Heaviness in the legs: causes and home remedies

A common disorder related to heaviness in the legs is venous insufficiency. The veins carry out a physiological procedure that allows blood to return to the heart. When this process does not take place properly, the result is the accumulation of blood in these small veins known, then, as varicose veins and, in addition, in the capillaries. There is an increase in pressure and fluid extravasation resulting, consequently, in swelling, pain and heaviness in the legs.

Although this condition can occur in either sex, women are much more likely to suffer from venous insufficiency due to other related factors such as hormonal changes.

Fortunately, venous insufficiency is a benign and controllable disease and does not pose a serious threat to the health of the sufferer.

Venous insufficiency is characterized by symptoms such as:

• Heaviness in the legs.
• Muscle cramps.
• Tingling in the legs
• Swelling in the ankles .
• Tired legs.
• Presence of varicose veins.
• Leg pain .
• Leg pain at rest.

In this sense, we can say that venous insufficiency is the central cause of heaviness in the legs, despite this, this symptom may also be related to other risk factors such as:

• Age and genetics: the older you are, the more likely you are to suffer from venous insufficiency. In the same way, these probabilities increase if there is a history of relatives who present or have presented this disease.
• Hormonal changes: the constant hormonal changes that women undergo represent a common reason for suffering from heavy legs. This occurs because during the menstrual cycle there is greater retention of fluid, which causes pain or fatigue in the legs.
• Pregnancy: the hormonal and physical changes that occur during pregnancy have a direct impact on venous flow, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy, where the fetus is large enough to generate compression in the veins, worsening the return of blood from the legs towards the heart.
• Use of oral contraceptives: finally, the use of oral contraceptives also plays a relevant factor in the appearance of varicose veins, further predisposing to this alteration due to hormone replacement therapy.

In addition to those described above, there are other causes that can trigger the annoying symptom of heaviness in the legs:

• Obesity: this is a quite relevant factor, since overweight people tend to make it even more difficult for venous return.
• Tobacco: cigarette smoking also affects venous health. Tobacco contains harmful substances that injure the walls of the veins, obtaining in the medium or long term difficulty to circulate blood properly, resulting in pain and heaviness in the legs.
• Sedentary lifestyle: this is a bad habit that considerably affects our entire state of health, especially, affecting blood circulation. It can also be associated with work activity where there is reduced limitation.
• Clothing: Similarly, the use of tight clothing or clothing prevents favorable blood circulation. This is especially the case with the use of tight girdles or stockings.
• Posture: being in a specific posture for a long time, whether sitting or standing, favors the formation of varicose veins and, consequently, the presence of heaviness or pain in the legs.
• Temperatures: likewise, high temperatures (heat) cause the walls of the veins to dilate more than normal, favoring blood accumulation and fluid retention in the legs. This creates heaviness, tired legs, and the typical tingling in the lower extremities.
• Use of some medications: the use of some medications can generate as adverse effects fluid retention interfering with venous circulation. This can happen with blood pressure drugs and antidepressants.

Other reasons that can directly influence the correct circulation of blood flow are:

• Thyroid problems
• Heart failure.
• Liver failure.
• Allergies
• Long-haul trips.
• Previous surgery.
• Trauma

The best way to remove heaviness in the legs is to improve blood circulation and, for this, it is essential to make some changes in our lifestyle:

• Practice exercise: doing any exercise such as walking, jogging, cycling and even doing dance classes, can stimulate blood circulation and relieve symptoms of heavy legs.
• Diet: eat a balanced diet low in salt and fat to avoid fluid retention, overweight and constipation. Include fruits, vegetables, fibers and cereals in your diet.
• Physiotherapy: performing massages on both legs can improve blood return, reducing the annoying symptoms associated with venous insufficiency.
• Posture: at night, it is advisable to sleep with your legs raised approximately 15 centimeters. This allows for a better return of blood from the legs and upward. Likewise, it is important that if you have to sit or stand for a long time, you perform alternate exercises intermittently to allow blood circulation.
• Clothing: avoid wearing tight clothing and, especially, during pregnancy you can use rest or compression stockings. In this case, only the doctor will indicate the most appropriate one.
• Cold water: before sleeping and to activate blood circulation, it is advisable to take a shower with cold water. After this, it is recommended to massage in an upward direction from the ankles to the knees.
• Hydration: an effective way to promote venous return is to maintain proper hydration. It is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water per day, increasing if the daily physical activity is greater.
• Heat: avoid prolonged exposure to heat in the legs, as this favors venous dilation and worsens symptoms.

There are many causes related to heavy legs, fortunately, it is a benign condition that improves with natural remedies and with specialist medication.

In the following article, you can see other home remedies for tired legs .

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Heaviness in the legs: causes and home remedies , we recommend that you enter our category of Bones, joints and muscles .