Sanrai Med INDIA
Understanding the impact of Restless legs syndrome sleep-related breathing disorders

Most of us have had problems falling asleep at some point in our lives. However, for some, this problem is consistent and negatively impacts their daily routine. Sleep disorders such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and narcolepsy affect people of all ages and gender. If left untreated, these disorders can lead serious health conditions such as hypertension, type II diabetes and heart disease.

Many of these disorders can occur concurrently and can also be the causal factor for the other. For example, a study by NIH found that over 80% of those suffering from RLS or restless leg syndrome had at least one sleep disorder such as sleep apnea or insomnia. As RLS symptoms appear right after going to bed, most of the sufferers will end up kicking or massaging their legs to relieve the symptoms. In extreme cases, they might even have to get up and walk and stretch around to feel better. 

What causes RLS?

Although there is no specific causal factor for RLS, the disease can occur due to late-stage kidney disease, neuropathy, MS, Parkinson’s disease, or iron deficiency. Additionally, pregnant women often suffer from RLS during the third trimester, but these symptoms decline post delivery. 

Stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and drugs used to treat nausea, cold and allergies are also known triggers for RLS.

Is RLS a precursor to other sleep disorders?

RLS often leads to sleep disturbances, fatigue and daytime sleepiness—putting patients at risk for anxiety, depression and heart disease. As many patients consistently get out of bed to stretch or walk, this leads to insomnia and can compound sleep issues in patients.

RLS often occurs with other sleep-disordered breathing disorders such as sleep apnea. The first diagnosis of RLS happens during sleep studies, where technicians may notice these twitches and score patients for RLS accordingly. Studies have demonstrated that nearly 45% of OSA patients also suffer from RLS. 

Ways to reduce RLS symptoms

There are many ways to manage mild or moderate RLS. These methods can be used in conjunction with medication to provide relief. 

                1. Maintain sleep hygiene

                A good night’s sleep fixes a lot of problems. Ensuring that you maintain a good sleep environment and follow a fixed sleep routine that promotes sleep is essential to reduce your symptoms. 

                  2. Avoid stimulants before bedtime

                  Avoiding stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine help reduce RLS symptoms and promote better sleep.

                    3. Increase physical activity

                    Studies have shown that you can reduce your RLS symptoms by nearly 40% if you engage in an exercise regimen. Moderate exercise helps you tire yourself out, reduces anxiety and will get you ready for a good night’s rest.

                      4. Pneumatic pressure therapy

                      Pneumatic pressure therapy works by squeezing legs to improve blood flow. Studies have shown that this therapy relieves RLS symptoms and reduces fatigue in just a month of daily use.

                        5. Hot baths and massages

                        Hot baths and massages stimulate the legs and appear to relieve RLS symptoms for many individuals.

                        Final thoughts

                        Both sleep apnea and RLS disrupt your sleep and if left untreated, can cause heart diseases, type II diabetes, depression and anxiety. Additionally, untreated sleep apnea can cause daytime fatigue which leads to accidents at work and while driving with potentially disastrous outcomes in some cases. Combating disrupted sleep is essential to ensure that you lead a healthier, happier life. If you believe that you suffer from a sleep disorder or RLS, contact your healthcare provider and get assessed right away! Take care.





                        Share this post :
                        Comments

                        Leave a reply

                        Related Post

                        07

                        Jul
                        COPD: Early Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

                        Do you ever experience shortness of breath or chronic cough while doing your day-to-day activities? These might be signs of a respirato...

                        Read More

                        08

                        Aug
                        Why Is Rural India Lagging In Healthcare?

                        Home to more than 64% of the country’s 1.3 billion population, rural India doesn’t even have 30% of the nation's health infrastruct...

                        Read More

                        08

                        Aug
                        Five Easy Health Hacks for Respiratory Care

                        A healthy respiratory system is the base of a physically fit lifestyle. Your lungs perform the most basic function of breathing, and br...

                        Read More

                        08

                        Aug
                        Breathing Techniques For Healthy and Whole Lungs

                        Breathing techniques are exercises to improve your lung health for better respiration. We all are familiar with the phrase “take a ...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Quit Smoking and Breathe in Clean Air

                        India's tobacco use is increasing at an alarming rate. There are 120 million smokers in India with nearly 10 million people dying fro...

                        Read More

                        10

                        Oct
                        Sanrai Wins a Grant for an "Oxygen as a Service" Project - Sanrai International

                        We are very excited to announce that Sanrai has been selected as a grant winner of the Oxygen Co-Lab “Oxygen as a Service” (O2aaS) ...

                        Read More

                        10

                        Oct
                        Everything You Must Know About BIPAP Devices

                        People with certain medical conditions have difficulty breathing. Luckily, machines like a BiPAP help you breathe better. A Bilevel...

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        Effect of Diwali fumes on COVID-19, COPD, and other respiratory patients

                        Diwali celebration and burning crackers go hand in hand across India, despite the rise of air pollution and health hazards. The eff...

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        What is Pneumonia and its Innovative Treatment Solutions?

                        Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of five. In 2018, over 14 children under the age of 5 died...

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        How to Sleep Better With COPD: 7 Effective Tips

                        It’s a universal truth that sleep is essential for all human beings. One night of bad sleep can completely ruin your day, your produc...

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        Ways to Stay Healthy During the Cold and Flu Season if You Have COPD

                        Colds and flu are common during the winter months. At some point, we are all affected by getting a cold that turns into an annoyance fo...

                        Read More

                        12

                        Dec
                        An Overview On Sleep Apnea - Causes & Symptoms

                        Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder where a person stops breathing involuntarily. Such repeated pauses occur during the n...

                        Read More

                        12

                        Dec
                        Signs Your Snoring Can Be Dangerous

                        Snoring is often regarded as an uncomfortable, annoying problem capable of disrupting one’s sleep. It’s considered normal and somet...

                        Read More

                        01

                        Jan
                        What a Breast Pump Is and How to Use One

                        Breast milk is a typical standard for providing nutrition to infants. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises exclusive breastfeedi...

                        Read More

                        01

                        Jan
                        Breastfeeding or Pumping: What to Choose?

                        You can supply your baby with breast milk through breastfeeding and pumping. Breast milk is natural nourishment for newborns. Breastfee...

                        Read More

                        01

                        Jan
                        How to Overcome Seasonal Allergies for COPD Patients?

                        Seasonal allergies affect the majority of people. Individuals with COPD are more likely to be adversely impacted by any subsequent cond...

                        Read More

                        02

                        Feb
                        The Increasing risk of obstructive sleep apnea in India

                        Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes breathing difficulties when you are asleep. It is one of the most common sleep-related breathing ...

                        Read More

                        03

                        Mar
                        6 Tips To Keep Your Respiratory Health Safe This Holi

                        The season of spring has finally arrived, and Holi, the festival of colors, is ready to greet us with color, happiness, sweets, and the...

                        Read More

                        04

                        Apr
                        Tips to Improve Your Lung Health

                        The very first thing we do when we are born is breathe! However, do you ever wonder how your lungs function or how you breathe?...

                        Read More

                        04

                        Apr
                        How Does A Peak Flow Meter Help Manage Asthma?

                        Managing asthma is not easy. Once your doctor diagnoses you with asthma, it's time to find ways you can manage the disease. Effective a...

                        Read More

                        04

                        Apr
                        How to Manage Asthma Flare-up Symptoms?

                        Asthma is a very prevalent respiratory disease, affecting 235 million people worldwide, out of which 15-20 million people are from Indi...

                        Read More

                        05

                        May
                        8 Best Tips for Managing COPD

                        A person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) finds it difficult to breathe. COPD can cause blockages in the airways and b...

                        Read More

                        08

                        Aug
                        Smart Peak Flow Meter- Helping you live a happier life with Asthma

                        As an asthma patient for over 15 years, I often look back at my life and wonder how it would be if I did not have asthma or allergies. ...

                        Read More

                        08

                        Aug
                        Understanding Bronchitis better - a first step toward managing this disease

                        Chronic Bronchitis and COPD are the leading causes of death in India and the world that can only be addressed through timely screening ...

                        Read More

                        08

                        Aug
                        Using diagnostic AI in pediatric clinics - taking the first step towards health equity

                        Croup remains one of the top 5 causes of hospitalisations in children. Using AI-driven diagnostic solutions such as ResApp can dramatic...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Nutrition and sleep - the connection no one talks about

                        Believe it or not, sleep is the most important routine of your day. Sleep helps you stay energetic, improves your memory, makes you mor...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Understanding common sleep disorders to get a good night's rest and a productive day!

                        I'm a light sleeper and often wake up tired every morning, just like a staggering 83% of other sleep-deprived adults worldwide! This is...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Depression – one of the hidden problems caused by sleep apnea

                        Problems associated with lack of sleep affect everyone regardless of age. We all know that lack of sleep causes irritability, anxiety, ...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Medical devices, innovation and technology – the key to our longevity

                        Humanity has been on a perpetual quest for longevity since time immemorial. This quest led to applying available cutting-edge technolog...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Counter Sleep-disordered breathing with CPAP therapy! Consult your doctor today!

                        I did not know I was a bad snorer for the first ten years of my adult life. I lived alone, had a demanding job, and never found time fo...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Living with Narcolepsy – Know the signs to manage it right

                        Did you know that 21% of all fatal automotive accidents are due to drowsy driving or falling asleep at the wheel? A survey by Harvard M...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Making happy memories around the world with a ResMed AirMini

                        I have loved travelling ever since I was a child. I felt perfectly at home wherever I was. I could fall asleep on any bed, any surface,...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Understanding the impact of Restless legs syndrome sleep-related breathing disorders

                        Most of us have had problems falling asleep at some point in our lives. However, for some, this problem is consistent and negatively im...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        The impact of sleep disorders – different for both him and her

                        Most common diseases and disorders are gender agnostic—which means that they affect both sexes equally—except for a few gender-spec...

                        Read More

                        09

                        Sep
                        Is there a link between a good night's rest and heart disease?

                        It is 2022 and we all know the importance of taking care of our heart by eating right and exercising regularly to lead healthier lives....

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        Diagnosing breast cancer – challenges faced by women with disabilities

                        A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer somewhere in the world every 14 seconds. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-re...

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        Mobility, independence, and happiness—the link between mobility and mental health

                        The loss of mobility is a challenge for the person affected by it and those who care for them. Whether you’re unable to drive, walk o...

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        Five things you must know about mobility, arthritis, and independence

                        Arthritis is possibly the most common cause of impaired mobility around the world. Affecting nearly 350 million people worldwide, 1 in ...

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        Wheelchairs and DVT – how to avoid blood clots

                        A staggering 1.85% of the global population uses a wheelchair every day. This means that over 130 million people require a wheelchair a...

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        Every breath counts—treating pneumonia effectively to build a healthier world

                        Did you know that a child dies of pneumonia in the time it took you to open and start reading this post? Yes, you read that right. Acco...

                        Read More

                        11

                        Nov
                        Upward Mobility - The stigma and anguish surrounding obesity

                        A WHO report suggests that, globally, more than 1 Bn people struggle with obesity every day. To put this into perspective, every eighth...

                        Read More

                        22

                        Not a valid month!
                        Best Rehab Equipment for Stroke Patients

                        A stroke can cause short-term effects such as weakness, issues with coordination and balance to lifelong disabilities depending on the ...

                        Read More

                        12

                        Dec
                        Using Innovative Engineering To Make Movement Accessible For Everyone

                        A UN report estimates that around 1 Bn people worldwide live with some form of disability, out of which approximately 100 Mn are childr...

                        Read More

                        12

                        Dec
                        Lanolin - Bringing The Joy Back To Motherhood And Nursing

                        The importance of breast milk can never be overstated. Sterile, safe, and rich in protective antibodies, breast milk is the perfect nou...

                        Read More

                        12

                        Dec
                        Winters, respiratory illnesses, and air pollution – the trio of woes

                        Winters are a time for piping hot soups, sweetmeats, festivals and indulging in foods and drinks that we would otherwise stay away from...

                        Read More

                        12

                        Dec
                        Winters, breastfeeding, and supermoms

                        Winters are a challenging time for newborns and mothers alike. As the cold weather sets in, it brings many problems for both mothers an...

                        Read More

                        12

                        Dec
                        Winter woes - An asthma patient's story

                        I was 5 when I woke up crying because I could not breathe. My chest felt heavy, and it was difficult to think or even tell people how I...

                        Read More

                        12

                        Dec
                        Healthcare, Sanrai, and 2022-What a year it's been!

                        In comes the winter, and with it, it brings the promise of spring and better times. As the year draws to a close at Sanrai Med India, w...

                        Read More

                        01

                        Jan
                        The golden years – building a safer home for the elderly

                        You enter the world as an excited child, willing to learn everything that comes your way, from sights to sounds to numbers, religion, c...

                        Read More

                        02

                        Feb
                        Up and About with Ease—easing mobility for seniors with Drive DeVilbiss

                        Post-retirement years are often considered the best time of our lives—referred to as the golden years. With more free time on their h...

                        Read More

                        02

                        Feb
                        Oxygen therapy: Good health with every breath

                        We need oxygen to survive. Our body gets oxygen through the bloodstream, which continuously gets oxygenated by the oxygen drawn from th...

                        Read More

                        02

                        Feb
                        KYoC—Know Your Oxygen Concentrator

                        Oxygen is essential for our survival. All our bodily functions depend on the supply of oxygenated blood that our heart pumps throughout...

                        Read More

                        03

                        Mar
                        Maintaining and Cleaning Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator

                        Portable oxygen concentrators are important medical devices that help people with respiratory problems breathe more easily. Whether you...

                        Read More

                        03

                        Mar
                        How to Choose the Right Portable Oxygen Concentrator for You

                        For people with respiratory conditions, portable oxygen concentrators and cylinders can be a lifesaver, providing them with the mobilit...

                        Read More

                        03

                        Mar
                        Dealing with Chronic Pain: Tips and Strategies for Coping

                        Chronic pain is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by a variety of underlying medical conditions o...

                        Read More

                        03

                        Mar
                        The Importance of Sleep for Physical and Mental Health

                        Sleep is a critical component of overall health, yet many people often neglect its importance. The effects of poor sleep are not limite...

                        Read More

                        04

                        Apr
                        The Benefits of Oxygen Therapy: Treating Respiratory Conditions with Supplemental Oxygen

                        As breathing is a basic necessity of life, it is essential to ensure that we are getting enough oxygen to support all bodily functions....

                        Read More

                        04

                        Apr
                        The Importance of Fresh Air: How Proper Ventilation Supports Our Oxygen Needs

                        Breathing is an essential function that we often take for granted. The air we breathe plays a vital role in our overall health and well...

                        Read More

                        04

                        Apr
                        A Guide to Choosing the Right Maternal Health Products for Your Healthcare Facility

                        Maternal health is a crucial aspect of healthcare, and choosing the right maternal health products for your healthcare facility is esse...

                        Read More

                        04

                        Apr
                        The Future of Maternal Health: Advancements in Technology and Care

                        Maternal health has been a major concern across the world. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 295,000 women died...

                        Read More

                        04

                        Apr
                        Preventing Respiratory Illness: Strategies for Maintaining Healthy Lungs.

                        Maintaining healthy lungs is essential for preventing respiratory illnesses. The lungs are one of the most important organs in our body...

                        Read More

                        04

                        Apr
                        Understanding Pain Management: Strategies for Managing Chronic Pain

                        Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. It can affect both physical and ment...

                        Read More

                        05

                        May
                        The Importance of Home Safety for the Elderly

                        As we age, our physical and cognitive abilities may decline, making everyday activities and tasks more challenging. This can put senior...

                        Read More

                        05

                        May
                        Choosing the Right Mobility Aid for You: A Guide for Seniors

                        As we age, mobility issues can arise due to various reasons, such as illness, injury, or age-related conditions. However, with the avai...

                        Read More

                        05

                        May
                        Unknown advantage of breastfeeding: How Breastfeeding can help your infant reduce the risks of SIDS and you from breast and ovarian cancer?

                        Breastfeeding is a natural way to feed infants, providing numerous benefits of breast milk for both the baby and the mother. Breast mil...

                        Read More

                        05

                        May
                        The Role of Genetics in Lung Cancer: Understanding Inherited Risks and Screening Options

                        Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While smoking is a well-k...

                        Read More

                        05

                        May
                        The Benefits of Home Oxygen Therapy for COPD Patients

                        Let’s delve into the extensive benefits of home oxygen therapy for individuals living with COPD. In this comprehensive article, we wi...

                        Read More

                        05

                        May
                        How Smoking Impacts Your Respiratory System

                        Smoking has long been recognized as a leading cause of preventable diseases worldwide. The detrimental effects of smoking extend far be...

                        Read More