Brudenell Road Pharmacy

04/08/2026

Restless Leg 6

Quiz & Answers

Q1 What is restless leg syndrome?
A1 It is when you have a strong urge to move your legs.

Q2 What causes restless leg syndrome?
A2 It’s thought to be linked to the levels of iron and dopamine in your body.

Q3 What treatments may help?
A3 Taking iron if you have low levels, being prescribed pregabalin like codeine or tramadol, medicines to help with sleep problems.

Q4 What things can you do to reduce the symptoms?
A4 Exercise, going to bed and waking at the same time every day, keep your bedroom dark and quiet, having a warm bath before bed, try walking, stretching or massaging when you have symptoms, distract yourself by reading or playing games.

Q5 What shouldn't you do?
A5 Don’t have caffeine after midday, do not drink alcohol at least 2 hours before bed, don’t eat a big meal or do strenuous exercise late at night, do not use electronics before going to bed, do not nap during the day, Smoke.

Q6 What are leg cramps?
A6 Leg cramps are common, usually harmless and only last a short time.

Q7 What are the symptoms?
A7 Ageing, putting too much strain on muscles during exercise, pregnancy, certain medicines like statins or diuretics, dehydration, liver disease.

Q8 What causes leg cramps?
A8 They happen when a muscle in the leg tightens and causes a sudden pain that makes it hard to move.

Q9 What can you do during a cramp?
A9 Stretching and massaging the muscle may ease the pain.

Q10 What can you do to prevent cramps?
A10 Doing regular calf stretching exercises may help but may not stop them completely.

31/07/2026

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21/07/2026

Restless Leg 4

Leg Cramps

Leg cramps are common, usually harmless and only last a short time. They can happen at any time, but most people have them at night or when resting. Leg cramps happen when a muscle in the leg tightens and causes a sudden pain that can make it hard to move. The cramps can last from a few seconds to 10 minutes. They usually affect the calf muscle but can affect the feet or the thighs (less often).
Leg cramps are sometimes caused by:

Ageing:

• Putting too much strain on muscles during exercise, which can be worse in hot or humid weather
• Pregnancy (Usually in the later stages)
• Certain medicines e.g. statins, diuretics.
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Liver disease

Doing regular calf stretch exercises may help to reduce cramps but not stop them completely:

1. Stand facing a wall and stretch out your arms until your hands just touch the wall.
2. Make sure you are standing straight and your feet are flat on the floor
3. Lean forward pressing your hands against the wall until you feel your calf muscles stretch. Hold for 2-3 seconds.
Stand up straight again
Repeat a few times for 5 minutes, 3 times a day (the last before bed)
During a cramp, stretching and massaging the muscle may ease the pain although most cramps go away without you doing anything.

17/07/2026

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14/07/2026

Restless Leg 3

Treatments for restless leg syndrome

There are things you can do to reduce the symptoms:

• Exercise during the day
• Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
• Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet, use an eye mask or ear plugs if necessary.
• Try having a warm bath or using heat pads on your legs before you go to bed
• Try walking, stretching or massaging your legs when you’re having symptoms
• Try doing things to distract from your symptoms such as reading or doing a game or puzzle
• Get help to stop smoking

There are also things that can make it worse so don’t:

• Have caffeine such as tea, coffee or energy drinks, after midday
• Don’t drink alcohol for at least 2 hours before going to bed
• Don’t eat a big meal or do strenuous exercise late at night
• Don’t use electronic devices right before going to bed
• Don’t nap during the day
• Don’t smoke

10/07/2026

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07/07/2026

Restless Leg 2

Treatments for restless leg syndrome

This depends on what’s causing it. If another condition is causing the problem treating that may help. For example, you may need iron supplements if you have low levels of iron in your blood.

Your doctor might check what other medicines you are taking, as some medicines can make symptoms of restless leg syndrome worse. You may also be prescribed medicines including pregabalin or gabapentin, pain killers such as codeine or tramadol, medicines to help with sleep problems or medicines to increase dopamine levels such as co-careldopa or ropinirole for occasional use if other medicines have not worked.

03/07/2026

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