your body weight. The heavier you are, the heavier your weighted blanket should be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
