2 solutions against impatience

Impatience, also known as Restless Leg Syndrome, affects 8 to 10% of the population, to varying degrees. Often mistakenly attributed to venous dysfunction, this syndrome is in fact of neurological origin. It results in a compelling need to move the legs, as only moving relieves the feeling of discomfort. The need is increased tenfold in case of inactivity and at rest, and increases in the evening and at night. You should consult a neurologist and / or a sleep doctor who will tell you the most appropriate treatment for you.

1. Iron if there is a deficiency

What's this ? The treatment consists of administering iron in its medicinal form if your ferritin blood test is less than 75 μg / L.

Why does it work? Impatience or "restless leg syndrome" is frequently associated with so-called severe or partial martial deficiency, ie iron deficiency in the body. Once this is corrected, the symptoms disappear or diminish.

How's it going ? If this is established after a blood test, the doctor prescribes iron tablets. When it is poorly tolerated, it is substituted for a dietary supplement iron or spirulina, a seaweed highly concentrated in this trace element, usually better supported and assimilated by the digestive system. It is also advisable to eat a diet rich in iron. To you legumes, duck, red meat, oily fish such as tuna, mackerel, anchovies or sardines and some offal, such as liver and pudding. In addition, if the deficiency is severe, it is essential to check the absence of anemia, and to investigate the cause: gastritis, gastric ulcer, chronic inflammatory diseases or a diet of unsupervised eviction can be responsible for it.

2. Drugs for the severe form

What's this ? These molecules (dopamine agonists or certain antiepileptics) are identical to those used in Parkinson's disease but at a much reduced dose. It is used when impatience is very disabling.

Why does it work? Impatience can be attributed to a dysfunction in the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays many roles in the body, including the ability to transmit, manage our nerve impulses and thus coordinate our movements. However, dopamine agonists will simulate the action of this substance in the brain. This drug strategy is often more effective than non-specific treatments, namely analgesics based on morphine derivatives or anxiolytics and muscle relaxants. For a natural holistic approach, one can bet in magistral preparation or dietary supplement on L-tyrosine, amino acid which is itself the precursor of dopamine.

How's it going ? They are taken as tablets or as extended-release adhesive skin patches that must be renewed every twenty-four hours. This second form may be preferred to the first because it would cause fewer complications and side effects.

Thanks to Dr. Alexandre Aranda, sleep doctor and neurologist in Toulouse.

Read also:

⋙ Restless leg syndrome (or impatience in the legs): what does it hide?

⋙ Anemia: how to recognize symptoms?

⋙ Iron deficiency: what solutions in naturopathy to correct anemia?