IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and cramping, along with diarrhea, constipation, or intermittent bouts of both. “Other symptoms of IBS include a bloated feeling and gas,” said Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, medical advisory board member of the non-profit Nutritional Magnesium Association and author of IBS for Dummies. Restless legs syndrome is a neurological sleep disorder that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, primarily at night, as well as throbbing, creeping, or other unpleasant sensations in the legs. “There is a strong relationship between restless legs syndrome and IBS,” said Michael Wald, ND, MS, CDN, director of nutritional services at Integrated Medicine of Mount Kisco in Mount Kisco, N.Y. “In fact, when an individual has RLS along with IBS, it predicts more severe intestinal pain.” A study published in the October 2012 edition of the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility confirmed the link between IBS and restless legs syndrome. Researchers looked at 225 people with IBS and 262 healthy people and found restless legs syndrome occurred significantly more frequently in those with IBS. A 2011 study published in the journal Sleep Medicine found that both IBS and a condition affecting digestion called small intestinal overgrowth were more prevalent in people with restless leg syndrome.
Why These Two Disorders Co-Exist
One reason is, put simply, tension. “If you have tension in your legs affecting the nerves and muscles causing restless legs syndrome symptoms, you can have similar tension in your gut affecting the muscles and nerves there, leading to IBS,” Dr. Dean said. Inflammation in the body may also be to blame. “A person may be affected by both conditions because the inflammatory process is a wide-body process — inflammatory chemicals literally circulate within the legs and the intestinal tract,” Dr. Wald said. Fortunately there are steps you can take to put both your digestion and your legs at ease. Squelch stress. Stress is a risk factor for restless legs syndrome. It’s also thought to be one of the biggest contributors to IBS. So, reducing stress can help combat both conditions, Wald said. You might try relaxation techniques, such as meditation; counseling; attending support groups; physical activity such as walking or yoga; and getting enough sleep. Improve your nutritional profile. The irritation and inflammation in the gut caused by IBS can translate to poor absorption of nutrients,” Dean said. Supplements that may help treat both IBS and restless legs syndrome include melatonin, 5-HTP (5-hydroxy tryptophane), and magnesium. Discuss these options with your health care professional. Consider prescription medications. “Medications called anticholingerics can help balance autonomic nervous system dysfunction,” Wald said. These drugs, which include hyoscyamine (Levsin) and belladonna alkaloids/phenobarbital (Donnatal), work by lessening muscle spasms. Eliminate irritants. With both IBS and the sleep disorder restless legs syndrome, certain food and drink may aggravate symptoms. “For restless legs syndrome, eliminating caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and colas is essential,” Wald said. Cutting out these beverages may also help symptoms of IBS, he added. Also restrict foods that produce excess gas, such as beans and cruciferous vegetables. If you suffer from both IBS and restless legs syndrome, the first thing you should do is talk to your doctor about treatment options. Remember, both conditions are treatable, so there’s no reason not to put both your digestive system and your legs to rest.
