Why do my feet hurt when I wake up and walk. What causes foot pain in the morning. How can I alleviate morning foot discomfort. When should I see a doctor for foot pain.

Common Causes of Morning Foot Pain

Waking up with foot pain can be a frustrating and uncomfortable way to start your day. Various conditions can lead to this discomfort, each affecting different parts of the foot. Understanding the cause of your pain is crucial for effective treatment and management.

Plantar Fasciitis: The Most Common Culprit

Plantar fasciitis is the most frequent cause of heel pain in the morning. It typically manifests as a sharp pain on the inner aspect of the heel bone, on the underside of the foot. How does plantar fasciitis pain behave? The discomfort is usually worst upon taking the first steps in the morning and often improves within 10-15 steps. However, in severe cases, the pain may persist for 10-15 minutes.

Interestingly, while physical activity can temporarily alleviate the pain, it often returns with increased intensity the following morning. It’s important to note that plantar fasciitis can also cause pain in the middle of the foot during those initial morning steps.

Insertional Achilles Tendonitis: Back-of-Heel Pain

When the pain is localized around the back of the heel bone in the morning, insertional Achilles tendonitis is often the cause. This condition affects the point where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bottom of the heel bone. Unlike mid-portion Achilles tendonitis, which causes pain in the middle of the tendon, insertional Achilles tendonitis is characterized by pain directly on the heel bone.

How quickly does the pain from insertional Achilles tendonitis subside? Typically, the discomfort eases within the first few steps of walking. This pattern of quick relief can help distinguish it from other conditions.

Understanding Foot Pain in Different Locations

The location of your foot pain can provide valuable clues about its underlying cause. Let’s explore some common pain locations and their associated conditions.

Outer Foot Pain: Peroneal Tendonitis

Pain in the outer foot upon waking is often attributed to peroneal tendonitis. The peroneal tendons run along the outside of the foot and can become overloaded due to sudden increases in activity or changes in footwear. What are the classic symptoms of peroneal tendonitis? Patients typically experience pain on the outer ankle first thing in the morning or when walking after extended periods of sitting. While symptoms may improve with activity, they often worsen again the following morning.

Inner Foot Pain: Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

Posterior tibial tendonitis is a common cause of pain in the medial arch of the foot, which can sometimes be mistaken for plantar fasciitis. In addition to medial arch pain, individuals may experience discomfort along the inner ankle bone. How does posterior tibial tendonitis affect movement? It often makes activities like hopping, walking on uneven surfaces, or running painful, with symptoms worsening the following morning. Like other tendon-related issues, the pain is typically worst upon waking and walking, but eases within a few steps.

Midfoot and Forefoot Pain: Less Common Causes

While heel and arch pain are more frequent, some individuals experience discomfort in the middle or front of the foot upon waking. These cases often have unique underlying causes.

Peroneal Longus Tendinopathy

An uncommon cause of pain on the underside of the midfoot is peroneal longus tendinopathy. The peroneal longus is one of three peroneal tendons that assist with turning the foot outwards and pointing it downwards. When overloaded, it can cause pain on the side of the foot or in the middle of its underside.

Flexor Hallucis Tendinopathy

This condition affects the flexor hallucis tendon, which assists with the flexion of the big toe joint. It’s particularly common among ballet dancers and athletes involved in sports with frequent hopping. Where else might pain be felt with this condition? In addition to midfoot discomfort, pain may also be present on the inner ankle where the tendon attaches.

Midfoot Arthritis

Midfoot arthritis can cause vague pain across the midfoot in the morning that typically eases within a few steps or when wearing cushioned footwear. How does physical activity affect midfoot arthritis? Morning stiffness is often worse following days of increased physical activity, but the pain tends to ease with non-weight-bearing activities.

Forefoot Pain: Morton’s Neuroma and Hallux Rigidus

Two conditions commonly associated with forefoot pain in the morning are Morton’s neuroma and hallux rigidus.

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma involves inflammation of the interdigital nerves in the forefoot. How do patients describe the symptoms of Morton’s neuroma? Many liken the sensation to a burning feeling or the presence of a pebble in their shoe. Sharp pain in the forefoot upon waking is also common.

Hallux Rigidus

Hallux rigidus, or big toe joint arthritis, can cause pain and stiffness first thing in the morning. What are the typical signs of hallux rigidus? The pain is localized in the big toe joint, often accompanied by reduced range of motion. The joint may appear red or inflamed after walking.

Diagnosing and Treating Morning Foot Pain

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of morning foot pain. While the information provided here can help you understand potential causes, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While many cases of morning foot pain can be managed with conservative treatments, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. When should you see a doctor for foot pain? Consider seeking medical help if you experience:

• Severe pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter pain relievers
• Swelling, redness, or warmth in the affected area
• Difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot
• Pain accompanied by fever or chills
• Any sudden, unexplained foot pain

Treatment Options

Treatment for morning foot pain varies depending on the underlying cause but often includes a combination of the following:

1. Rest and activity modification
2. Ice or heat therapy
3. Stretching and strengthening exercises
4. Proper footwear and orthotics
5. Over-the-counter pain medications
6. Physical therapy
7. In some cases, corticosteroid injections or other medical interventions

Preventing Morning Foot Pain

While not all cases of morning foot pain can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and manage existing conditions.

Proper Footwear

Wearing shoes that provide adequate support and cushioning is crucial for foot health. How can you ensure you’re wearing the right shoes? Look for footwear that fits well, offers good arch support, and has a cushioned sole. Avoid going barefoot for extended periods, especially on hard surfaces.

Stretching and Exercise

Regular stretching and strengthening exercises can help prevent many foot conditions. What are some effective foot exercises? Consider incorporating the following into your routine:

• Toe curls and spreads
• Ankle rotations
• Calf stretches
• Plantar fascia stretches
• Foot rolling exercises using a tennis ball or similar object

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Excess body weight puts additional stress on your feet. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and regular exercise can help reduce the risk of foot pain and other related issues.

The Role of Sleep Posture in Foot Pain

Your sleeping position can sometimes contribute to morning foot pain. How does sleep posture affect foot health? Certain positions, such as sleeping with your feet pointed downward, can lead to shortened muscles and increased tension in the feet and calves.

Tips for Better Sleep Posture

To minimize the risk of foot pain related to sleep posture, consider the following tips:

• Use a pillow to keep your feet in a neutral position
• Avoid tucking your sheets in too tightly at the foot of the bed
• Try sleeping on your back with your feet slightly elevated
• If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs to keep your hips aligned

The Importance of Proper Foot Care

Maintaining good foot hygiene and overall foot health is crucial in preventing and managing various foot conditions that can lead to morning pain.

Daily Foot Care Routine

What should a daily foot care routine include? Consider incorporating these practices:

• Wash your feet daily with warm water and mild soap
• Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes
• Apply moisturizer to prevent dry, cracked skin
• Trim toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails
• Inspect your feet regularly for any changes or signs of injury

The Benefits of Foot Massage

Regular foot massages can help improve circulation, reduce tension, and alleviate pain. How can you incorporate foot massage into your routine? Consider using a massage ball or rolling pin to gently massage the soles of your feet for a few minutes each day. You can also try self-massage techniques using your hands.

Understanding the causes of morning foot pain and taking proactive steps to prevent and manage it can significantly improve your overall foot health and quality of life. Remember, while this information provides a comprehensive overview, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment.

My Feet Hurt When I Wake Up and Walk: Learn Why?

Several conditions can cause foot pain when you wake up in the morning, but each condition has a slightly different location and pattern of pain. We will explain each of these in summary throughout this article with links to more in-depth articles that you can explore, including pages on exercises to alleviate each condition. 

My Feet Hurt When I Wake Up and Walk

Outer Foot in the Morning

If you have pain in your outer foot when you wake up, it can be the result of Peroneal Tendonitis. The peroneal tendons run along the outside of the foot and if they become overloaded through a sudden increase in activity levels or changes in footwear, they can become tendinopathic. The classic symptoms of Peroneal Tendonitis include pain on the outer ankle first thing in the morning or when walking after long periods of sitting. Symptoms often improve with activity but are worse the following morning. 

Back of the Foot in the Morning

Pain around the back of the heel bone first thing in the morning is most often caused by Insertional Achilles Tendonitis. The Achilles Tendon runs along the back of the heel and attaches to the very bottom of the heel bone. Unlike the more Achilles Tendonitis, which causes pain in the middle of the Achilles Tendon, Insertional Achilles Tendonitis is painful on the heel bone. It is associated with pain first thing in the morning that eases within the first few steps when walking. 

We have articles on the best exercises for Insertional Achilles Tendonitis and the best Shoes for Insertional Achilles Tendonitis. 

Inner Foot Pain in the Morning

Posterior Tibial Tendonitis is a common cause of pain in the medial arch that can be misdiagnosed as Plantar Fasciitis. Along with pain on the medial arch of the foot, there may also be pain along the inner ankle bone. It is often painful to hop, walk on uneven surfaces or run and worse the following morning. It is painful when you wake up and walk in the morning, and it eases within a few steps. 

We have articles on exercises, shoes and insoles for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis.  

Heel Pain in the Morning

The most common cause of heel pain first thing in the morning is Plantar Fasciitis, where the pain is usually located on the inner aspect of the heel bone on the underside of the foot. Pain is often worse in the morning and improves within 10-15 steps; however, severe cases may last 10-15 minutes. Pain can improve with physical activity but is often worse the following morning. It is important to remember that Plantar Fasciitis can also cause pain in the middle of the foot first thing in the morning. 

Strengthening exercises, stretches, insoles, and the correct footwear are the best treatment for this condition. 

Midfoot Pain in the Morning

An uncommon cause of pain on the underside of the midfoot is Peroneal Longus Tendinopathy. There are 3 Peroneal Tendons all assisting with turning the foot outwards and the Peroneal Longus also assists with pointing the foot downwards as it attaches to the base of the 1st metatarsal. If the Peroneal Longus becomes overloaded, it can cause pain on the side of the foot or on the middle of the underside of the foot. 

Flexor Hallucis Tendinopathy is a condition affecting the Flexor Hallucis Tendon, which assists with the flexion of the big toe joint. It is a common condition that affects ballet dancers and sports that involve a lot of hopping. Pain can also be located on the inner ankle where the tendon attaches. Treatment is in the form of strengthening exercises and the correct footwear. 

Midfoot arthritis can cause vague pain across the midfoot in the morning when you wake up that eases within a few steps or when you wear cushioned trainers. Morning stiffness can be worse the morning after a physically active day, and we would expect the pain to ease with non-weight-bearing activities. 

Forefoot Pain in the Morning

Morton’s Neuroma is a condition causing inflammation of the interdigital nerves of the forefoot. Patients describe symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma as a burning sensation or as if there is a pebble in their shoe. There may be a sharp pain in the forefoot first thing in the morning. 

Big Toe Joint arthritis can cause pain first thing in the morning, and this condition is known as Hallux Rigidus. A typical presentation of arthritis is stiffness first thing in the morning that eases within a few minutes of walking. The pain is located in the joint of the big toe, and it is common to have a reduced range of motion within the joint that can be red or inflamed after walking.

Physiotherapy with James McCormack

This is not medical advice. We recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack. He offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments.

How To Relieve Foot Pain At Night: 13 Tips

Getting a full, restorative night of sleep is something we take for granted, that is, until foot pain at night keeps us tossing and turning. Our feet work hard to support us every day, with little reward or attention until something goes wrong. When you begin to experience foot pain after lying down, here are our tips to relieve foot pain at night.

What causes foot pain at night?

We might be used to foot pain after a long hike or a grueling day on our feet, but there are other foot pain causes that aren’t necessarily connected to these common events. Foot pain can occur in anyone at any age. Child foot pain at night, in particular, can be especially challenging.

Here are the most common causes of foot pain, in adults and children alike.

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a long band of connective tissue that stretches from your heel to the ball of the foot. It provides stability for walking and support for the arch of your foot. When the plantar fascia is injured due to overuse (or improper use), inflammation and tightness can cause tremendous foot pain at night.

This condition is known as plantar fasciitis. During the night, your plantar fascia may shorten as the toes point in sleep, making the first step in the morning excruciating. This pain generally gets better for a short period as the day continues, but after a full day of movement the pain flares up, resulting in foot pain at night.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

When the foot is injured, swelling and pain are the body’s reflexive, protective response. This tells you something is wrong so that you slow down and care for the injury.

However, sometimes the body takes it too far, offering an abnormal nerve response with excessive swelling, pain, and even temperature changes. The nerves of the foot are essentially hyperactive in their response. This can lead to very sensitive feet that experience painful sensations even with the slightest touch.

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy involves pain in the nerves reaching towards the extremities. An injury the sciatic nerve, for example, can cause pain all the way down to the feet (where the nerve ends).

Other causes of this type of pain include poorly controlled diabetes (both types I and II), infections, and vitamin deficiencies.

Chronic overconsumption of alcohol

Overconsumption of alcohol leads to poor circulation in the body and a condition called alcoholic neuropathy.

In addition to foot pain at night, symptoms of this condition may also include:

• Burning sensation in the feet
• Muscle spasms
• Loss of muscle control or weakness

Morton’s neuroma

Affecting more men than women, Morton’s neuroma is the thickening of the nerves surrounding the toes—most often the third and fourth toes.

People with this condition experience burning, tingling, and cramping, all of which worsen at night.

Pinched nerves

Pinched nerves in the legs, hips, back, and feet can cause excessive foot pain at night.

In some cases, this occurs as a result of sleeping position. Minor adjustments can go a long way towards relieving this type of pain. In others, the pinched nerve becomes damaged due to injury or other trauma and must be treated to provide relief.

Restless leg syndrome

Those with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, low iron, and kidney failure may be familiar with restless leg syndrome that leads to nighttime foot pain.

With this condition, a dopamine imbalance confuses the nerves responsible for sending signals to the brain. More than just legs that cannot seem to be still, this syndrome also comes with burning, tingling, numbness, and pain after lying down. These symptoms occur from the waist down, including the feet.

Bunions

Bunions are hard deposits of bone on the side of the foot just below the big toe or pinkie toe joint (sometimes both). Left untreated, bunions can result in toe pain at night that feels like a stabbing pain sideways through the foot.

Swelling, stiffness in the morning, and soreness at the affected toe joint are also common.

Child foot pain at night: growing pains

The most common cause of child foot pain at night (and one that can wake your children from sleep) is growing pains. Most people assume that growing pains are caused by spurts of growth in the bones that outpace muscles, tendons, and ligaments, but bones grow at an approximately even pace throughout development.

In many cases, growing pains are actually caused by other mechanical issues, such as:

• Gait imbalances
• Structural issues (i.e., being knock-kneed or pigeon-toed)
• Poor posture
• Flat feet or feet that point outwards
• Fatigue

All of these can lead to what feels like shooting, stabbing pains in the feet at night. Typically, growing pains are more severe at night and ease with activity.

When should I see a doctor for foot pain at night?

As stated above, occasional foot pain at night due to a long day or a grueling hike might result in sore muscles all over the body, including the feet. This type pain is nothing to be concerned about and should pass quickly.

However, you should consider seeing a doctor for foot pain at night if your foot pain:

• Is not related to abnormal exertion
• Persists for more than a night or two
• Begins to worsen
• Begins to change or move further into the body (i. e., calf pain or knee pain occurs, too)
• Impacts your mobility during the day
• Is accompanied by visible redness or swelling that is unrelieved by comfort measures (e.g., rest, ice, elevation, and over-the-counter medications)

Foot pain that lasts longer than a couple days is not always a cause for alarm, but it’s best to get it checked out just in case.

How to relieve foot pain at night

The best way to ease foot pain at night is to develop a toolkit of therapies that address the root cause of foot pain while relieving symptoms so you can get a full night’s rest.

Here are our tips for relieving your nighttime foot pain. Always discuss the best course of treatment with your doctor.

1. Start with a proper diagnosis

Successful treatment depends on a proper diagnosis of the cause of your pain. If you simply treat symptoms without addressing the underlying cause, you will continue to experience worsening symptoms (and may cause permanent damage).

2. Rest

Sometimes foot pain at night is a result of a pain condition that worsens with activity during the day.

If you can, takes some time off of your feet, resting those hardworking muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

3. Apply ice

Ice is a magical, free treatment that can ease pain and swelling and provide comfort to feet that ache at the end of the day.

If your feet are red, swollen, or painful to touch, apply ice on a 20-minutes-on, 20-minutes-off schedule for a couple of hours, elevating your feet if possible as you ice.

4. Consider over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

When taken correctly, NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium ease pain and reduce swelling. Talk to your doctor about taking NSAIDs before bed to ease your nighttime foot pain.

5. Check your mattress

Sometimes pinched nerves and nerve pain come down to your mattress. Too soft and your body collapses in on itself at night. Too hard and you cannot find a comfortable release into sleep.

You want a mattress that is just right, offering firm support that is also soft and comfortable. Shop for a mattress with a return policy that allows you to test it out and return it if it’s not right for you.

6. Wear a nighttime splint

One of the key treatments for foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis is a nighttime splint.

This keeps the foot in a flexed position so that the plantar fascia does not contract at night. A contracted plantar fascia can mean an incredibly painful first step in the morning. The splint helps maintain the natural length of this crucial tendon.

7. Try yoga

Our feet contain 25% of the bones in our body, have over 30 joints, and are made up of more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Yoga that focuses on releasing, strengthening, and stretching the feet can help them become more balanced and suppler.

Find a great video of foot yoga, or bring together a few good stretches and massages for the feet on a daily basis.

8. Refine your nighttime routine

Consider revamping your entire nighttime routine to set the scene for a good night of sleep.  Keep your bedroom cool and dark, and reserve it only for intimacy, sleep, and reading before bed.

Develop a consistent nighttime routine that gets your body ready for sleep.

• Drink a relaxing herbal tea (lavender, chamomile, and valerian are all good choices)
• Give your feet some attention before bed by trying yoga for feet at night or self-massage
• Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time, too
• Turn all screens off at least one hour before bedtime

A nighttime routine helps you mark the end of the day and signals your brain to rest. This alone can go a long way towards a better and more healing night of sleep.

9. Explore physical therapy

Physical therapy helps to gently stretch and strengthen the feet, more so than simple exercise on its own. A physical therapist can also conduct a gait analysis to see if there are structural or mechanical issues that are causing your foot pain.

10. Ask about prescription medications

Although opioid therapy is not indicated for most types of chronic foot pain, there are prescription medications that may offer some relief.

For example, pregabalin, gabapentin, and duloxetine are medications that are used to treat nerve pain, including nerve pain in the feet. Depending on the cause of your pain, your doctor may also recommend muscle relaxers.

11. Try TENS unit therapy

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive treatment option that delivers a mild electrical current to replace pain signals to the brain.

While this does not address the underlying cause, it may help you rest as you try other treatments at the same time.

12. Consider injections

An injection of corticosteroids and a local anesthetic can be used to ease inflammation and swelling that leads to foot pain at night. For radiating foot pain that occurs due to sciatica, an epidural steroid injection or a lumbar sympathetic blockade may help ease pain.

13. Look at more interventional treatments

When conservative treatments do not provide relief, you may find that more interventional treatments are necessary. Spinal cord stimulation and other surgical interventions might be necessary to relieve your foot pain at night.

These more advanced procedures should always be done as a last resort, after you’ve attempted other more conservative therapies.

Learn more

At Arizona Pain, our goal is to help you get a good night’s sleep with the most comprehensive treatment approach possible. Our integrated pain management approach incorporates multiple therapies so you can get back up on your feet as soon as possible.

If you experience foot pain at night, schedule an appointment today to discuss all of your options.

Pain in the legs at night – causes, manifestation of symptoms, prevention

It is important to understand

If pain in the legs is found at night, it is necessary to select an individual set of therapeutic exercises, study the technique of their implementation and exclude exercises for contraindications.

With this diagnosis, it is important to regularly attend treatment sessions, complete a full course of treatment in a specialized Center, and in the future you need to maintain your health in a preventive regime on your own.

Urgent help

All videos of therapeutic exercises

Lifestyle, profession, high or low degree of physical activity, especially the state of blood vessels, bones, ligaments, muscle or nerve tissues can provoke pain in the legs at night.

Fatigue, the effects of stress or metabolic disorders, lack of vitamins, the development of diseases are the main causes of an unpleasant condition.

Manifestation of symptoms

Complaints of pain in the legs at night can sound different. Patients use adjectives to describe them – sharp, pulling, aching, intensifying, growing, bursting, twisting, spasmodic, periodic or constant.

Unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities occur in the foot, lower leg, femur. Soreness can be felt in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe joints – the hip, knee, ankle.

When describing a symptom, patients indicate that they experience discomfort in the muscles, inside the bone.

When the legs hurt at night, others are added to the main manifestation. The presence of spider veins, the appearance of venous nodules, tissue edema, redness, cyanosis of the skin make it possible to diagnose a specific disease.

The main reasons why legs ache at night

The list of pathologies or conditions when there is pain in the legs at night is impressive.

It appears in the presence of problems with blood vessels, due to structural features of the limb, neurological causes, changes in the musculoskeletal system, after injuries or the development of infectious processes.

Vascular diseases

Vascular pathologies – varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, phlebitis, atherosclerosis, deep vein thrombosis are a common cause of nocturnal leg pain.

Each of the diseases has its own symptoms, but common signs for the group can be distinguished:

during the day there is a feeling of heaviness, which intensifies in the evening, does not go away after sleep;

the pain is described as drawing, pressing, bursting, aching;

there are pronounced edema in “problem” places, the skin becomes glossy, has a bluish tint;

changes in blood vessels and veins are noticeable on the skin – stars, mesh, knots appear.

The main causes of diseases are hereditary vascular pathologies, infectious processes, obesity, improper diet. Pathological changes are provoked by smoking, alcohol.

Medical and surgical treatment are the main methods of therapy. Anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants, thrombotic drugs are prescribed, physiotherapy is indicated. In difficult cases, an operation is performed – the complete removal of a vein or its sections, sclerotherapy, laser coagulation is used.

Diseases of the spine

When legs hurt at night, the causes of the symptom are often associated with pathological processes in the spine – osteochondrosis, sciatica, changes in bone or connective tissues, the presence of intervertebral hernia, tumor growth. Such processes provoke infringement of the nerves of the legs.

Signs of the disease usually appear abruptly. There are complaints of pain of an acute, tingling nature in the limbs, lower back, which persist at night.

The skin in the pinched area becomes edematous, red. After sleep, the patient hardly gets out of bed, moves. There is increased sweating.

Patients require treatment for the underlying condition causing the pinched nerves.

Complex therapy includes the prescription of several groups of medications, surgery, manual methods and physiotherapy.

Injuries

The most common type of injury to the lower extremities is contusion. In its place, a hematoma appears, the tissues swell, and motor ability is often hindered.

The degree of pain, its duration, time of appearance during the day depends on the characteristics of the injury – the area of ​​location, the degree of tissue damage.

The bones of the legs are susceptible to fractures. Tibia (large and small), femur, heel, patella, phalanges of the fingers are the most vulnerable. To understand that a bone fracture has occurred helps the main symptom – the appearance of severe pain immediately after injury.

The symptom persists for a long time, including at night. The clinical picture is supplemented by an unnatural position of the limb, difficulty in moving it, severe edema, formation of a hematoma or wound.

After X-rays are taken, the bones of the legs are fixed with a splint or cast. If there is a wound, it is treated with antiseptics, and in case of inflammatory processes, drug treatment is prescribed.

In complex cases, an operation is required, which involves the installation of special structures for proper bone fusion.

Avitaminosis, mineral and microelement deficiency

One of the answers to the question “why do my legs hurt at night?” – lack of vitamins, minerals and trace elements in the body. Doctors call signs of such a condition:

constant feeling of fatigue, pain in the legs, cramps at night;

itching, burning sensation in areas of the skin;

the presence of cracks, ulcers, inflammation, age spots, vascular network on the skin of the extremities;

lack of working capacity, general weakness, lethargy.

To restore the balance of vitamins, the body’s metabolic processes require a course of vitamin and mineral preparations. It is prescribed by a doctor.

Body intoxication

A frequent companion of poisoning the body with food or alcohol is pain in the muscles of the legs, aching joints or bones. This phenomenon occurs due to the rapid spread of toxins that enter the internal organs and tissues of a person through the circulatory system.

Other signs of poisoning – diarrhea, vomiting contribute to the intensification of manifestations. In their presence, potassium, calcium, magnesium are quickly and actively excreted from the body.

To restore health, the fastest procedure of intoxication of the body is required. At home, this is a gastric lavage with saline, an enema, drinking plenty of water, taking drugs (sorbents, adsorbents). In case of severe poisoning, medical care is provided in a hospital.

Infections: influenza, osteomyelitis, erysipelas

After infectious diseases, a complication may occur, the main manifestation of which will be pain in the lower extremities.

After the flu, patients suffer from myositis – inflammation of the muscle tissue. It is characterized by strong, growing muscle pain, the inability to step on a sore leg, to walk.

A number of infections are complicated by osteomyelitis. In this disease, an inflammatory lesion of the bone marrow occurs, which passes to the bone tissue, periosteum.

Symptoms of the disease are a sharp increase in temperature, the presence of signs of fever, intoxication. There is a sharp, tearing pain in the leg. The limb tissues swell, become hot, red. The person’s condition is described as critical.

Erysipelatous inflammation of the legs begins with a general malaise, a significant increase in body temperature. The skin feels itchy, burning. Then a red spot appears, which increases in size. This area is swollen and very sore. The focus of inflammation persists for up to two weeks.

Each of the diseases requires diagnostics and comprehensive treatment.

Flat feet

The main symptom of flat feet is a pulling pain in the leg. It appears in the foot, is felt in other places – lower legs, lumbar region, ankles.

At the doctor’s office, patients describe this symptom as permanent. They have seizures that prevent them from falling asleep at night. It becomes difficult for a person to walk, his gait is described as duck-like, swelling appears on his legs.

The diagnosis is confirmed by the results of radiography, established by special tests (plantography, podometry).

To get rid of pain that occurs during the day and at night, the patient is offered to wear orthopedic shoes, perform special exercises.

Physiotherapy, drug therapy are prescribed. For patients with loss of the ability to walk due to the development of flat feet, surgical treatment is required.

Restless legs syndrome

At night, there may be a special condition in which the limbs hurt – restless legs syndrome (RLS). It refers to neurological problems, occurs in middle-aged people.

RLS interferes with proper rest. Instead of sleep, a person begins to involuntarily move his legs, feels unpleasant itching, burning in them. Provoke the state of the disease of the nervous system, circulatory disorders, anemia, beriberi, frequent alcohol consumption.

For treatment, an integrated approach is used – medications, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, psychotherapeutic assistance, folk recipes, homeopathy are prescribed.

Overexertion and stress

It happens that the cause of pain in the legs, which appears during the day or at night, is stress, physical or mental overexertion.

The patient notes that he feels stable fatigue, cannot walk, his bones and muscles hurt. Manifestations are aching, dull in nature.

Consultation of a psychotherapist, physiotherapy, intake of vitamin and mineral complexes, elimination of overstrain and stressful situations, bad habits from life is required.

When do you need medical attention?

Situations when legs hurt a lot at night should not be ignored. The development of diseases can lead to a significant deterioration in health, a long-term decrease in a person’s working capacity, his disability.

An urgent visit to the clinic is necessary in the following cases:

• sudden onset of pain in a limb, persisting for several days;
• stable feeling of weakness in the leg, its numbness, difficulty walking;
• the presence of external tissue changes – edema, tumors, redness.

When making an appointment with a doctor, there are difficulties in choosing a specialist. If there is nighttime pain in the legs, you can take a ticket to the therapist, surgeon, traumatologist, neurologist, phlebologist or orthopedist.

Prevention of pain

Pain in the legs at night has different causes. But for people who have such a symptom, doctors give general preventive recommendations:

it is necessary to timely contact a medical institution for diagnosis, prescribing treatment when a symptom appears;

adjustment of physical activity is required, its alternation with periods of rest;

a gymnastics complex is being developed, daily walking and cycling are used to improve the condition;

physiotherapy, massage are prescribed.

To improve the condition, the diet changes – the transition to healthy food for weight loss, the rejection of bad habits.

Make an appointment with a doctor. The doctor will clarify the diagnosis, conduct myofascial and functional diagnostics, develop an individual treatment program taking into account concomitant diseases.

This is the easiest and fastest way. All you have to do is walk to the nearest
pharmacies, buy and take one of
painkillers such as:

• Naproxen
• Ibuprofen
• Nimesulide
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Restless legs syndrome: what to do if it is difficult to sleep

Likbez

Health

December 30, 2020

Maybe you just don’t have enough iron.

You can listen to the article. If it’s more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

There is evidence that every tenth person suffers from this disorder. Suffering, but silent.

The reason is simple: people simply do not realize that the discomfort in the legs, causing them to twitch, is a common neurological failure that is quite treatable.

What is Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS, aka Willis-Ekbom disease) is a condition that causes itching, tingling, throbbing, burning, or other obsessive sensations in the muscles of the lower extremities. Discomfort is reduced if you move your legs. Therefore, a person who suffers from RLS begins to unconsciously sort out his lower limbs, pull them.

Most often, discomfort occurs during moments of relaxation. This usually happens in the evening or at night. You go to bed and your legs start moving.

Women suffer from restless leg syndrome twice as often as men.

Where does RLS come from, scientists have not really figured it out yet. It is only assumed that discomfort in the legs is associated with an imbalance of dopamine, one of the most important neurotransmitters in the brain involved in controlling muscle movements.

By the way, Parkinson’s disease is also associated with disturbances in the production of dopamine, the most popular symptom of which is twitching limbs. So in a sense, this type of dementia and RLS are “relatives.”

Why RLS is dangerous

Restless legs syndrome is rarely associated with any serious medical problem. Most of the time, it just won’t let you sleep. You move your feet, turn around, you can not fully relax. As a result, you feel sleepy and tired during the day.

Chronic sleep deprivation due to restless leg syndrome can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome or depression.

Chronic drowsiness itself is another gift. Because of this, you lose productivity, you do not have enough energy for a career or relationships. But restless leg syndrome can be a sign of much more trouble. Sometimes it accompanies conditions such as:

• Peripheral neuropathy. This is the name given to nerve damage in the arms and legs. The root cause of this may be diabetes or alcoholism.
• Iron deficiency in the body.
• Renal failure.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• some lesions of the spinal cord.

Therefore, restless leg syndrome should not be ignored.

How to recognize Restless Leg Syndrome

There are four main symptoms. If you have all of them, then with a high probability we are talking about RLS.

• Unpleasant sensations in the muscles of the legs occur when you remain motionless for a long time. For example, lie in bed or sit in a car, plane, or movie theater.
• The only way to get rid of discomfort is to move your legs or stretch your muscles.
• Sensations become more acute in the evening and at night. In the morning and during the day you may not notice them.
• Your legs twitch during falling and sleeping.

Typically, symptoms affect both lower limbs. But sometimes only one of them is involved or discomfort is added in the hands.

What to do if you suspect you have RLS

Be sure to talk to your therapist about this. Once again, RLS should not be ignored, as it can be a sign of serious illness.

How to treat restless legs syndrome

Let’s say right away: this disorder needs to be corrected. If this is not done, restless legs syndrome can accompany you all your life. And it will definitely ruin it.

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, give you a physical exam, and suggest a blood test to look for a possible iron deficiency. Further therapy will be prescribed depending on the results of the examination.

If there is a lack of this mineral in the blood, the doctor will prescribe you iron supplements – in the form of tablets or injections. If the therapist assumes the presence of a concomitant disease, then first it will be necessary to cure it – after that, restless legs syndrome will disappear by itself.

In the event that RLS is present, and the doctor does not understand the reasons for it (by the way, this happens most often), you will be advised to make some lifestyle changes:

• Do a warm foot bath and light massage every evening. This will improve the condition of the muscles and help them learn to relax without the restless “special effects”.
• Take good care of your sleep hygiene. The more tired you are, the more pronounced the symptoms of RLS. Therefore, do everything to, despite the syndrome, get enough sleep. Take a walk outside before bed. Arrange the bedroom – it should be quiet, darkened and cool. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time.
• Maintain an active lifestyle. Walk more, ride a bike, swim – in general, connect your legs. But make sure that the loads are moderate. Overexertion can exacerbate the symptoms of RLS.
• Take up yoga or breathing exercises.
• Cut down on caffeine. Sometimes refusal of coffee, strong tea, energy drinks, chocolate can nullify the syndrome. Do not use the listed products for several weeks and monitor your condition – suddenly this is your option for salvation.
• Eat foods high in iron (pork, red meat, dried fruit, seafood, dark green leafy vegetables). You also need vitamin C (citrus fruits, currants, strawberries, leafy greens) – it helps the iron to be absorbed.
• Apply a heating pad or a thinly wrapped ice pack to your feet if symptoms occur.