Why Do My Legs Feel Heavy?

Reviewed by: Dr. Satish Vayuvegula

Have you ever experienced your legs feeling heavier than normal? It is a common feeling, so know that you are not alone. You likely have many questions about why your legs feel heavy, and what you can do about it.

Today is your lucky day. In this article we are discussing all things related to heavy legs and what you can do if you find yourself suffering from heavy, aching or weak legs.

Your Questions About Heavy Legs, Answered

Why do my legs feel heavy?

The heavy feeling in legs typically is a result of poor circulation. Circulation issues are experienced more in the lower part of your body (primarily the legs) because this part of your body has to fight hard against gravity to get the blood all the way back up to your heart. Thus, if your circulation is weak, then blood may end up pooling in your legs as well as your feet and ankles.

What causes the heavy feeling in my legs?

The circulation issues you are experiencing in your legs are a result of venous insufficiency. Your veins are damaged or broken, and are unable to properly circulate your blood back up to your heart, and thus are causing that heavy leg sensation.

The heavy feeling can come from the excess blood that is in your legs, unable to properly flow. You can also feel heaviness in your legs due to swelling as the blood pools.

If left untreated, the venous insufficiency can turn into varicose veins, as well as other potential vein diseases.

There are some factors that may be putting you at risk of developing venous insufficiency, varicose veins, and other vein issues. The most common factors that lead to vein issues are:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Hormones
• Age
• Obesity
• Genes
• Lack of exercise

By ensuring that you are exercising regularly, moving around throughout the day, and keeping your weight in check, you cut out some potential risks for developing vein problems.

However, if it’s too late for prevention, and you do end up finding yourself suffering from the above vein issues — don’t worry, there are varicose and spider vein treatment options.

How do you treat vein issues?

There are a number of different treatment options at Vein Clinics of America that are all safe, quick, and out-patient.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is used to treat small and medium leg vein issues, mostly commonly spider and varicose veins. It is performed by your doctor injecting the damaged vein with a liquid that closes the vein.

Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)

This form of treatment is used to treat large vein disease and large varicose veins on your legs. These veins are usually below the surface and not able to be seen without ultrasound. It is performed by your doctor inserting a small catheter into the diseased vein and using laser lights to generate heat, which then causes the vein to collapse.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency ablation is used to treat large vein disease and large varicose veins on your legs. These veins are usually below the surface and not able to be seen without ultrasound. It is performed by your doctor inserting a small catheter into the diseased vein. Through this catheter, heat is delivered to collapse the vein.

VenaSeal

This approach to varicose vein treatment is also referred to as endovenous adhesive ablation. VenaSeal is performed by your doctor using a small catheter to put medical adhesive into your damaged vein to close that vein. This helps to redirect blood to healthy veins.

Phlebectomy

This treatment works best for removing varicose veins near the surface of your skin. Phlebectomy is performed by your doctor making a number of small punctures in your skin, and through those punctures, removing the damaged vein. This approach to vein treatment typically occurs without the need for stitches, and is often done with ELVA or radiofrequency ablation.

Are Your Heavy, Achy Legs Normal? Here’s What to Know

by Dr. David Naar

When you come home after a long day of work or a vigorous workout session, you might expect your legs to feel tired and even a bit heavy. However, if you find yourself experiencing tired, stiff, and weighed down legs for no reason, you might be struggling with a condition of your veins.

The good news is that most of these conditions are treatable so that you won’t have to continue living with these uncomfortable symptoms. Dr. Naar and our care team at Premier Vein Clinic in Westlake, Ohio, can get to the bottom of your heavy, achy legs.

Here’s the essential information you need to know about three common conditions that may affect your legs and when you need to schedule a consultation.

Restless Legs Syndrome

People with restless legs syndrome (RLS) often describe a powerful urge to move their legs, along with unpleasant sensations that cover the lower leg. Symptoms are usually strongest when relaxing or trying to sleep, which can be a serious concern that affects quality of life. RLS might even wake you up at night or make activities like sitting in a long meeting challenging.

The cause of RLS isn’t known, but experts believe there may be a connection between the condition and low levels of iron in the brain.

Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) happens from a buildup of plaque on the walls of blood vessels. Too much plaque can narrow the vessels, limiting the space blood has to flow and slowing down the delivery of oxygen to your feet and legs.

It’s estimated that PAD affects millions of people in the United States alone, but many don’t even know what it is or that they have it. If you have diabetes, you’re at an increased risk for PAD, and it can lead to other conditions of your lower legs and feet. Common symptoms include tingling, numbness, and a cold sensation as well as pain in your thigh or calf after walking.

Varicose Veins

Do you have thick, bumpy, knotted veins in your legs or feet? These are known as varicose veins and can leave you with a sensation of heaviness and stiffness in your legs. If the veins in your lower legs lose their elasticity or valves becomes weak, some of the blood flows backwards and pools in the vessels of the legs instead of circulating back to your heart. Varicose veins develop during pregnancy, as you age, and with obesity.  

Is it Time for an Appointment?

If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms for a while or they’re bothersome, come in to see Dr. Naar, a physician who specializes in disorders of the veins. He gathers a thorough medical history from you so that he understands your symptoms and any risk factors that place you at a higher than average risk. Depending on what he uncovers, you may need additional testing performed to confirm a diagnosis.

If you’re ready to schedule your consultation, give our office a call today or request an appointment online to find a remedy for your achy, tired legs.

Simple tips for relieving heavy leg syndrome

Recognizing the symptoms of heavy leg syndrome

Many people, but mostly women, suffer from heavy and painful legs. But what exactly does “heavy leg syndrome” mean and what are its symptoms?

If you notice that your leg veins are bluish or purplish, you likely suffer from heavy leg syndrome. Your ankles are swollen and feel heavy and your legs feel weighted down when you walk. Putting your legs up usually helps relieve leg fatigue.

What causes heavy leg syndrome?

Heavy leg syndrome is the result of poor circulation in the lower limbs and is sometimes caused by standing for too long. When this happens, the heart has to work against gravity to pump blood. Women who are overweight are more susceptible to heavy leg syndrome because their body puts more strain on their legs and substantially slows the return of blood to the heart. In pregnant women, the uterus compresses the blood vessels, which hinders blood flow.

Vein disorders also have hormonal origins, which is why more women than men suffer from heavy leg syndrome.

Tips for relieving heavy leg syndrome:

1. Avoid standing for long periods and crossing your legs to avoid slowing blood flow.
2. Avoid wearing overly tight clothing.
3. Stimulate blood flow by jogging, walking, cycling and swimming, all of which are ideal physical exercises for stretching muscles that will in turn “massage” the blood vessels in your legs.
4. Walking in sand or grass regularly can also help stimulate blood flow.
5. Place a pillow at the foot of your bed to raise your legs, which will help improve blood flow.
6. Avoid cold feet by always wearing warm socks and good shoes. Another way to stimulate blood flow is to soak your feet in warm water for three minutes followed by three seconds in cold water. Repeat the process for 20 minutes.
7. You can relieve heavy legs naturally with Venaforce tablets. Made from horse chestnuts, the tablets are 100% natural and contain aescin, the active ingredient in horse chestnut trees that improves the elasticity of the inner walls of the blood vessels. Aescin prevents water retention and improves blood flow in your body, including your legs.  For more effectiveness, combine Venaforce tablets with Venaforce gel.
8. Lastly, a healthy diet can have a beneficial effect on heavy, tired legs. Vary your meals and eat a diet consisting mostly of fruits, vegetables and grains. Vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc are important nutrients that work as antioxidants that neutralize harmful substances.

Kishore K. Arcot , MD, FACC, FSCAI, FSVM, RPVI: Cardiology

Puffy ankles. Tight, itchy skin on your calves. Whether you wake up in the morning with these symptoms or you notice them after a long day standing on your feet, you know that swollen legs can be painful and uncomfortable.

These are just a few of the most common symptoms of swollen legs, and there are many possible causes. At Memphis Vein Center in Memphis, Tennessee, Kishore Arcot, MD, and our team provide comprehensive cardiology and vein care. If you’re bothered by puffy, swollen legs, we’re here to help you find ways to relieve your discomfort and improve your health.

The main reasons for leg swelling

There are two main reasons for leg swelling: inflammation and fluid retention. 

Inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury, and pain often comes along with the swelling. Some causes of inflammation include acute injuries, such as a broken bone or sprained ankle, and certain health conditions, such as arthritis.

Fluid retention

Another common reason for leg swelling is fluid retention. Known medically as peripheral edema, this type of swelling develops when too much fluid collects in the leg tissues. Fluid retention can make legs look puffy and discolored, and it can also make them feel numb, tight, heavy, or itchy.

Peripheral edema could be a symptom of a venous problem, a lymphatic system problem, or a kidney problem. These systems move fluid throughout your body, but certain health issues can impede this flow and cause blood or other fluids to build up and pool in your legs.

Possible causes for fluid retention

If you have edema, the swelling in your lower legs might be due to any of the following issues:

Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a condition that develops when a blood clot forms in a vein that’s deep inside your body. They’re common in the pelvis, thighs, and lower legs.

Some people with deep vein thrombosis don’t notice any symptoms, but the condition can cause swelling in your feet and ankles, leg cramping, and pain in your feet or ankles. Deep vein thrombosis is a serious medical condition, because the clot could break free, travel to your heart, and cause a pulmonary embolism.

May-Thurner syndrome

May-Thurner syndrome is a condition in which the right iliac artery lies on top of the left iliac artery and compresses it. This can lead to swelling in the left leg. 

May-Thurner syndrome could increase your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis in your left leg. If you develop deep vein thrombosis, you might experience swelling, pain, or changes in skin color on your left leg.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a type of swelling that’s caused by problems in the lymphatic system. Your lymph nodes filter lymphatic fluid from your body, but blockages in your lymphatic system can lead to fluid retention.

Lymphedema often starts with mild swelling, but it can get more severe over time. Symptoms often include swelling in the legs and feet as well as sensations of aching and heaviness in the limbs. 

Acute swelling

Everyone can experience leg swelling from time to time, and it’s not always a sign of an underlying condition. Sitting or standing still for long periods of time, eating a diet high in salt, or being overweight or obese can cause acute fluid buildup and leg swelling.

Mild swelling in your lower legs or ankles that goes away within a day or so shouldn’t be a cause for concern. But, it’s important to recognize when leg swelling could indicate a more serious medical condition. Seek medical care if your legs are swollen for several days, or if you notice other symptoms, such as the following:

Dr. Arcot and our team specialize in identifying the root causes of leg swelling. We use ultrasound to evaluate our patients’ vascular health and diagnose their conditions, and we can help you find a treatment plan that fits your needs.

If you have swollen legs and want treatment, we can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Memphis Vein Center today.

Venous hypertension in the legs. Do you get tired, throbbing, painful legs?

Getting diagnosed with venous hypertension / insufficiency

If your legs feel tired, throbbing and painful, make an appointment at your GP practice. You may be given an appointment to see the nurse rather than the doctor as nurses are often responsible for caring for patients with leg problems.

Alternatively, there might be a Leg Club or specialist leg clinic in your area. You don’t need to be referred by your GP to visit these clinics.

When you see the nurse or doctor, they should:

• Ask about your symptoms and how long you have had problems
• Examine your lower legs

You may also be offered a simple test called a Doppler ultrasound. This test measures the blood pressure in your ankle and compares it to the pressure in your arm to see if you have problems with the blood supply to your lower leg.

You might also be offered some further tests to check for other health problems that can affect your legs, such as diabetes and anaemia

If your GP practice thinks that your pain is caused by problems with your veins or arteries, they may refer you for further tests at your local hospital or specialist clinic.

Treatment – what treatment will I be offered for venous hypertension / insufficiency?

Compression therapy (support bandages or socks)

If your pain is caused by venous insufficiency, and there are no problems with the blood supply to your leg/s, then you must be offered compression therapy.

Compression therapy improves blood supply by applying pressure to the leg. This can be done by bandaging the lower leg or by wearing supportive socks, stockings or tights. Compression therapy is very effective at reducing swelling and healing or preventing sores or ulcers. There are lots of different types of compression therapy so ask your nurse to find something that is right for you. Compression can be a little uncomfortable when you first start treatment but any discomfort should reduce as the swelling goes down. You might find it helpful to take pain killers when you start compression therapy.

Venous intervention

If your problems/symptoms are caused by venous hypertension there are simple interventions available on the NHS to treat the veins which are not working correctly, therefore, providing a permanent solution to your issues.  If the issues are believed to be coming from your veins you should seek a referral through your GP / healthcare practitioner to your local vascular specialist team.

The most common vein treatment options available include:

• Endothermal ablation – where heat is used to seal up the affected veins
• Sclerotherapy – this uses special foam to close the veins
• Ligation and stripping – where the affected veins are surgically removed

Healthcare advice for venous hypertension / insufficiency

Making healthy changes to your lifestyle can help reduce the symptoms of tired, throbbing, painful legs:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Take light to moderate exercise, such as swimming or walking for about 30 minutes at least three times a week
• Avoid standing for a long time
• Wear compression socks or tights instead of ordinary socks / tights

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What Might Symptoms Mean?-Full Potential PT

Do you have pain, numbness, tingling, or heaviness running down one or both legs?
Do you have pain in your knee, hip, ankle, or foot AND your lower back?
If so, then you may have a condition called, sciatica.

The Sciatic Nerve

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It’s actually 2 nerves. It starts in the lower back and travels down the back of the leg. The sciatic nerve splits into two nerves behind the knee and travels into the lower leg, ankle, and foot.

Sciatica is usually caused by a problem in the back or pelvis.

How Can a Problem in My Back Cause Pain, Numbness, Tingling, or Heaviness in My Legs?

Have you ever used a garden hose?

What happens when you’re spraying the hose and the water pressure completely dies off?

You look for the “kink” in the hose, right?

It’s the same idea with your sciatic nerve. If you have pain, numbness, tingling, or heaviness in one or both legs then you’re getting pressure on the sciatic nerve, most likely in your back, just like the kink in the hose.

Relieve the pressure on the nerve and the pain, numbness, tingling, or heaviness goes away.

What types of Problems in My Back Cause Sciatica?

There are 3 common causes of sciatica:

• Herniated Discs
• Stenosis (arthritis or disc degeneration)
• Pelvis or SI Joint Problems

How Can I Treat It Successfully?

First, we need to take a look at what is causing your sciatica.

This is done with movement tests we do here at Full Potential Physical Therapy.

We can look at any results of X-Rays or MRI’s you may have, although they are not necessarily needed.

After this, we design a treatment program based on what is specifically causing your sciatica.

Super Important Point on Sciatica Treatment

One of the biggest mistakes someone with sciatica can make is to think they have the same problem or the same cause as someone else they know with sciatica.

But here’s the deal. Each of the 3 causes above has a different treatment program specifically for that problem.

Someone with stenosis or arthritis going through the treatment for herniated discs actually makes the sciatica worse.

And that person may think, “Well, I’ve tried PT and it didn’t work for me…”

Unfortunately, this happens with Physical Therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, and just about every other health care service.

We’ve Reviewed Our Records for People Who Successfully Overcome Sciatica, Naturally, With Physical Therapy…

Sciatica sufferers who do the best and get back to normal again and avoid surgery tend to talk the most with the Physical Therapist. They let the physical therapist know what is working and what is not.

Have a Question About Sciatica? Give us a call at 616-392-2172. We’d love to hear from you.

10 tips for lighter and refreshed legs

Summer is synonymous with sunny days, leisure and relaxation. But it also brings with it some disturbances that are accentuated due to rising temperatures. These include legs that feel heavy, tired and swollen. In fact, who has never suffered from stiff and tired legs?

Indice all’interno dell’articolo

What does the feeling of heavy and tired legs depend on?

Many women complain of problems related to the circulatory system. At the base of these common symptoms there is chronic venous insufficiency. This is a blood circulation disorder that can be more or less severe. It actually has no seasons, but multiple risk factors. Among these there are incorrect eating habits, overweight, familiarity, use of some drugs, constipation, few physical activity, old age, etc. Venous insufficiency can lead to the development of varicose veins. Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, and twisting veins, often appearing blue or dark purple.

If the problem persists for a long time it is advisable to discuss with your doctor.

How to alleviate the annoying sensation of bloating, heaviness, heat, tingling, cramping and leg pains?

A healthy lifestyle is always recommended to prevent and improve health … also of our lower limbs.

• Surely, it is necessary to pay attention to food. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins, minerals, fibers and water promotes the tonic activity of the venous system and the elimination of liquids in excess. If you’re overweight, losing weight is recommended.
• It is essential to practice physical activity. There are specific exercises to tone and strengthen the leg muscles. With sunny days we should try to carve out some time for a nice walk, a swim, or a bike ride. Movement helps promote circulation and a correct blood flow.

Here are 10 tips to improve circulation and have lighter legs.

1. Lots of fruits and vegetables, few salt. Vitamins, fibers and antioxidants present in fruit have an invigorating and protective power towards the circulatory system. They also help to keep water retention, and therefore swelling, under control.
2. Drink lots of water. Maintaining good hydration is also very important to help expel toxins that stagnate in the blood vessels.
3. Move. Sport and physical exertion favor venous return (ie the flow of blood to the heart from the periphery), through the movement of the leg muscles.
4. Perform targeted exercises. If you stand for long time sitted in the office, for example, you encourage poor circulation and microcirculation. Therefore it is important to remember to stand up and stretch your legs. If the ankles are particularly swollen, we recommend massaging the sole of the foot with a tennis ball. Keep the plant in contact with the floor during this exercise.
5. Refresh the legs. The cold is a vasoconstrictor: it restricts blood vessels and discourages venous stagnation. You can soothe your legs through a nice jet of cold water in the shower. You can also dip them in a tub with ice for a few minutes.
6. Do not wear clothes that are too tight. Clothes that are too tight, such as jeans, constrict blood vessels, preventing venous return. Therefore, choose comfortable and loose-fitting clothes.
7. Elevate your legs. Before going to sleep, you can place a pillow under your legs so that they stand upright and thus promote microcirculation. You can also rest your legs against a wall and keep an L position for a few minutes. This will encourage venous return.
8. Practice self-massages. Bottom-up movements with specific products for heavy legs will help to relieve lower limbs.
9. Don’t sit too long. Staying in this position for too long slows blood circulation and increase blood pressure, promoting swelling of the lower limbs. Never cross your legs, but keep feet parallel and well resting on the floor.
10. Yes to natural home remedies! You can, for example, devote time to your wellbeing by giving yourself a foot bath based on water and plant extracts. Or you can take food supplements that support the functioning of the circulatory system.

What are the most effective supplements for heavy and tired legs?

Venous insufficiency as a leg syndrome is a condition to be treated in a targeted manner. The intake of dietary supplements has to find a place in our wellness routine. This is useful in order to support the proper functioning of the circulatory system.

Also in this case, nature offers us all its help. PromoPharma know this well, and that’s why we have formulated a specific and synergistic product line for these problems. Varistasi® plus are products that operates a unique synergy “in” and “ou” for the treatment of symptoms of venous insufficiency.

Specifically, Varistasi® plus is a food supplement in tablets based on highly concentrated active ingredients for a triple action:

• Maritime pine and Troxerutin, for an antioxidant action and reinforcement of the venous walls.
• Centella, for the correct functioning of the microcirculation.
• Lespedeza, to help drain excess fluids.

Varistasi® plus leg gel, on the other hand, is a medical device that works as a dermocosmetic treatment with a refreshing action. It gives an immediate relief of tiredness, heaviness and swelling of the legs. Based on:

• Witch hazel, centella, horse-chestnut and butcher’s broom for a tonic, vasoconstrictor and healing action.
• Blueberry and vine for an antioxidant, anti-edema and vasoprotective action.

How does the supplement work for leg pains?

In three words: repair, restore, drain.

• Repair: because at the base of venous insufficiency there is often vascular alteration or damage.
• Restore: to give new vigor and stimulate the contractile activity on the venous walls.
• Drain: to eliminate liquid stagnation, eliminating water retention and edema.

Prevent venous insufficiency and alleviate the annoying heaviness of the legs.

Remember: venous insufficiency does not occur only in summer, but it is a disorder that affects every season.

To help the venous return and relieve the annoying heaviness of the legs, take Varistasi® Plus, at a dose of 1 tablet a day, performing cycles of at least 20 days, several times a year. During the acute phase of discomfort, massage the legs with Varistasi® plus leg gel, performing a massage from the bottom upwards. This way you will stimulate venous return and reduce swelling.

90,000 Heaviness in calves: what to do, how to treat

A feeling of heaviness in the calves appears, as a rule, after a long standing or sitting position with the legs motionlessly lowered down. The cause is chronic venous insufficiency – the result of insufficiency of the valves of the deep veins of the lower extremities. As a result, the outflow of venous blood from the lower extremities worsens. Heaviness in the calves is the earliest symptom of the disease.Then there are edemas of the lower extremities, varicose veins and finally trophic ulcers of the lower extremities.

More than 35 million inhabitants of our country suffer from one or another clinical form of chronic venous insufficiency. This pathology is predisposed to people engaged in work associated with a static position of the legs (drivers, office workers sitting at the computer, hairdressers, people who make long flights).

Up to 70% of pregnant women have chronic venous insufficiency.The disease has grown younger: in our practice, we meet signs of chronic venous insufficiency in every fourth woman under the age of 30!

Diagnosis of the disease is simple and effective. It is necessary to visit the surgeon and conduct a special ultrasound examination of the veins of the lower extremities.
You can get answers to your questions or make an appointment by calling the multichannel phone: (495) 956-91-03

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It is important for us that patients feel comfortable within the walls of the clinic, and we have done everything to surround you with coziness

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At your service – attentive staff who will answer any question and help you navigate

90,000 why does it appear and what to do about it?

The feeling of heaviness in the legs and the feeling of spreading the legs is familiar to many. Especially often these symptoms bother women: the severity can increase in the evening and be accompanied by swelling of the legs. What to do about it?

Listen to “Heaviness in the legs: why does it appear and what to do about it?” on Spreaker.

The reason is rooted in the distant past. Walking upright, which freed a person’s hands, eventually became the reason that we experience lead heaviness in our legs after a long day at work. The human blood supply system is designed so that blood is pushed out by the heart and moves through the arteries under pressure.It returns back through the veins, overcoming the force of gravity

Rhythmic and regular muscle contraction ensures correct blood circulation. If the muscles contract a little and rarely (or, conversely, strongly, but statically), then venous congestion occurs in the lower extremities.

If a person at work spends all day on their feet, then his muscles do not provide a sufficient number of contractions. However, there is nothing useful in sedentary work – in this case, the venous vessels of the legs are in a pinched state all day.

Gediminas Vaitenas. Photo – lsveikata.lt.

This is what the vascular surgeon Gediminas Vaitenas says: “The heaviness in the legs and other symptoms that I will mention can be due to many reasons. And this is not necessarily some kind of disease. Most often, people get worse in the summer, during the hot season. People who are overweight develop symptoms, although there may not be some objective reason for this. Pregnant women often face this problem.

And as for diseases, that is, diseases of the veins.And most often people complain of symptoms such as swelling of the legs, aching pain if they stay on their feet longer, cramps and itching in the legs. This most often happens with warming air, and also, for example, at the end of the day. Especially if the person has a standing job.

In such cases, it is very helpful to raise your legs higher. It relieves symptoms very well. They are also special exercises, when the feet move up and down, then it becomes easier for the veins to move blood, and this also relieves pain in the legs.So people who feel heaviness in their legs – it would be good for them to do exercises from time to time. Sit down for at least a few minutes, raise your legs and let them rest. And then it will be much better ”.

So, venous insufficiency lies in wait for those who are overweight, lead a passive lifestyle or are exposed to prolonged static stress. This means that in the high-risk group there are teachers, salespeople, hairdressers, surgeons and all those whose work requires a long stay in an upright position.Here – and people of “sedentary” specialties (cashiers, accountants – and even students). The danger lies in wait for managers, who often have to travel on business trips (especially by airplanes).

What to do?

“If there is no specific reason why this could be so, then you can go in for sports, and do everything, and even this may make you feel better. But if there is a so-called venous disease – varicose veins or deep vein disease, then salvation is already not just in physical exercises, but in raising the legs.Or there is another option – but if it has already been revealed that a person has vein disease – this is compression therapy. These are special stockings that squeeze the legs, squeeze the veins – and due to this, improvement occurs. But those people who use these stockings, most often already know that they have vein diseases, and they wear these socks from morning to evening.

But in general, if there are all these symptoms that I talked about earlier – swelling of the legs, aching pain, cramps, itching, etc. – it would be nice to visit a doctor, a vascular surgeon.Then the person will know what the problem is. The doctor will explain what will happen if nothing is done, and will advise compression therapy. Often all these problems can be solved by various invasive methods. Thanks to them, these problems disappear in the future and there is no need for compression or any other therapy. The aesthetic effect is also important, when such ugly veins no longer remain on the legs, ”says vascular surgeon Gediminas Vaitenas .

To slow down the development of varicose veins, as early as the 17th century, doctors began to use compression stockings.Since then, therapies have become more sophisticated. However, elastic knitwear is still used both for prophylaxis and during the treatment of altered veins.

Compression jersey fits the legs. Thanks to this, the vessels do not expand too much, and the edema decreases. For the first time, doctors began to bandage their legs in ancient Egypt and Rome. These methods were gradually improved. After the advent of stockings, they began to be used for medical purposes.

Several types of knitwear are currently used, depending on the severity of the symptoms.Therefore, it usually cannot be used without a prescription. Only prophylactic products are suitable for wearing without consulting a doctor.

Elastic underwear is indispensable for the prevention of varicose veins, and also helps patients recover faster after vein surgery.

Surgical therapy is usually applied starting from the second stage of varicose veins, when the protruding veins in the legs are already visible visually. Veins are removed with surgical instruments, sclerosant drugs or with a cold laser.

Varicose veins respond best to treatment in the initial stages, when the main symptoms, in addition to heaviness in the legs, are edema that appears from time to time, slight itching and burning. And in order to exclude yourself from the risk group, doctors strongly recommend changing your lifestyle – walking more, playing sports, eating right. It is quite difficult to completely get rid of varicose veins, if it has already been diagnosed, so that in this case it is easier to prevent than to cure.

Sources here, here and here.

90,000 Heaviness in the legs, causes and treatment

It is necessary to distinguish physiological heaviness in the legs from pathological. Discomfort and fatigue of the legs in a healthy person is caused by a sedentary lifestyle, excessive physical exertion, obesity, taking certain medications, wearing uncomfortable shoes, stress, emotional experiences, and poor ecology.

Discomfort and pain in the legs cause various diseases, more often these are pathologies of the lower extremities: atherosclerosis, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, neuropathy, ischemia, chronic venous insufficiency.Due to circulatory disorders, the peripheral nerves experience oxygen deprivation, which will result in leg edema, movement and sensory disorders.

Symptoms of heaviness in the legs can be a manifestation of other diseases. These include:

• Kidney disease. Chronic renal failure, immunoinflammatory lesion of the renal glomeruli, glomerulosclerosis begin with complaints of fatigue and heaviness in the extremities, swelling of the legs, pressure drops.
• Diseases of the spine. With osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, back pain, radiating to the lower extremities, worries, it is difficult for a person to walk, get up, sit. With the development of pathology, sensitivity in the legs decreases, vegetative-trophic disorders occur, and muscle reflexes are disturbed.
• Heart failure, cardiomyopathy, stenosis, occurs with the loss of the usual mobility of the lower extremities, changes in the appearance of the joint, and tired legs syndrome.Specific symptoms include pain in the region of the heart, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and fainting.
• Diseases of the joints. Arthritis and arthrosis of the lower extremities are characterized by pain when walking, stiffness, swelling, deformity of the foot and fingers. Movements are accompanied by crunching, clicking, the skin over the affected joint is burgundy or red, hot to the touch.
• Blood diseases. Severity in the lower extremities, subcutaneous hematomas, bleeding from the nose, kidneys, gums, stomach – signs of hemophilia, anemia, leukemia.

Speaking about the problem of heaviness in the legs, it is necessary to take into account flat feet, clubfoot, old age, infections, menopause in women, trauma, burns, postoperative rehabilitation, diabetes mellitus. There is heaviness in the legs and during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, under the pressure of excess weight.

90,000 Feeling of fullness, heaviness in the legs

Feeling of fullness, heaviness in the legs

Feeling of fullness and heaviness in the legs develop with the accumulation of fluid and stagnation of blood in the lower extremities.

Causes and factors of occurrence

Heaviness in the legs and a feeling of fullness most often occur with weakness of the veins of the lower extremities. Indeed, blood moves through the veins under the action of the contraction of the surrounding muscles and overcoming the force of gravity. If the walls of the veins are not elastic enough, then the blood begins to stagnate. Another factor in the occurrence of heaviness and distention in the legs is the formation of edema in the soft tissues. When the circulatory and lymphatic systems do not cope with their functions, the liquid part of the blood begins to sweat into the tissue and accumulate there. Under the influence of gravity, this fluid accumulates in the area of ​​the legs, since it is the legs that are most of the time at the lowest point of the body.

The main causes of heaviness and distention in the legs are:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• female affiliation;
• long standing due to professional activity;
• overweight;
• heart disease;
• vascular pathology;
• impaired renal function;
• diseases of the spine;
• pathological changes in the area of ​​the joints of the legs;
• diabetes mellitus;
• flat feet;
• pregnancy;
• use of certain medications;
• hormonal disorders;
• Frequent use of high-heeled shoes;
• high ambient temperature, hot climate.

Classification and characteristics

Chronic venous insufficiency, leading to a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the legs, is divided into several degrees:

• zero – when there are no manifestations of pathology;
• the first – with the appearance of moderate manifestations in the form of a feeling of heaviness, bloating, cramps at night, transient edema of the legs;
• the second – when the swelling of the lower extremities becomes persistent, changes appear on the skin;
• the third – in the event of trophic changes in the form of ulcers on the skin of the lower extremities.

Feeling of heaviness and fullness in the legs may be accompanied by:

• pain in the lower extremities;

90,098 swelling of the legs;

• gait disturbance;

90,098 Difficulty wearing shoes;

• cramps of the calf muscles;
• The appearance of varicose veins and spider veins on the skin of the legs.

Which diseases occur

Heaviness and a feeling of fullness in the area of ​​the lower extremities can occur with the following diseases:

90,097

90,098 pericarditis;

90,098 bursitis;

90,098 arthritis;

90,098 osteoarthritis;

injury.

Which doctors should be consulted

If you experience a feeling of heaviness and fullness in your legs, you should first of all consult a therapist. In the future, you may need to consult a cardiologist, phlebologist, nephrologist, rheumatologist.

Swelling of the legs, feeling of heaviness in the legs or cramps at night. What to do?

Tired legs after a hard day’s work or long walking is not unusual, but it is worth worrying if the feeling of heaviness and tiredness in the legs appears frequently.It is necessary to sound the alarm if the legs are swollen, cramps appear at night, or a reinforced venous mesh is visible on the legs. Mild symptoms of leg diseases, for example, an increased capillary network on the legs, are diagnosed in up to 80% of patients. Every fifth inhabitant of Latvia faces serious vein diseases. How to recognize venous disease and how to restore healthy and beautiful legs, says Georges abur, phlebologist of the Baltic Vein Clinic, branch of “Veselības centrs 4”.

How does venous disease develop?

A phlebologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats diseases of the veins and lymph drainage.The most common disease with which patients go to the doctor is varicose veins or dilated veins, when due to poor elasticity of blood vessels and problems with blood circulation, the full flow of blood from the legs to the heart is impaired. As varicose veins develop, the veins expand more and more, veins protruding, venous nodes appear, and a mesh of veins is visible on the legs.

If you notice symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor, because as the disease progresses, the veins become inflamed, dermatitis and eczema may form, the risk of blood stagnation and thrombosis increases, and in 1-3% of cases, trophic ulcers form on the legs.

The most typical symptoms of leg vein diseases:

• fatigue, feeling of heaviness in the legs;
• leg swelling;
• seizures
• Strengthened venous and capillary networks, nodes or protruding veins are visible on the legs;
• dermatitis, eczema (pruritus) and trophic ulcers on the legs.

Risk factors for diseases of veins in the legs

Diseases of veins and their manifestations often progress with age, under the influence of the natural aging process, the tissues and walls of the veins weaken, therefore the risk of disease increases significantly in middle-aged people and the elderly.Vein diseases are more common in women than in men. Heredity is also of great importance – you should be especially careful if relatives of the first degree, for example, mother and father, have been diagnosed with venous disease.

What else can contribute to the progression of venous disease?

• Seated and standing work, when a person spends many hours in one position;
• Prolonged stay in rooms with high temperatures, baths, baths;
• Cancer diseases;
• Diseases affecting abdominal pressure – constipation, diseases of the prostate and lungs;
• Excessive sports and heavy lifting;
• Pregnancy;
• Taking hormonal contraception.

Important! Particular precautions should be taken by pregnant women, because as a result of hormonal changes occurring in the body during pregnancy, the walls of the veins become weaker, and there is a particularly high risk of developing varicose veins. After consulting a doctor, pregnant women are often advised to wear compression stockings. It should also be borne in mind that with each subsequent pregnancy, the risk of varicose veins increases, so a visit to a phlebologist should be planned.

Diagnostics

A timely diagnosis of venous diseases facilitates treatment, and in most cases the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis already during the first consultation.During the first visit, the doctor collects anamnesis – information about complaints, level of physical activity, job specifics and lifestyle, and also assesses the influence of heredity. There is also a visual examination of the veins of the legs and duplex sonography of the veins, which is considered the gold standard in the study of veins.

Sometimes additional tests are required to clarify the diagnosis, for example, computed tomographic angiography or CT (computed tomography) phlebography, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), or in very rare cases, invasive injection of contrast medium into a vein.Another important but invasive diagnostic method, which is relatively rarely used in Latvia due to its high cost and lack of equipment, is intravascular ultrasound of the pelvis and vena cava (IVUS).

How veins are treated:

Many patients are in no hurry to consult a doctor because of the fear of the operation. However, in modern medicine, preference is given to gentle methods, for example, endovenous procedures, which are carried out using a small needle – a catheter from the inside of a vein.These operations are usually performed in a day hospital and the patient can go home the same day.

Modern medicine offers a number of treatment options for venous diseases, and it is important, together with a doctor, to choose one that suits both the form and severity of the patient’s disease (vein anatomy) and financial possibilities.

VC4 is now the only medical institution in Latvia offering patients the possibilities of phlebology and the widest world-class treatment in Riga and Daugavpils.

Nowadays the most modern methods of treating vein diseases are:

• Endovenous laser surgery – using the latest generation laser with a length of 1940, it is very precise, gentle on the surrounding tissues, it affects mainly the walls of problem veins;
• Radiofrequency method – closure of a vein from the inside using heat treatment and a radiofrequency catheter;
• Steam micro-pulse method – thermal method with steam pulses;
• Closure of veins with biological glue is the newest and most gentle method of treatment, which is currently available only to VC4 patients in Latvia. Unlike other methods, in which a thermal effect on the vein wall occurs in order to purposefully cause its damage and close it, with the biological glue technique, the operation is performed without the influence of heat, therefore it is more gentle both for the surrounding tissues and for the nerves. This is especially important when performing manipulations on the lower leg due to the close location of the nerve and vein. Anesthesia – anesthesia is done on a very small surface, and the drug (glue) is injected directly into the problem vein with a small catheter.After this procedure, it is not required to wear compression stockings, and this manipulation lasts 10-15 minutes for one leg.

Now any endovenous manipulations and operations are carried out under the control of sonography, which means that the doctor can see exactly which vein is being accessed on the computer screen. This means very high precision and a guarantee of the result. Women especially appreciate that gentle endovenous leg surgeries do not leave scars. For more information on the methods of vein treatment, click here

What to do to prevent the strengthening of the veins?

• Exercise regularly – recommended moderate aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes every day;
• Maintain a normal body weight;
• Avoid prolonged sitting and standing – if you spend your working day in the office at the computer, find a reason to move for 10 minutes every hour, for example, go for a drink. Those with a standing job should consider wearing compression stockings;
• After consulting your doctor, you can also take vitamins to strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• During pregnancy, it is recommended to take special care of the health of the veins, wearing compression stockings;
• Avoid frequent wearing of uncomfortable shoes and high heels.

Careful when choosing compression stockings! Sometimes it is recommended to wear compression stockings in case of vein diseases, however, as with shoes or clothing, compression stockings have a very large selection of sizes.It is important to make the right choice of product in the laboratory under the supervision of a specialist. It is difficult for a patient with no experience in making changes to choose the correct size. If the compression stockings are large, they do not fulfill their function, and if they are too small, they act as a tourniquet, causing discomfort and discomfort when worn.

Make an appointment with a doctor
Phone 67 847200
Veselības Centrs 4 branch Baltic Vein Clinic
www.venas.lv

Get rid of varicose veins | KGBUZ “Vladivostok Clinical Hospital No. 4”

In the modern medical world, any diagnosis must be confirmed by certain studies. To make the diagnosis “Varicose veins of the lower extremities”, two components are necessary: ​​examination by a specialist and ultrasound of the veins of the lower extremities (duplex, triplex scanning). The “gold standard” in the diagnosis of varicose veins of the lower extremities, according to the latest European and Russian recommendations, is precisely the duplex scanning of the veins of the lower extremities.It should be considered optimal that this study is performed by the phlebologist himself, who will carry out the subsequent operation. This is due to the fact that the phlebologist looks at the ultrasound picture not only as a diagnostician. His surgical experience allows him to make the necessary emphasis on the anatomical features that are important in performing surgery, to consider tactics depending on the circumstances veiled by the standards of the description protocol.

At the initial stages of the disease, the doctor prescribes the patient to receive phlebotonics, wearing compression hosiery.Physical activity should be normalized. These activities, as a rule, lead to a decrease in the severity of symptoms. But conservative treatment does not always give the desired effect. If the disease progresses, you should not give up more effective radical measures.

A procedure to eliminate unaesthetic venous “stars”. Sclerotherapy takes only 5-15 minutes and consists in the fact that a drug is injected into the vessel with the help of an injection, gluing the venous walls together. Over time, “stars” and small tributaries dissolve. The procedure is effective and safe. At the same time, its implementation is limited by the diameter of the treated veins. Large veins are prone to recanalization, which makes it necessary to turn to surgical treatment.

In the case of incorrect operation of the valves of the superficial veins, the pressure in the venous network rises sharply, which causes the formation of large nodes (varix) that rise above the skin surface.They can even be identified using a routine visual inspection. Adequately assess the depth of the process – with duplex scanning. In this case, the only effective treatment is surgery.

In modern medicine, a lot of innovative techniques are used that allow you to achieve an amazing result in the shortest possible time: Any type of intervention should be carried out by experienced specialists who are thoroughly familiar with the capabilities and subtleties of individual techniques, having high-quality equipment and consumables. We use only the most modern technologies, some of which are unique for Vladivostok at the current stage.

EVLK – endovasal laser coagulation – today it is the gold standard for the treatment of varicose veins.

Endovasal embolization of varicose veins with the Venasil system – sealing the vessel with a special biological cyanoacrylate compound.

90,000 Swelling and Severity

One of the common reasons for visiting a phlebologist or surgeon is leg edema.A slight swelling of the feet at the end of the day worries few people, but if the shoes become tight and clothing marks leave deep “imprints” in the ankle area, it is difficult not to pay attention to it. Edema is not a specific symptom and occurs in many functional and pathological conditions, for example, heart disease, kidney disease, hormonal disorders, and allergic reactions. These conditions are characterized by bilateral edema (symmetrical).

As a rule, “venous” edema includes edema, more pronounced on one leg (asymmetric), appearing by the end of the day, a feeling of heaviness and fatigue in the legs, less often – pain in the lower leg.Edema often accompanies nocturnal cramps. Swollen legs with varicose veins are an alarming situation and indicate serious circulatory disorders. In older people, there are combined edema: edema of both legs due to heart failure with its intensification in the leg with varicose veins. Edema of the lower extremities may precede the appearance of varicose veins, and ultrasound reveals valve failure of the main saphenous veins.

Varicose veins with lesions of the saphenous veins often cause swelling of the lower leg and foot.Deep vein thrombosis and thrombophlebitis of superficial veins in the popliteal region and thigh lead to swelling of the entire leg, the difference in the circumferences of the “sick” and “healthy” legs is several centimeters. This is already a dangerous condition requiring immediate hospitalization. Persistent edema of the foot and lower leg can be with selective or predominant damage to the lymphatic vessels of the lower extremity – lymphedema. The basis of the mechanism of edema formation is the slowing down of venous blood flow and fluid retention in soft tissues.Long-term disorders that are observed in varicose veins trigger inflammatory processes that increase tissue metabolism disorders, edema becomes longer and more persistent, accompanied by compaction of subcutaneous fat, changes and damage to the skin up to trophic ulcers.

Help with leg edema is primarily aimed at restoring normal blood circulation in the lower extremities. This requires diagnostics, including, in addition to examining a phlebologist surgeon, ultrasound duplex or triplex scanning of the veins of the lower extremities.Only by establishing the characteristics of blood flow in the lower extremities, it is possible to carry out adequate and effective treatment. In the case of revealing, for example, varicose veins with expansion of superficial veins and insufficient function of their valves, treatment is primarily aimed at eliminating the violation of venous blood flow. It includes, depending on the results of the examination, non-surgical (sclerotherapy, compression therapy, drug treatment, etc.) and / or modern surgical methods (EVLO, RFA, miniflebectomy, etc.)), their combinations, which, with rare exceptions, are carried out on an outpatient basis (without hospitalization), at a time convenient for the patient and, as a rule, do not require interruption of work and daily activities.

One of the common reasons for visiting a phlebologist or surgeon is leg edema. A slight swelling of the feet at the end of the day worries few people, but if the shoes become tight and clothing marks leave deep “imprints” in the ankle area, it is difficult not to pay attention to it.Edema is not a specific symptom and occurs in many functional and pathological conditions, for example, heart disease, kidney disease, hormonal disorders, and allergic reactions. These conditions are characterized by bilateral edema (symmetrical).

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