Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 Tips and Treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome Medications 1. On Sept. 5, 1997, what 1979 Nobel Prize recipient who became a saint died? 2. The term “Silicon Valley” was coined by a journalist in what year: 1971, 1984 or 1991? 3. In August 2025 the Iowa State Cyclones beat the Kansas State Wildcats in the Aer Lingus Classic (“Farmageddon”) in what country? 4. In March 1998 what lake briefly was the sixth Great Lake? 5. On Sept. 6, 1916, was the opening of the fi rst Piggly Wiggly, which was what? 6. How are Devil’s Island, Tower of London and H?a L? (Hanoi Hilton) similar? 7. What is the offi cial state drink of Massachusetts? 8. September 7 is National Grandma Moses Day, in honor of “Grandma Moses,” who started painting in her 70s; she was on the cover of what magazine in 1953? 9. In 1868, at age 21, what inventor-to-be worked in Boston as a telegraph operator? 10. In what book would you fi nd a chapter titled “The Winged Monkeys”? 11. On Sept. 8, 1966, what TV series about adventures in space premiered? 12. What sport was in the Summer Olympics in 1900 and 1904 and then started back up in 2016? 13. Nigerian radio host “Mighty George” created a Guinness World Record for “longest marathon hosting a radio talk show” for how many hours: 53, 86 or 105? 14. September 9 is National Steak au Poivre Day; what does “au poivre” mean? 15. Harper’s Bazaar is the fi rst (since 1867) of what type of U.S. magazine? 16. What father of Louisa May Alcott wrote, “Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps; Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps”? 17. On Sept. 10, 2000, what once longest-running Broadway show, a musical, closed? 18. What two words does “podcast” come from? 19. “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!” is said at U.S. Supreme Court sessions; what does it mean? 20. On Sept. 11, 1941, construction began on the Pentagon, which is located in what jurisdiction? Answers Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about restless leg syndrome? Over the past year or so I’ve developed an uncontrollable urge to move my legs because of an annoying tingling sensation, and it’s keeping me awake at night. Always Tired Dear Tired, If an irresistible urge to move your legs has you kicking in your sleep, then chances are pretty good you have restless leg syndrome (or RLS), a condition that aff ects about 7 to 8 percent of Americans. Here’s what you should know. RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a nervous system problem that causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations (often described as a creepy-crawly, tingling, itching, aching throbbing, pulling or electric feeling) and an irresistible urge to move one or both legs while you’re sitting or lying down, and the symptoms usually get worse with age. It typically happens in the evenings or nights while resting. Moving eases the unpleasant feeling temporarily. While RLS is not a life-threatening condition, the main problem, other than it being uncomfortable and annoying, is that it disrupts sleep, leading to daytime drowsiness, diffi culty concentrating and even depression. What exactly causes RLS is not known, but researchers suspect it could be linked to several things including iron defi ciency, an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine, and genetics — about 60 percent of people with RLS have a family member with the condition. Treatments While there’s no cure for RLS, there are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms. The fi rst line of defense is usually to avoid certain substances like alcohol, caff eine, nicotine and refi ned sugar, which can aggravate the problem. Certain drugs including antinausea drugs, antipsychotic drugs, some antidepressants, and cold and allergy medications containing sedating antihistamines can also make RLS worse. If you take any of these medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if something else can be taken. Iron and magnesium deficiencies are also believed to be contributors to RLS, so make an appointment with your doctor and get a blood test to check for this. If you test positive for iron and/or magnesium defi - ciency, your doctor may recommend supplements. You may also benefit from self-care treatments such as leg/calf stretches and massage, hot baths or applying hot or cold packs to the aff ected area. Pressure can also be eff ective for some people, so you may want to try wearing compression socks. Getting moderate, regular exercise like walking, cycling, water aerobics and yoga can relieve symptoms too, but overdoing it or exercising late in the day may intensify them. If the previously listed tips and self-treatments don’t reduce your RLS, there are various medications your doctor can prescribe that can help, including: Anti-seizure drugs: These medications aff ect nerve cell activity to reduce symptoms. Examples include gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant), gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica). Dopaminergic medications: These drugs, which are taken before bedtime, work by increasing dopamine, a chemical in the brain which helps reduce RLS. Examples are ropinirole (Requip), pramipexole (Mirapex), and the transdermal patch rotigotine (Neupro). But be aware that while these drugs, taken short-term are eff ective, long-term use can make symptoms worse. The anti-seizure medicines have become a first-choice drug treatment option for most doctors because they seem to be as eff ective as the dopaminergic medications, with fewer side eff ects. Sometimes, other medications like benzodiazepines — alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium) — may be prescribed for more restful sleep, but they don’t eliminate the leg sensations, and they can be addictive so it’s best to avoid them if possible. For more information, visit the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation at RLS.org. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 1. Mother Teresa 2. 1971 3. Ireland (Dublin) 4. Lake Champlain (signed off on by the president but rescinded within the month) 5. First self-service grocery store (previously, customers gave a list to a grocer, as in a pharmacy) 6. They were prisons. 7. Cranberry juice 8. Time 9. Thomas Edison 10. “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum 11. “Star Trek: The Original Series” 12. Golf 13. 105 (resting five minutes per hour; real name George Iniabasi Essien) 14. With pepper (in French) — coarsely ground 15. Fashion 16. Amos Bronson Alcott 17. “Cats” by Andrew Lloyd Webber 18. Broadcast and iPod 19. Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! Court is in session. 20. Arlington County, Virginia
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