Surveys in the United States and Canada have found that fifteen to twenty-five percent of adults experience unpleasant feelings in their legs particularly at night, at least some of the time. The problem appears to be more widespread in women than in men, and especially common in the elderly.

If you have sensations in your leg resembling the feelings described below, then you might have restless legs syndrome according to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.

- Feeling like an electrical current flowing through the legs

- A creepy crawly feeling

- A feeling of aching or itching bones

- The feeling like soda pop bubbling in your bones

This problem is also known as Ekbom syndrome, and is usually a chronic annoyance rather than a symptom of a larger disorder.

For the most part, both legs are affected; however, the thighs and even the arms can come into play. Although the arms can be affected, it is usually in one and not both arms.

No one knows the origin of the sensations. According to researchers, an imbalance within the brains chemistry could be the root cause of the problem. Genetics and the way iron is metabolized in the body could also play a role.

However, no matter what causes it, restless legs syndrome could be a very unpleasant feeling for those who have it, and it can definitely be a problem when trying to sleep.

Home Remedies For Restless Legs Syndrome

- As mentioned above, an iron deficiency could be a cause of restless legs syndrome. In addition, studies have shown that a lack of folate could also be a cause. Both nutrients could be supplemented by taking a daily multivitamin.

- Try not to eat too late at night. Studies show that eating too much late at night could make the legs jumpy. No one knows why, but it could be the motion of digesting such a large meal that triggers the symptoms.

- Avoid medications that force you into a stupor. Sleeping medications may provide you with short-term relief, but you could get addicted to them, causing dependence on the drug and restless legs syndrome.

- Avoid alcohol. Some people use alcohol as a sedative, which could also leave you with dependence and restless legs syndrome.

- Cut your caffeine intake, or stop using it altogether. Some patients have reported an end to their restless legs syndrome when they stopped consuming caffeine.

- Stop using cold and sinus medications. According to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, cold and sinus medicines can increase the symptoms.

- If you smoke, now would be a good time to stop. According to studies, people who stopped smoking relieved their symptoms in less than a month. This does not prove that smoking causes restless legs syndrome, but it is worth the mention that some people were able to remedy the situation when they kicked the habit.

- Try to stay warm in those cold winter months. Studies have shown that extended exposure to the cold could be a cause of restless legs syndrome.

- Before turning in for the night, try massaging your legs. Rubbing your legs may be advantageous.

- Depending on how your stomach reacts to aspirin, taking two just before bedtime seems to help. No one knows why, but it reduces the symptoms in some people.

- Try to lower stress levels. Stress makes the problem worse. There are a number of good ways to reduce stress such as getting more organized, taking quiet time for you, taking deep breaths, and learning to use various relaxation techniques.

- If you can, try to take a short walk just before going to bed. Some patients say this reduces nighttime struggles with restless legs syndrome. Walking releases endorphins that promote sleep that is more restful.

- Get as much rest as you can. Fatigue could make the symptoms worse.

- Walk around during bouts of restless legs syndrome. If you start to feel an episode coming on, get up and walk around the bedroom for a couple of seconds.

- When symptoms arise, wiggle your feet back and forth. This works for some people; therefore, it is worth a try.

- Start changing your sleeping positions on a regular basis. Symptoms tend to get worse in people who sleep in one position all of the time; however, these same people reported reduced symptoms when they switched sleeping positions.

- When you develop symptoms try soaking your foot in cool water. This tactic works for some, but just like the others, it might work for you. Do not overdue it and go extreme by dunking your whole leg into a bucket of ice cold water; you could cause serious damage.

While cold helps some people, others find solace using a heating pad, which could be more soothing to them.