heavy legs

Definition

In general (except in specific cases), the problem of heavy and painful legs is caused by venous disorders. We also speak of venous insufficiency in the broadest sense.
In fact, the veins are responsible for taking blood from the periphery (legs, hands) to the heart and sometimes the system becomes less performant, as the muscular vascular wall dilates and prevents sufficient return to the heart.

There is then a stagnation of blood in the legs and this leads to edema that translates into pain, heavy legs and a burning sensation.

It is a female disease, as the venous circulation is often linked to the hormonal system. In young women, following the menstrual cycle, painful legs are quite frequent.

Interesting observation: Badly treated heavy legs can lead to complications such as venous insufficiency and aesthetic complications such as varicose veins, so consult your specialist quickly to carry out the most appropriate treatment.

Causes

Heavy legs can be caused by:

– hereditary factors (genetics)

– heat (especially in summer), in fact the temperature favors the dilation of the veins and the blood has a tendency to stagnate in the legs, which favors the development of heavy legs.

– spend a lot of time standing (as happens, for example, with salespeople) or sitting (long car or plane trip)

– the gender of the person (we know that women are more subject to the problem of heavy legs).

– excess weight (since there is more fatty tissue, and therefore a greater work of irrigation of the venous tissue)

– age (older people are more affected by this disease)

– pregnancy (pregnancy and heavy legs)

– hormonal problems

Symptoms

In general, we feel heavy legs, burning (tingling), cramps and pain in the legs.

We also observed swelling (characteristic of edema) in the leg region, in addition to varicose veins. Very often there may also be difficulty putting on shoes.

Swelling, a typical sign of heavy legs, can occur in all parts of the leg, including the feet, ankles or thighs.

Beware, in some cases swelling in the lower leg can be a sign of a serious illness, such as a blood clot or heart disease.

Treatments

Medicines against heavy legs are called phlebotonics, doctors and pharmacists often use gels (very practical also thanks to the cooling effect of the gel) or tablets:

In gel to treat heavy legs

– heparin-based gel (almost always under medical prescription, mainly used for circulation problems, ask your doctor for advice).

– escin-based gel as well as medicinal plants, almost always associated with a refreshing effect due to the galenic form of the gel.

In pill or capsule form to treat heavy legs

– tablet or capsule called venotonics: in general, based on flavonoids from plants or chemically synthesized.

– herbal tablets or capsule: red vine, currant, horse chestnut.

Varicose veins containment stockings

– Ask your pharmacy or doctor for advice.

Herbal medicine

The following medicinal plants have been shown to be effective against heavy legs:

For more information about plant medicine, which is often used as a complement to other treatments, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

– The red vine (in capsules, gel, infusion or cream)

– Gilbarbeira (in capsules)

– Horse chestnut (in capsules, decoction, gel or cream)

– The blueberry (in capsules)

– Witch hazel (in capsules or infusion)

– The scented clover (in capsules or infusion)

– Currant leaves (in capsule)

Tips

When your heavy legs problem is diagnosed, you can:

– Apply something cold (eg cold water) and something hot, these heat variations favor blood circulation.

– Massage from bottom to top: this helps to make the blood rise.

– don’t eat too much salt

– When you go to sleep, you can put your legs in a higher position.

– See also classic treatments and herbal treatments to cure heavy legs.

– Raise your legs to a higher level than your heart, lie down and keep your legs elevated for 15 to 20 min. Repeat this exercise several times a day with intervals of a few hours.

– If you are sitting for a long time (eg plane travel), try to get up from time to time for a walk and to stretch your legs.

Prevention

To avoid having heavy legs, you can:

– Exercise regularly (walking, sports), as physical activity remains one of the best “medicines” to prevent and cure heavy legs. Exercise favors venous circulation in the leg region. Give preference to exercises that prioritize the muscles of the legs (walking, fitness that works the lower part of the body,…).

– Lose weight.

– Avoid standing or lying down for a long time.

– Drink plenty of liquids (1.5L of water per day) and regularly, as drinking liquids improves blood circulation and therefore limits the problem of heavy legs.

– Avoid cigarettes (smoking increases the risk of complications, particularly venous complications)

– Avoid being exposed to heat for a long time, as we know that high temperatures favor the occurrence of heavy legs

– If necessary, use stockings against varicose veins. Ask your pharmacist for advice. In general, this sock should be used in the morning.

– Eat healthy vitamin-based foods such as wheat germ.

Jeanne Kenney
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I’m a stylist trainer, a content creator, and an entrepreneur passion. Virgo sign and Pisces ascendant, I move easily between my dreams, the crazy world I want, and my feet on the ground to carry out my projects.

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