Most often, pain and heaviness in the legs occurs due to simple fatigue. If symptoms appear from time to time, especially towards the end of the day, then there is no need to worry about any disease. After proper rest, the discomfort will go away.
If the discomfort does not go away within more than three days, then it is necessary to begin treatment with folk remedies. If you know that the pain is due to any disease, then you need to think about visiting a highly qualified doctor.
Pain and heaviness in the legs can occur as a result of various injuries: muscle strains, dislocations, muscle tears, fractures or sprains. Also, there are cases when pain develops gradually, as a result of regular wearing of uncomfortable shoes, excessive physical exertion, running on hard surfaces and performing exercises without warming up the muscles. Leg pain is quite often caused by obesity.
Why do you constantly experience heaviness in your legs, where does the discomfort come from?
The legs are the furthest part of the body from the heart, which means that blood delivery back and forth requires considerable effort. In addition, the physical stress on the limbs is great, because they have to “carry” many kilograms throughout the day.
Physical activity requires a good supply of blood to the muscles, and accordingly the pressure on the blood vessels, especially the veins, increases. Therefore, it is the veins that most often become the first victims of negative factors.
Pain and heaviness in the legs most often occurs due to lack of blood circulation. Muscle cells do not have enough oxygen and other nutrients, and they persistently begin to signal this with pain.
It is worth noting that even with healthy leg vessels, after intense physical activity, a feeling of heaviness and mild pain will be present in any case, and this is considered normal. However, if the problem recurs, becomes regular, or any factors that increase the pain are noticed, you should contact a specialist to search for and exclude pathology, if any.
Psychological problems
Emotions influence our lives much more than we realize. The fact is that the body’s reactions are regulated by the autonomic nervous system, another name for which is the autonomic one. This system operates according to its own laws, regardless of our will and desires. Therefore, the body's reactions - heartbeat, breathing, blood circulation, digestion, spasms - practically cannot be regulated by willpower. Our every daily experience, and even more so mental illness, affects the functioning of all organs and systems.
Weakness in the legs occurs with the following disorders:
- panic attack;
- hysteria;
- prolonged stress;
- anxiety disorder;
- depression;
- schizophrenia;
- nervous exhaustion or neurasthenia;
- chronic psychotrauma;
- neurocirculatory dystonia.
Causes of heaviness in the legs: diagnosis of diseases, symptoms and signs
Causes of leg pain are diseases of the bones, joints and muscles
- Muscle cramps
It is characterized by sudden, tight, intense pain in the lower leg. This soreness is often caused by muscle fatigue, heat, or dehydration. Muscle cramps are more common among older people and professional athletes. In most cases, muscle spasms disappear after eliminating the factors that cause them. If necessary, gentle stretching of the legs or massage of the surface of the muscles is recommended at the time of pain. Applying heat to the cramped muscle area or a cold compress may help relieve the severity of the pain and symptoms.
- Pain in the lower leg area
Pain in this area occurs when the connective tissue and muscles along the edge of the tibia become inflamed. This often occurs due to colds or severe sprains. Flat feet and toe deformity may also contribute to this problem. The pain usually disappears with the symptoms of the disease. Applying ice, taking anti-inflammatory drugs can help, and at such times it is better to avoid physical activity.
- Tendon or muscle rupture
One of the first signs of tendinitis, or inflammation of the tendon tissue, is pain in the bottom of the foot or heel bone area. In this case, applying ice and taking anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated. In addition, you need to avoid anything that causes pain. Supportive shoes that reduce stress on the tendons can also help. If the pain is very severe, the Achilles tendon may have ruptured, which will require urgent medical attention.
- Bone fracture, knee or ankle sprain
Fractures of the bones of the lower extremities and sprains of ligaments usually cause very severe pain that occurs immediately after the accident. However, the source of aching pain, especially at night, can be cracks in the bone, as well as mild sprains, which sometimes manifest themselves after some time.
Leg pain due to circulatory disorders
- Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is a disease associated with the formation of blood clots - blood clots that form in the bed of the deep veins of the lower extremities in combination with inflammatory processes in the walls of blood vessels. The process of blood clots is called deep vein thrombosis. Thrombophlebitis is more common in the deep veins of the lower leg or thigh. This disorder is often caused by long periods of inactivity, being overweight, smoking, or taking medications. These conditions cause increased blood clotting and, as a result, the formation of blood clots.
It is worth noting that thrombosis is a very dangerous disease. After all, the detachment of a blood clot is a common occurrence, and its delivery by blood flow to the pulmonary artery can lead to thromboembolism or blockage of the vein. Thromboembolism of large trunks of the pulmonary artery is fraught with sudden death.
- Phlebeurysm
Weak valves and walls of the external veins of the lower extremities lead to stagnation in the vessels, which provokes a disruption of the normal outflow of blood. Varicose veins are a common cause of leg pain that worsens after heavy physical activity. Externally, varicose veins are characterized by the presence of foci of blue or purple formations under the skin of the extremities, resembling hematomas. You should be very careful and careful when handling these swellings. After all, the wall of the vein in these places is thinned, and the lumen is filled with blood. Therefore, even a small puncture can cause severe bleeding. Varicose veins cause dull pain, especially when standing for a long time.
- Skin lesions
Allergic, infectious or parasitic skin diseases often lead to discomfort in the lower extremities. In addition to pain, often accompanying symptoms are itching, focal or diffuse redness, increased sensitivity, swelling and local fever.
- Peripheral artery diseases
Sclerotic changes in the arteries lead to a narrowing of their lumen or complete blockage, which greatly reduces blood pressure and, as a consequence, the volume of blood required for the muscles. Often such phenomena lead to severe pain in the legs, cramps, gait disturbances, and lameness. In especially severe cases, the patient is unable to climb stairs or any other, even minor, physical activity.
If the arteries become significantly narrowed or blocked, the pain may persist while at rest. A characteristic symptom of sclerotic vein diseases is deterioration in the healing of wounds on the surface of the skin of the legs.
With prolonged or incorrect treatment of a disease that causes sclerotic lesions in the veins, necrosis of muscle tissue, so-called necrosis, can occur.
The risk of developing arteriosclerosis increases in patients with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Heavy smokers are at particular risk. The disease requires careful proper treatment and regular examinations.
Leg pain due to nervous system disorders
- Stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal and lumbosacral radiculitis
A common cause of spinal stenosis is arthritis of the vertebrae. In some cases, a herniated disc puts pressure on nearby nerve roots, which can lead to symptoms of sciatica.
- Burning, cramping pain in the leg while standing or sitting.
- Numbness of the legs.
- Tingling.
- Fatigue.
- Weakness.
The pain may begin in the back and hip, then spread down the leg. Treatment may include rest for several days along with anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Cold and heat may help with some symptoms. Physical therapy in the form of specific stretching exercises is very helpful. You should not make sudden movements after sitting or lying for a long time.
- Diabetic neuropathy
In diabetes, nerves can be damaged by high blood sugar levels, which is a common complication of diabetes. Pain usually occurs in both legs along with numbness and a feeling of weakness in the lower extremities. Treatment includes pain medications and a prescribed medication regimen to control blood sugar levels.
Treatment
Since heaviness and swelling in the lower extremities are most often a consequence of varicose veins, treatment for the pathological condition should be comprehensive. Treatment necessarily includes correction of valvular insufficiency, external symptoms of the disease and, if possible, elimination of provoking factors.
The basis of basic therapy for venous insufficiency is venotonics. These remedies for heavy legs improve vascular tone, activate blood circulation and lymph flow.
The second group of medications for varicose veins are angioprotectors. They are recommended to be used to strengthen venous walls, reduce fragility and restore elasticity, and eliminate swelling.
The most effective means:
- Diosmin;
- Angionorm;
- Hesperidin;
- Quercetin;
- Escin.
In addition to medications and creams for heaviness in the legs, compression therapy will help remove the manifestations of varicose veins.
Wearing special medical products removes excess stress from the venous walls, improves blood circulation and lymph flow, and prevents thinning and stretching of blood vessels. It should be remembered that compression stockings and tights are selected together with a phlebologist and purchased in a specialized store.
Surgical therapy is used at stages 2–3 of varicose veins, when the veins protrude through the skin and become inflamed. The affected vessels are removed radically (phlebectomy) or using minimally invasive technologies (sclerotherapy, cold laser).
What is the danger of heaviness in the legs during pregnancy and how to get rid of painful sensations during this period?
Pregnancy is a physiological process that causes many changes in the body of the expectant mother. Frequent aching pain in the legs occurs due to weight gain and a shift in the center of gravity. In addition, the condition is aggravated by associated pathological processes that already exist or were previously present in the pregnant woman’s history.
After visiting a specialist and excluding complex pathological conditions requiring treatment, a number of measures can be recommended that may help reduce leg pain.
- It is necessary to constantly monitor your own weight , adhering to the correct menu. This is especially true for drinking liquids. A lot of water is required during pregnancy, but if it is in excess, swelling of the legs may occur, which will aggravate the pain in the legs.
- During movement, it is necessary to monitor the axis of posture and, if possible, distribute the weight evenly on both legs.
- Pregnant women are advised to avoid prolonged standing to avoid unnecessary stress on the lower limbs.
- During night sleep, you need to change body positions more often. You should not stay on your left side for a long time, since the weight of the abdomen puts pressure on the vena cava, which collects venous blood from the lower part of the body. Slowing blood flow in it makes it difficult for the exchange in the legs, which in the morning will cause a feeling of lack of rest.
Diagnostics
Weakness in the legs itself does not require diagnosis, but the patient must be examined to determine why this symptom occurred. To do this, the patient needs to undergo consultations and examinations with many specialists, including:
- endocrinologist;
- neurologist;
- therapist;
- neurosurgeon;
- allergist;
- infectious disease specialist;
- vascular surgeon;
- rheumatologist;
- obstetrician-gynecologist.
But besides this, the patient will have to:
- donate blood for laboratory tests;
- MRI;
- test with endrophonium;
- CT;
- electromyography;
- Ultrasound.
The sooner the diagnosis is confirmed, especially with VSD and osteochondrosis, the sooner treatment will begin.
Gymnastics and folk remedies to relieve heavy legs
There are several gymnastic exercises that help redistribute blood in the muscles of the legs, which reduces the feeling of fatigue and pain. It is recommended to conduct classes on an empty stomach no later than 3 hours before bedtime.
Gymnastics to relieve heavy legs
- Sitting pose, legs extended forward. The heels are pressed to the floor. Perform circular movements with the feet 10 times in each direction.
- Similar exercise. However, it is performed in turn with each leg.
- In the “sitting” position, emphasis is placed alternately on the heels and toes.
- Sitting position, knees at an angle of 90 degrees. It is necessary, while keeping your socks pressed to the floor, try to pull your heels as high as possible. Perform 10-20 times.
- In a standing position, arms at your sides, legs together. At the same time, you need to stretch both legs up and smoothly lower them down.
- Similar to the previous exercise, but the arms are raised up. At the moment of lowering to the heels - a full squat.
- Walk in place without lifting your toes off the floor, lifting only your heels. For convenience, you can press the palms of your hands against the wall.
Among folk remedies for relieving heaviness in the legs, several recipes are recommended (used externally).
- Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of olive oil.
- For a glass of vegetable oil - juice of one medium lemon.
- A compress of pounded bran brewed in milk, with the mixture pre-cooled.
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Daily overload
A load that exceeds the physiological load for a long time inevitably leads to weakness in the legs. This is primarily excess weight, when the joints and muscles of the lower extremities bear excessive load for a number of years. Obesity destroys bones, muscles and ligaments very slowly, and it seems to go unnoticed. But if you compare the physical capabilities of people with normal weight and obesity, the comparison will not be in favor of the latter.
The third trimester of pregnancy is a test for a woman’s musculoskeletal system, when she is forced to adapt to her growing body weight. Lymphostasis or elephantiasis is another reason for the increased load on the legs.
