Ever feel as though your legs are heavier than usual? You may have several questions about this issue as it is frequently common. This post reveals the answers to a few frequently asked questions about Leg Heaviness.
Generally speaking, inadequate blood circulation is the leading cause of heavy legs. Problems with blood circulation typically affect the lower body, particularly the legs. It is because your lower body must defy gravity for the blood to return to your heart. So, if your circulation is poor, blood may collect in your legs, foot, and ankles and make your legs feel heavy.
Causes Of Leg Heaviness
You experience the sensation that your legs are heavy because of venous insufficiency. Legs feeling heavy is caused by damaged veins that prevent blood from returning to the heart, which is why this occurs. The excess blood in your legs controlling the blood flow causes your legs to expand and makes you feel heavy.
It can cause varicose veins or perhaps other vein problems if left untreated. Vein problems can be caused by several important factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, hormones, obesity, genes, age, vitamin deficiencies, and a lack of exercise. Although if the condition has already started, alternatives to varicose and spider vein therapy are recommended. Potential causes of leg heaviness are the following;
Varicose Vein:
These veins expand and have a rough, knotted look, mainly in the legs and feet. Varicose veins commonly show up;
As we age,
certain hormonal events, such as menopause, affect circulation, including pregnancy (due to changing hormones and the uterus’s increasing pressure).
Other hormonal events, such as menopause in obese people.
People with a family history of the condition.
People with jobs that require a lot of standing and sitting.
When the veins lose their flexibility and valves deteriorate, the veins widen and enable blood that ought to be moving around the body to pool in the legs. Legs may feel heavy and exhausted as a result of the pooled blood.
In the United States, up to 23% trusted Source of adults suffer from varicose veins. Women experience them more frequently than males.
PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease):
This cardiovascular disease develops when fat deposits accumulate and constrict the artery walls. Although PAD can happen anywhere, it often affects the legs. Your legs could experience fatigue, cramping, and ache if there is insufficient blood flow. One of the first indications of PAD is these symptoms.
Your legs can develop fatty buildup in the same ways as your other arteries do. Top risk factors include high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 8 to 12 million Americans suffer from PAD.
OTS (Overtraining Syndrome):
Athletes are always looking for ways to perform better. However, if they overtrain without allowing their bodies a chance to recover, they may have various health issues, such as heavy legs.
Muscles don’t have time to repair themselves when you “overreach,” pushing harder than what you believe you can do daily. Athletes frequently complain about having heavy legs, especially runners and bikers.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis:
It alludes to the spinal column narrowing. The spinal column’s bones, or vertebrae, and the discs that cushion impacts and sit between each vertebra may narrow the spinal canal, causing pain. In addition to the lower back, the legs may also experience that ache, making them feel heavy, numb, and weak.
Among the risk elements are;
Smoking (compounds in cigarettes can restrict blood vessels)
Age (spinal column narrowing can result naturally during the aging process)
Obesity (extra weight stresses the entire body, especially the spine)
Restless Leg Syndrome:
Leg discomfort that occurs while lying down and is frequently described as aching, throbbing, or crawling is a defining symptom of this illness. With movement, it is eased. Scientists think that heredity may contribute to the condition, in addition to an issue with how the brain interprets movement impulses, even though the exact explanation is unknown.
The group in most danger include;
Alcohol and tobacco use
Taking some drugs that change brain chemistry
Taking anti-cold drugs
Pregnant women
Have nerve damage
Fibromyalgia, a disorder that causes persistent muscle pain and fatigue, and restless legs also correlate strongly. According to research, patients with fibromyalgia are ten times more likely to experience restless legs syndrome.
Obesity:
Although several conditions can contribute to heavy legs, being overweight or obese may cause the disease.
Particularly if the person is standing for an extended period during the day, carrying additional weight can strain the leg’s joints, muscles, and tendons more.
Circulation issues in obese individuals with a sedentary lifestyle may also make their legs seem heavier.
One of the other illnesses that result in heavy legs is obesity. Weight loss may aid in symptom relief or general health enhancement.
Symptoms Of Leg Heaviness
Legs that are too heavy may feel tight, uncomfortable, achy, and worn out. Circulatory issues may cause your legs to appear bloated. Legs with varicose veins may seem rough. Leg circulation issues can also result in sores that take a long time to heal and pale or bluish skin appearance.
Hefty Legs Are Described As;
Achy
Tired
Crampy
Stiff
As Well As Appearing Heavy Legs;
Swollen (because of circulatory problems)
Bumpy (due to varicose veins)
With wounds that take a while to heal (skin needs a proper blood supply to heal)
Pallid or blue (due to poor circulation)
When To See The Doctor
Now and then, everyone feels like their legs are heavy. Maybe you sat too long or worked out too hard.
But you should immediately contact your doctor if the discomfort persists or your symptoms are troublesome. They will look through your medical history, ask you about your symptoms, and do any necessary tests to determine or check the exact cause of the issue.
For instance, they can advise getting an ultrasound to check the blood flow through your arteries to identify PAD.
Diagnosis Of Leg Heaviness
To identify whether venous insufficiency, PAD, or another ailment is the cause of your heavy legs, your doctor will review or check your medical history, elicit information about your symptoms, and do specific tests. They might also perform an ultrasound to examine how your arteries and veins are functioning.
Treatment Of Leg Heaviness
You may do several things at home to alleviate the effects of heavy legs. The most crucial one is to stay active, get lots of exercises, and reduce your weight if necessary. Additionally, you might wear compression stockings and elevate your legs. Nevertheless, get medical attention if symptoms worsen or continue to trouble you.
If your physician finds that the cause of your heavy leg symptoms is vascular disease, they will develop a treatment plan for you. Compression devices, physical activity, weight loss, and management of any underlying medical issues with prescribed medication and lifestyle changes are likely to be included in this strategy.
Additionally, if you smoke, they will advise you to stop because it can cause PAD.
Procedures to increase blood flow in the veins or arteries may be required in specific circumstances. Along with treatment to clear blockages, these procedures may involve injecting dye into the veins and arteries. Rhinoplasty and the implantation of stents in the veins are examples of these therapies. Treatment options for the arteries may include stent implantation, angioplasty, and atherectomy.
Medications
You might be given supplements like Vasculera if identified as having a venous illness.
You can anticipate receiving a daily aspirin tablet combined with cholesterol-lowering or blood pressure-lowering medication if you are identified as having PAD or a comparable condition. For instance, statins, which include Lipitor (Atorvastatin) and Crestor, are the most widely used cholesterol-lowering drugs (Rosuvastatin calcium). Numerous drugs are available to lower blood pressure, such as Lisinopril, Lotensin (benazepril), Capoten (captopril), and Vasotec (enalapril).
Prevention Of Leg Heaviness
There are a few things you may take to ease any pain your heavy legs may be causing;
Losing weight can be beneficial since it can prevent varicose veins and diabetes, which can impede blood flow in the arteries due to an accumulation of fatty deposits.
Give up smoking.
Take appropriate rest days in between periods of strenuous activity.
The blood accumulated in your legs can be effectively circulated and drained to the rest of your body by elevating your legs 6 to 12 inches above your heart level or massaging your legs.
Patients should wear compression stockings to increase blood flow
. Being active is a great way to manage weight, lower cholesterol, and enhance circulation. Your exercise program needs to be customized for your fitness level, and you should obtain advice from your doctor.
Contact our knowledgeable vein doctors at North Atlanta Vascular and Vein Center if you feel like your legs are heavy or if you are exhibiting severe leg symptoms. In Suwanee, Georgia, we provide the most efficient heavy-leg therapy.
Do’s:
Shower or bathe in lukewarm water; hot water expands blood vessels, and chilly water contracts them.
Do it more often (e.g., walk, bike, swim or jog).
To support circulation, drink much water.
Reduce processed and high-salt items as you improve your diet.
Don’ts:
Don’t spend too much time in high heels.
Avoid wearing tight clothing or socks, which might restrict blood flow.
Avoid smoking. Smoking is detrimental to many things, including blood vessels.
