Heaviness in the legs - the causes and methods of treatment

Many people are familiar with such an uncomfortable feeling, like heaviness in the legs. This phenomenon usually occurs due to the stagnation of the vessels of the legs. There can be a huge amount of explanations for this condition. It happens that it is a consequence of fatigue, and sometimes it speaks of quite serious hidden diseases.

Why does heaviness in the legs?

First of all, it is necessary to consider factors that do not pose a serious danger. Among the reasons not related to pathologies, the following can be noted:

1. Hormonal disorders. Women often suffer from this symptom in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. This is due to the fact that at this time the body retains fluid. In addition, this condition can occur in women during menopause.
2. Climatic conditions. In a strong heat, not only motor activity decreases, but the amount of fluid circulating in the body also changes. As a result, the vessels lose their tone and expand, this can cause stagnation.
3. Pregnancy. During this period, the body is subject to increased accumulation of fluid. Due to the fact that the expectant mother leads a less active lifestyle than before, the muscles gradually atrophy. If at work you have to mainly sit, then the vessels are even more clamped.
4. Overweight. In such a situation, the vessels lose the ability to properly contract due to the fact that there is a significant subcutaneous fat layer. In addition, the more kilograms, the greater the load on the vessels and muscles.

Also, heaviness in the legs may be a clinical manifestation of certain diseases, including:

1. Heart diseases. Any disruption in the functioning of this organ (heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocardiodystrophy, etc.) can cause a feeling of heaviness in the legs. In addition, these pathologies are accompanied by symptoms such as the formation of edema, the appearance of shortness of breath, chest pain, lethargy, failure of heart rhythm, changes in the skin.
2. Joint diseases - rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis, gout.
3. Kidney disease. Complaints of heaviness in the legs, doctors often hear from patients who suffer from renal failure and other pathologies of this organ in an acute or chronic form. In addition to such a manifestation, they, as a rule, have an increase in pressure, increased thirst, swelling, and deterioration of appetite.
4. Flatfoot. With a mild degree of this condition, except that the legs feel heavy, they quickly get tired and hurt, if you press them. With the development of flatfoot, the pain becomes permanent and becomes intense, there is swelling and a change in gait.
5. Osteochondrosis. The disease is characterized by the appearance of a feeling of heaviness in the limbs and pain in the back.
6. Varicose veins Symptoms in this case may be different, depending on how far the disease is running. At the first stages of development there are very few of them and they are not specific. The feeling of heaviness occurs only in the evening hours, there are no noticeable changes in the skin at the moment. The development of pathology is not fast, in some cases it occurs within a few years.As the disease progresses, pains arise, blue veins nodules stand out on the skin. In severe cases, edema accompanies the patient all the time, perhaps even the formation of skin ulcers. The most dangerous consequence of varicose veins is the separation of a blood clot from the vascular wall.
7. Lymphostasis. This disease is congenital or acquired. Its appearance occurs as a result of accumulation of excessive volume of lymph between the cells of the tissues. The main clinical manifestations are erysipelas of the legs, heaviness in the limbs, swelling, burning, the formation of trophic ulcers, secondary infection.
8. Diabetes. This serious illness may be accompanied by a symptom called a diabetic foot. This means that the limbs swell, the patient is worried about dryness and flaking of the skin, soreness and heaviness in the legs, in some cases, cramps.

Diagnostics

To determine the cause that provoked the occurrence of heaviness in the legs, it is necessary to consult a doctor who, depending on the associated symptoms, will prescribe such diagnostic procedures:

1. Blood test (clinical and biochemistry). The study assesses blood components, erythrocyte sedimentation rate. If the doctor suspects that the patient has gout, he will pay attention to the concentration of uric acid, atherosclerosis - the amount of cholesterol in the blood, kidney disease - the level of urea, creatine, electrolytes.
2. Reberg test. This is the method by which assessment of renal excretory function is carried out, determining the glomerular filtration rate.

They also take a urine test and do a glucose test.

In addition to laboratory tests, other diagnostic methods are used:

1. Angiography of the vessels. This is a way to study the condition of the blood vessels. Quite often, using such a procedure, you can detect a disease that poses a serious threat to life - thrombosis.
2. Ultrasound vascular scanning. This method allows to identify the manifestations of atherosclerosis, to determine how the vessels are narrowed, and whether there are bends.
3. RVG (reovazografiya). A modern method of functional diagnostics, by means of which the intensity and volume of blood flow in arterial vessels is determinedlimbs.
4. X-ray Conducted to detect specific changes, joint diseases, pathologies of the spine.

• CT or MRI.
• ECG

Treatment

Since heaviness in the legs is often not an independent symptom, but only a sign of a disease, treatment will depend on the data obtained during the diagnosis.

If the reason is hidden in the conduct of the wrong lifestyle, then the problem can be solved by making some corrections to it. However, when the provoking factor is more serious, treatment must be approached thoroughly. It will require both therapeutic measures whose aim is the elimination of the underlying disease, and symptomatic therapy — the use of venotonic agents. When choosing the latter, it is necessary to take into account the underlying disease, as well as the condition of the walls of the veins. Vetotoniki activate the blood circulation process, stimulate blood flow in the vessels. The treatment regimen and dose is determined by the doctor. The following medications are most commonly prescribed:

1. Troxevasin in pill form. The drug has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.
2. Eskuzan.Improves the tone of the veins, is an excellent prophylactic against varicose veins.
3. Detralex. The action of the drug is aimed at activating the outflow of lymph and blood, increasing the tone of the veins.

There are also external preparations, which must be applied, following the instructions prescribed in the instructions. The following agents in the form of gels are considered effective against the severity of the feet:

• Venoruton;
• Lioton;
• Hematrombin;
• Troxevasin.

Experts advise to wear a special compression garment, designed to combat the heaviness in the limbs. In fact, the result from him is pretty good. Such tights and stockings will protect the walls of the veins from internal pressure, thereby reducing pain and swelling. How long and often you need to wear compression underwear, tell phlebologist. The same doctor will assist in choosing the appropriate option, given the severity of the condition.

Heaviness in the legs - this is the reason to carry out daily special physiotherapy exercises. Exercises will help get rid of stagnation, lead to relaxation of leg muscles.

If the cause of heaviness in the limbs is varicose veins, and conservative methods of treatment do not bring results, more radical options are applied:

1. EVLK (Endovasal Laser Coagulation) is a modern method, the aim of which is to eliminate blood reflux in the veins using the thermal energy of laser radiation. The procedure has obvious advantages. There is no need to make an incision, use general anesthesia. In addition, after it the patient recovers quickly.
2. Sclerotherapy This procedure is used to treat diseases of the vascular and lymphatic systems. The method is based on the introduction into the vein of a special medication, which, penetrating into the cavity of the vessel, damages it. Then the resulting lumen is overgrown with connective tissue. The treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis, in one day. Significant disadvantages include the risk of recurrence.
3. Operation. During this treatment, the doctor removes the affected veins. Cons - general anesthesia and a long recovery period.

During childbirth, the following therapies are prescribed:

• Do not allow long standing on the legs.
• Use compression underwear.
• Watch your posture.
• Ensure proper nutrition and adequate drinking regime, avoid excessive weight gain.
• Perform remedial gymnastics.

How to deal with weight in the legs?

If the feeling of fatigue and heaviness in the legs often appears, it is necessary, first of all, to provide them with rest. To do this, sit down or lie down for a while, making sure that the legs are slightly elevated. This will improve the flow of lymph and blood. Then you should take a douche, changing alternately warm and cool water.

Regularly doing some exercises, you can alleviate the symptoms by relieving tension in your legs and speeding up blood flow. This task will cope familiar to many "bike".

It is useful for those who have problems with their feet, to stand with their feet without shoes on a special massage mat. This procedure will stimulate the nerve endings that are located on the feet.

If you have to be on your feet for a long time due to the characteristics of the profession, you can use compression hosiery. In addition, you need to try to warm up every free minute, or if it is impossible, change your body position.

When a symptom such as heavy legs is detected, the situation should not be delayed andYou should visit the medical institution as early as possible so that the doctor, after examining, on the basis of the information received, determines what diagnostic and therapeutic procedures the patient should undergo. If necessary, the doctor will give direction to narrow specialists: cardiologist, orthopedist, neurologist, nephrologist, etc.

Folk remedies

The use of traditional medicine recipes will help get rid of the feeling of tiredness, pain and heaviness in the legs.

The following remedies are effective against these symptoms:

1. Herbal foot bath. Oak bark, nettle, linden, chamomile, mint are mixed in equal proportions. The composition is filled with water and placed on medium heat. After boiling the product, it is necessary to remove it from the stove, let it cool and be used as a foot bath.
2. Compresses. They will help to quickly alleviate the condition by eliminating the heaviness in the limbs. A small amount of ice cubes should be wrapped in a piece of cloth. Make a massage, gently moving from the bottom of the legs to the top.
3. Well helps to remove the feeling of fatigue delicate self-massage with the use of horse chestnut-based products, as well as essential oils - lavender, mint, cypress.
4. They will help to relax and relieve the condition of the extremities of the bath, in which you need to add sea salt, essential oil or apple vinegar. Such an event can be held in the evening after a hard day.
5. You can quickly and effectively normalize the blood flow, and thus get rid of discomfort, you can, if you lie down and lift the limbs so that they are located above the heart.

Preventive measures

1. In order not to face such a problem as heaviness in the legs, one should try to instill in oneself healthy habits with which one can improve blood circulation. To do this, you need to move more, go in for sports: run, swim, go to yoga classes. Great benefit will bring a contrast shower, because it helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
2. An effective preventive measure to reduce blood flow to the extremities is to slightly raise the lower border of the bed.
3. Special attention should be paid to your own diet. The diet should consist of foods that contain a lot of vitamin E. These include oils, fish, wheat. As well as vitamin C - fresh berries and fruits.
4. Such elements have a good antioxidant effect, positively affecting the vessels.
5. In addition, it is necessary to reduce as much as possible, and it is better to completely eliminate spices, fatty and fried dishes from your menu.
6. If you have bad habits (addiction to cigarettes, alcohol), you need to fight them. It is highly not recommended excessive passion for procedures that have a powerful warm effect - tanning beds, saunas, waxing, etc. You should try not to lift heavy objects and avoid long loads on your legs.
7. In addition, we must forget about this habit, like sitting, putting one foot on the other. This situation leads to the formation of stagnation.
8. When choosing shoes for every day, the first thing you need to pay attention to is that it is comfortable and comfortable for the foot. Ladies, it is desirable to select a model on a stable low heels (no more than 5 cm).

We must not forget that the health of the legs is very important, because every day they are subjected to tremendous physical exertion. Therefore, you should take care of them and lead a correct lifestyle. It is also important to remember about prevention, because the disease is easier to prevent than to cure.Due to this, it will be possible to avoid a lot of troubles that are associated with the discomfort - the weight of the legs.

Video: how to reduce the heaviness in the legs with varicose veins