Do your legs feel heavy?

La pesadez en las piernas

Leg heaviness and fatigue can stem from various causes, one being venous insufficiency. This condition often leads to a dull ache that worsens throughout the day, especially after prolonged sitting or standing, and in warm weather. Symptoms may develop gradually, causing many to confuse them with normal aging.

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What Causes Leg Heaviness?

Leg heaviness, or a sensation of aching fatigue in the legs, can be due to several causes.

Muscular disorders, joint issues, and circulatory disorders can all cause a sensation of leg heaviness. Overall, the most common cause is venous insufficiency or vein disease.

The veins in the leg bring blood up, against gravity, to the heart. They do this using the help of one-way doors called valves that are scattered at regular intervals along the length of the vein. Blood flows past a valve then the valve shuts, preventing the blood from flowing back down to the feet. Overtime, however, the valves become dysfunctional and start to leak. Blood pools in the vein below the valve and, over time, new spider and varicose veins form on the skin’s surface. Long-term complications such as ulcers and skin changes may occur.

Pregnancy can have a profound effect on circulation and can increase the risk of vein dysfunction. High levels of pregnancy hormones, including progesterone, cause veins to dilate. The uterus enlarges and may put pressure on veins exiting the pelvis. Finally, the overall volume of blood in the body increases. This combination of factors leads to an increase in chronic venous insufficiency and associated varicose veins and spider veins. Women may notice aching, heaviness and swelling in the legs. For some women, these venous issues resolve after delivery. But for others, the vein disease persists and requires medical attention post-partum.

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Who is at risk of vein disease?

The primary risk factor for enfermedad vascular is genetics; if both parents had it, you have a 90% chance of developing it. Other risk factors include being female, prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, and pregnancy.

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Signs your leg heaviness is due to vein disease:

• Lеg heaviness that is worse at the end of the day or in hot weather.
• Lеg heaviness that improves with compression stockings.
• Leg heaviness that improves with exercise.
• The leg heaviness is accompanied by cramps
• You experience restless legs
• You have skin changes, hair loss, or ulcers
• You notice varicose veins (bulging blue veins) or spider veins on your legs.

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consult a vein specialist. Your health matters!

Some useful techniques to attempt to treat leg heaviness include the following:

• Compression Hose: Medical – grade compression stockings can help with leg heaviness due to vein disease. These stockings exert high pressure at the ankles and lower calves, pushing blood upwards and improving circulation.

• Lymphatic Drainage: This is a manual massage thаt alternates ѕеvеrаl lеvеlѕ оf рrеѕѕurе. Thіѕ trеаtmеnt ѕhоuld аlwауѕ bе performed by a professional рhуѕісаl thеrаріѕt. Lуmрhаtіс drаіnаgе іѕ dеѕіgnеd to break up edemas аnd rеѕtаrt lymphatic return.

Treatment for leg heaviness depends on the underlying cause. If you think your leg heaviness is due to vein disease, consider a consultation with an experienced physician.

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How can a doctor diagnose the cause of leg heaviness?

More accurate diagnosis of the cause of your leg heaviness will be made if you’re able to provide clear information about the nature of your pain and symptoms.

Combining this information with a physical examination and diagnostic tests, like a non-invasive ultrasound, will help a vein doctor accurately identify the causes of your leg heaviness and outline potential treatment options. Prompt medical evaluation and effective treatment may prevent further damage to your blood vessels.

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