As people age, they increasingly complain of fatigue and pain in their legs. There are many reasons for this: such symptoms are characteristic of 120 different diseases of ligaments, joints, bones, muscles and blood vessels. Only qualified doctors can understand them, and then, as a rule, after thorough examinations. But general information about the nature of pain in the lower extremities and practical recommendations for older people can still be given
According to statistics, many people (women more often than men) begin to regularly feel fatigue and discomfort in their legs after 40-45 years. In addition to the fact that a person’s legs quickly get tired, he may feel pain, burning, numbness of the lower leg and fingers, heaviness, “pins and needles,” cramps, “twisting in the joints.”
It is clear that such symptoms are observed in people who are overweight, engage in physical labor, and often carry heavy bags. But those who walk little and sit for long periods suffer no less. What's the matter? Let's try to consider which diseases of the legs cause the most concern.
This is one of the common causes of pain, burning and heaviness in the feet and calves. People with flat feet feel as if their feet are filled with lead. This disease very often leads to painful deformation of the toes, especially the big one (the so-called valgus curvature, which in everyday life is called a “bunion”).
In addition, it serves as the basis for the development of other pathologies of the foot, including its subluxations and dislocations, because it is difficult for a flat and very flat foot to carry the body. Moreover, flat feet contribute to poor posture and the development of spinal diseases, which is why a person with flat feet experiences pain in the lumbar region and joints.
Meanwhile, this is one of those diseases that is much easier to prevent than to subsequently treat. As a rule, it is acquired due to many years of wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes or high-heeled shoes. Our elderly patients can only give advice on choosing the right shoes to their children. But we ourselves can only walk in loose, worn-in shoes that are comfortable for the feet. Flat feet, if they have it in the initial or moderate form, must be corrected with the help of arch supports,
An orthopedic doctor will help you choose based on the nature of the foot pathology.
In order to strengthen the feet, it is useful to walk barefoot more often on wet sand and grass, and perform exercises to train the feet (walking on tiptoes, on heels, on the inner and outer lateral surfaces of the feet, spreading the toes, lifting small objects with the toes). Complex forms of flat feet are treated surgically.
This is the name for an awl-shaped growth on the surface of the heel bone. It is accompanied by an inflammatory process and, as a result, pain when walking. A spur is often a consequence of longitudinal flat feet, obesity and other metabolic diseases. Among its causes are also injuries to the heel bone, circulatory problems in the legs, and complications of a chronic disease (for example, arthritis).
Heel spurs are treated using a set of measures. These include anti-inflammatory ointments, physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic exercises, and wearing orthopedic insoles. Traditional medicine methods can also make their contribution, but, I repeat, it is better to use them in combination with other means.
These diseases are a very common cause of leg pain in older people. Each of them is a rather complex problem of modern medicine, the consideration of which is not the purpose of my review article. I will only emphasize that the words “arthrosis” and “arthritis” are similar only in sound; in fact, the causes of these diseases are completely different.
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed in 60-70% of people aged 60-70 years and represents destructive changes in cartilage and bone tissue.
This disease can come on in different ways: some people have the feeling that “the legs can’t move”, others begin to have pain in their muscles and joints when climbing stairs or doing other activities, and the pain may subside at rest.
There is limited mobility, crunching in the joint, and occasional swelling may occur. If left untreated, the joint gradually becomes deformed until it becomes immobile. Therefore, if such symptoms arise, you must, without wasting time, consult a competent doctor. He can prescribe medication, physiotherapy, and gymnastics. All her exercises should be easy and not painful. The feeling of pain in this case means that the load has exceeded the limit allowed for the joints.
If in arthrosis the main destructive activity is carried out by degenerative processes in the articular cartilage, then in arthritis it is inflammatory processes. This is the main difference between arthrosis and arthritis.
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Its first signs are stiffness in the joints in the morning. Hands, fingers, legs become “wobbly” and disobedient. If arthritis affects the joints of the fingers, fine motor skills are impaired. Then there is pain and burning in the joints. Having appeared in the morning, it can disappear closer to lunch, and therefore patients often ignore it, attributing all the unpleasant sensations to sleeping in an uncomfortable position. However, further the pain becomes stronger and occurs more often. The skin over the affected joint turns red and feels hot to the touch. In particularly severe cases, fever, general weakness and leukocytosis may appear. If the disease is neglected, it can lead to serious deformation of the joints and even put a person in a wheelchair.
There are many types of arthritis, in modern medicine there are about 150 of them. The most common are: rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic polyarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (ankylosing spondylitis), specific infectious arthritis (gonorrhea, tuberculosis, dysentery, viral and others), infectious-allergic, psoriatic polyarthritis and other. There are arthritis that occurs due to allergic diseases, metabolic disorders (for example, gout), diseases of the lungs, blood, digestive tract, malignant tumors, etc.
By the way, with autoimmune processes, not only joint pain can be felt, but also weakness and fatigue in the leg muscles due to an immune attack on their cells.
Due to the variety of causes for the development of arthritis, treatment is selected individually for each patient, taking into account the characteristics of his body and condition, the causes of the disease and its stage. Well, prevention comes down to following the principles of a healthy lifestyle. This includes a healthy diet, moderate physical activity, and strengthening the immune system.
(varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities, obliterating endarteritis, inflammation of the lymph nodes and blood vessels)
All diseases associated with deterioration of blood flow in the legs invariably cause a feeling of fatigue, discomfort and pain in the legs. Vascular diseases of the legs are divided into diseases of the veins, arteries and lymphatic vessels.
With varicose veins, the main causes of constant pain are trophic disorders in tissues caused by deterioration of their blood supply, as well as painful changes in the venous wall, leading to its stretching and stagnation of blood in the vessel, so the patient himself can easily recognize them. Such pain is usually localized in the lower leg, popliteal fossa, and sometimes in the ankle joints.
They can be constant, aching or sharp, spasmodic - it all depends on the stage of the disease and the load. Usually, when walking, standing for a long time, or lifting heavy objects, when the load on the blood vessels increases, the pain intensifies. If you hold your legs up or do a light massage, that is, perform some actions to improve blood circulation, they weaken.
As for thrombophlebitis, it most often affects varicose veins of the legs, which is why it is considered a complication of varicose veins. Thrombophlebitis can begin suddenly with the appearance of painful lumps with redness of the skin along the dilated veins, but often develops gradually and takes a chronic course. With this pathology, a person feels severe pain in the leg, and body temperature sometimes rises to 37.5-38 degrees. The superficial veins of the legs are most often affected. Sometimes the deep veins are also involved in the process. Then there is a nagging pain in the calf muscle or thigh with swelling of the leg. Treatment of vein diseases can be medicinal or surgical - it all depends on the stage of development of the process.
Arterial diseases also lead to leg pain. Among them, the most common is atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities, which refers to obliterating vascular diseases (obliterating - leading to closure of the lumen, fusion). Previously, this disease mainly affected older men. Unfortunately, the disease now occurs in middle age. Cases of obliterating atherosclerosis in women have even become more frequent. Risk factors are well known - smoking, low physical activity, hereditary factors, hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, liver and biliary tract diseases, obesity, high cholesterol in the blood.
At rest, arterial circulation in the lower extremities may be sufficient, but during physical activity, narrowed arteries can no longer satisfy the increased oxygen demand of the muscles. The muscles respond to this with pain. This is how intermittent claudication occurs. When walking, especially when going up, pain occurs in the calf muscles, forcing the patient to periodically stop for it to pass. If pain occurs in the entire leg, it means that the arteries at the pelvic level are affected by the pathological process. Unlike radiculitis, pain does not depend on sudden movements or turns of the body. In addition to pain, cramps, weakness, or a feeling of heaviness in the legs may be bothersome. If left untreated, gangrene may develop with amputation of the affected part of the limb.
With obliterating endarteritis, the small (peripheral) arteries of the legs are affected. Unlike atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, which develops gradually, obliterating endarteritis is characterized by an undulating course - exacerbations alternate with remissions. The symptoms and complications are almost the same - intermittent claudication, possible amputation due to gangrene and similar major troubles.
A feature of obliterating endarteritis is the symmetry of the damage to the extremities and the possible involvement in the process of not only the lower, but also the upper extremities. While the atherosclerotic process is more often one-sided and affects almost exclusively the legs.
Pain, heaviness in the legs in combination with swelling can be symptoms of lymphadenitis - inflammation of the lymph nodes and lymphangitis - inflammation of the lymphatic vessels of the lower extremities. But in old age, swelling of both legs is more often caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system (for example, heart failure), kidney diseases, and thyroid diseases. Taking certain medications (for example, antidepressants) may also have an effect. At the same time, swelling of only one limb is usually associated with a local disorder - the same lymphatic disease, venous thrombosis, as well as arthritis.
If we continue the list of diseases that can cause pain in the legs, we will have to name various myositis and neuralgia, injuries and inflammatory diseases of ligaments and tendons, and finally, metabolic disorders and hormonal disorders that can occur during menopause. That is, there are many reasons for pain in the legs, so don’t bother figuring them out on your own, but consult a doctor.
Leg pain bothers many young people and those who have crossed the threshold of maturity. Unfortunately, pain in the lower extremities is often perceived as an insignificant problem that should go away on its own. In fact, such symptoms are almost always a signal of a progressive disease that can lead to significant complications.
Initially, it is worth understanding that the legs consist of muscles, bones, skin, joints and other structural elements. And in fact, each of them, due to various diseases or injuries, can cause discomfort. Moreover, the condition when the lower extremities hurt may be familiar not only to older people, but also to young people. But if everything is clear with the elderly, then what about the younger generation?
Why do seemingly healthy people complain of pain in their legs? The reasons for such an illness can be quite simple: intense physical activity, shoes that overload the muscles (high heels), uncomfortable body position. Pregnancy and taking certain oral contraceptives can also cause pain in the lower extremities.
Unpleasant sensations are possible with the following health problems:
— degenerative-dystrophic processes (flat feet, arthrosis, etc.);
— radiculitis, sciatica, diabetic polyneuropathy, tunnel syndromes, neuritis;
- impaired water-salt metabolism;
- diseases of an inflammatory nature (osteomyelitis, myositis, erysipelas, phlegmon, tendovaginitis, arthritis).
An angiologist surgeon is able to distinguish these diseases from vascular changes in the extremities, which require the participation of another specialist. Pain in the legs in this case can have different causes: disturbances in the functioning of veins, arteries and lymphatic vessels.
This group of diseases includes several key diagnoses that can lead to severe pain in the lower extremities.
1. Postthrombophlebitic syndrome. This disease is typical for most people who have suffered deep vein thrombosis. This means the destruction of the valve apparatus, as a result of which venous blood flow is disrupted. Pain is usually felt after prolonged static exercise (lying, sitting or standing). In this case, the legs may swell. To get rid of unpleasant sensations, you need to lie down and raise your legs. With this disease, the following symptoms may appear: the subcutaneous tissue and skin of the affected area thicken, trophic ulcers, subcutaneous dermatitis, eczema and pigmentation of the skin of the legs occur. Convulsions are possible at night.
2. Varicose veins. In this case, pain in the legs is also possible, the causes of which lie in the deformation of the veins.
3. Thrombophlebitis and phlebitis. Essentially, phlebitis is an inflammation of the veins, and thrombophlebitis can be defined as its complication. The development of thrombophlebitis leads to the formation of a blood clot and severe pain in the legs, which is combined with swelling.
Thus, disruption of the veins can cause pain in the calves. Reasons of this kind can be considered serious enough to consult a doctor.
When considering this group of causes of pain in the lower extremities, it is necessary to pay attention to the following diseases:
1. Obliterating endarteritis. This problem mainly affects middle-aged men and young people. As the disease develops, the small arteries of the legs are affected. The course of the disease can be described as wavy. This means alternating exacerbations and remissions. With this disease, intermediate lameness appears.
2. Atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities. This is another diagnosis in which the patient is bothered by leg pain. The causes of severe discomfort lie in the closure and fusion of blood vessels. The development of this disease is facilitated by factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, hypertension, heredity, obesity, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, biliary tract and liver diseases.
Due to clogging of the arteries with cholesterol plaques, in an active state, the muscles are not able to receive the required amount of oxygen. The natural reaction of the body in this case is pain. Its consequence is intermediate lameness. Pain in the calves can have various causes, and most of them are associated with blockage of the arterial lumen. The pain is felt especially clearly when climbing up or other loads. The sensation can be so severe that people with this problem often have to stop while driving.
The causes of pain in the leg from the hip may also be related to atherosclerosis. In this case, there is every reason to suspect blockage of the arteries at the pelvic level. In this case, the degree of discomfort does not depend on sudden movements and turns of the body.
Signs of atherosclerosis can also include cramps, heaviness in the legs and weakness.
3. Thrombosis and embolism of arteries. In this case, the arteries are blocked by a certain substance (for example, a blood clot in the case of thrombosis). In the part of the leg that was fed from the blocked artery, diffuse pain appears. First, pallor appears on the limb, and then blueness appears, and the pulse ceases to be palpable. The next stage in the development of the disease is numbness, and in some cases, paralysis. This condition is very dangerous, since without timely treatment there is a high risk of developing ischemia, wet gangrene and, ultimately, amputation of the limb.
4. Berger's disease (thromboangitis obliterans). The pathology is characterized as a disease of young male smokers. With this diagnosis, exacerbations and remissions alternate. Often there is pain in the feet, the causes and consequences of which are so serious that in every second person such a disease leads to amputation at the level of the fingers of the lower limb, foot and even hip.
The key feature of thromboangitis obliterans can be determined by the symmetry of the lesions of both legs. The upper limbs may also be involved in the disease process. But in most cases, only the legs are affected.
As for problems with the lymphatic system, it makes sense to talk about diseases such as lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymphatic vessels) and lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes). The most common cause of the development of these ailments is staphylococcus, which penetrates the lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes during various inflammatory skin diseases.
The most common causes of pain in the calves are myositis, osteochondrosis and chronic diseases of the spine. If we touch on myositis in more detail, it is worth noting that this pathology leads to the development of chronic or acute muscle inflammation. This disease occurs in most cases due to infection or hypothermia of the lower extremities. Pain in the leg muscles, the causes of which are associated with myositis, can occur both in a specific part of the limb and in large muscle masses. There are often cases when other anatomical formations located next to the muscles are also involved in the disease process. We are talking about skin, nerve fibers and joints.
Severe pain in the calf area may also indicate that the patient’s diabetes is progressing. The consequence of this disease is damage to small vessels and large arteries. As a result, the tissues do not receive the required amount of nutrients in general and oxygen in particular. The result of such processes is the accumulation of metabolic by-products and carbon dioxide.
Joint pain can appear for various reasons: osteoporosis, arthrosis, arthritis, etc. For example, arthritis provokes inflammation and subsequent swelling of the joint, which is accompanied by pain. Moreover, this disease has several varieties: gout, osteoarthritis, infectious and rheumatoid arthritis. Pain in the arms and legs, the causes of which are related to the above-mentioned diseases, definitely deserve the attention of a qualified doctor.
In the case of gout, a metabolic disorder occurs. Osteoarthritis has a very slow progression. The disease can progress from several months to several years. The area affected by inflammation is the joints of the hands, knees and even the hip joint.
A disease such as arthrosis leads to the destruction of articular cartilage. Pain in the joints of the arms and legs, the causes of which are associated with the development of arthrosis, can be quite severe. This disease can be attributed to age. The reason for its development is metabolic disorders in the joint, hereditary predisposition, hormonal changes, too much physical activity, injuries and arthritis. As a result of the development of the disease, the cartilage changes color and loses its elasticity.
If we consider pain in the feet, then the main causes of their occurrence can be identified as varicose veins, osteoporosis, plantar fasciitis, obliterating endarteritis, flat feet, diabetes and other diseases.
Every person has a suspended fascia in their foot. This is a plate of connective tissue that runs along the entire surface of the sole. The role of this plate is that it strengthens the foot. But if the fascia is exposed to constant overload, it can become inflamed and injured. Pain in the feet due to plantar fasciitis in most cases occurs in those people who have congenital weakness of connective tissue. Pain during the development of this disease occurs on the instep and in the lateral part of the foot. However, they can intensify after heavy exertion or long walking.
Such a common cause of pain in the legs as flat feet occurs due to insufficient or excessive load on the feet, incorrect heredity, excess weight or the use of uncomfortable shoes. This pathology can develop against the background of diseases such as polio and diabetes. The essence of the disease comes down to the fact that the ligamentous-muscular mechanism of the foot ceases to fully function. Because flat feet cause the joints of the foot to be out of alignment, additional stress is placed on the other joints of the legs, the spine, and the base of the skull. The result of such processes can be pinched nerve roots. This, in turn, can lead to the development of serious pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
As you can see, pain in the lower back and legs can have completely different causes. Therefore, at the first sign of discomfort, you should visit a doctor.
In children from 3 to 15 years old, a disease such as aseptic necrosis of the femoral head (Perthes disease) is quite often observed. This diagnosis means complete destruction and subsequent restoration of the femoral head in a child. This process usually lasts 3-4 years. Delving deeper into the topic: “Pain in the joints of the legs: causes and treatment,” it is worth noting that with a disease such as aseptic necrosis, the symptoms in the first stages of development are virtually invisible. For this reason, most parents visit a doctor with their children already when the destructive processes cause significant damage.
Perthes disease can develop against the background of a congenital disorder of the blood supply to the hip joint. In this case, pain is felt in the area of the knee and hip joints, resulting in lameness. If the affected leg is immobilized throughout the course of the disease, the damage can be minimized. Otherwise, there is a risk of arthrosis formation.
In fact, all the reasons why women may experience pain in their legs while carrying a child can be divided into two groups:
— pathological (develop against the background of various diseases);
- physiological (natural during pregnancy).
If we talk about the physiological causes of pain, then they include changes in weight and pressure of the child’s head on the pelvis. In the case when a significant increase in extra pounds occurs, the main load falls on the pelvis and spine, as well as the lower limbs. Pain in the leg muscles can also have other causes. We are talking about the influence of various pathologies:
- phlebeurysm;
— decrease in the content of microelements such as magnesium and calcium;
— thrombophlebitis of deep and superficial veins;
It’s worth starting with a problem such as lumbago disease. This diagnosis is made when acute pain in the lumbar region radiates throughout the entire leg, and sometimes even reaches the fingers. Shooting is felt during periods of intense physical exertion due to muscle strain.
Lower back pain radiating to the leg may have other causes. For example, with lumboischialgia, a person feels sharp pain from the lumbar and sacral region to the foot. With such symptoms, which occur suddenly, it is almost impossible to lean on the affected leg.
Lumbodynia can also be considered one of the causes of shooting pain. This diagnosis means pain resulting from wear of the intervertebral discs. This condition is characterized by swelling of the tissues surrounding the spine and numbness in the legs.
Often, lower back pain radiating to the leg is caused by pinching of the sciatic nerve. Compression of the nerve occurs, as a rule, with osteochondrosis or spinal hernia. The result of such processes is severe pain, which progresses to the back of the thigh, moving down to the lower leg and foot. The problem with the sciatic nerve is quite serious and deserves special attention. Therefore, you should not neglect a visit to the doctor with such a diagnosis.
Since pain in the feet can have completely different causes (as well as pain in other parts of the legs), it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis and determine the essence of the problem. Only in this case, with the participation of a qualified doctor, will the treatment be effective.
It will not be superfluous to obtain information about ointments that can reduce the intensity of pain. It makes sense to pay attention to “Neovitin” - an extract from ginseng. This ointment significantly reduces pain in the feet and calf muscles. It contains peptides that have a beneficial effect on blood circulation, chlorophyll derivatives that can have wound-healing and antimicrobial effects, as well as castor oil, which is necessary to soften the skin.
Continuing to study the topic: “Pain in the joints of the legs: causes and treatment,” you should pay attention to the properties of the Antistax gel. This product is suitable for those who constantly run a lot and consistently load their legs. This gel helps relieve pain in the legs and feet.
In order to achieve effective neutralization of leg pain, it is worth using Ketonal cream, which has a high concentration of ketoprofen. It is this fact that determines the anti-inflammatory effect of this drug. It is usually prescribed to relieve acute pain in joints and muscles.
Understanding such an issue as “pain in the legs: causes, treatment,” it is important to consider the use of Olfen-gel, which is indicated for rheumatic and post-traumatic inflammation. The gel is designed for accelerated restoration of motor function through an analgesic effect.
One of the most common and effective methods of combating pain in the legs is proper massage. Proper foot massage after a hard day will have a beneficial effect on muscles, blood vessels and sweat glands, as well as improve blood circulation and speed up metabolic processes. When trying to understand the topic: “Pain in the leg muscles: causes,” it is worth understanding that good blood flow is one of the foundations for the health of both joints and muscles. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the fact that for those people who have been diagnosed with edema, varicose veins and skin diseases, night massage is contraindicated.
Foot pain, which is often caused by poor blood flow and muscle strain, can also be relieved with massage.
Another way to get your feet in order is to use contrasting temperatures. To do this, you need to take two containers with a volume of 6-7 liters and fill one of them with moderately hot water (40 degrees), and the other with cold water (15 degrees). Next, you need to lower both legs alternately into cool and warm water. This procedure should be repeated several times. Finally, you need to thoroughly rub your feet and leg muscles with a towel.
As a result, we can conclude that in the vast majority of cases, leg pain is a signal of another disease. This means that you should not get carried away with self-medication. Instead, it is better to undergo diagnostics in a modern clinic, which will reveal the essence of the problem.
*Patent for invention No. 2241483. Composition ANGIONORM®, which has anti-aggregation, capillary-protective, venotonic effects. Registered with the State Register of the Russian Federation on December 10, 2004
About 75% of people have at least once experienced a condition popularly called “leg cramps”, or in medicine – cramps. These extremely unpleasant sensations are caused by involuntary contraction of the calf muscles, beyond conscious control. It is especially annoying when cramps occur at night, disrupting sleep. Let's try to figure out what causes leg cramps and how to deal with them.
Convulsions can either occur in practically healthy people or be a symptom of certain diseases.
Involuntary muscle contractions can be local , that is, affecting one muscle or a small muscle group, or generalized , when several muscle groups are involved in the pathological process. In children, generalized convulsions often occur at high temperatures (in medicine this is “febrile convulsive syndrome”), but in adults they most often become signs of severe pathology - epilepsy, eclampsia, damage to the parathyroid glands with severe disturbances in calcium metabolism, etc. Therefore, any attack of generalized seizures, even one that has passed without visible consequences, is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.
According to the mechanism of muscle contractions, cramps can be clonic , when periods of muscle contraction and relaxation are quickly replaced, and tonic , in which the muscle remains contracted (toned) for a relatively long time.
The causes of seizures are quite varied and can be either relatively harmless or require immediate medical intervention:
Deficiency of vitamins and microelements
A lack of calcium in the blood increases the excitability of synapses - the points of contact of nerve and muscle fibers through which signals are transmitted that cause muscle contractions, thus provoking increased convulsive readiness [1]. A lack of calcium, in turn, can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, which regulates the metabolism of this mineral. In addition, a lack of magnesium can also trigger cramps.
Paradoxically, both athletes and people leading a sedentary lifestyle can complain of cramps. The first - due to excess load, the second - because for adequate blood circulation in the legs, a “muscle pump” must work: blood flow accelerates under the influence of muscle contractions. Weak microcirculation causes a disruption in the oxygen supply to tissues (ischemia) and, as a result, convulsions.
This period in a woman’s life is often accompanied by various kinds of changes that can also provoke the appearance of seizures:
Many diuretics “work” by removing sodium from the body, which “pulls” water with it. But along with the “extra” sodium, the necessary potassium is often removed. An imbalance of potassium and calcium in the body is another cause of seizures. Seizures can also be a side effect of taking hormonal contraceptives and other medications. All possible adverse events are indicated in the instructions for use of any drug, therefore, if seizures appeared due to long-term use of any medications, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with it again.
Any chronic disease affects the entire body. For example, with excess weight in the body, the hormonal balance is disturbed (adipocytes and fibroblasts of adipose tissue, in which hormones, peptides and other biologically active substances are synthesized, begin to produce them in disproportions), due to which cramps can become the same side effect, as when taking hormonal contraceptives. Transverse flatfoot leads to constant muscle fatigue, which also increases convulsive readiness. Against the background of liver cirrhosis, severe electrolyte disturbances develop, leading to convulsions. In diabetes mellitus, small vessels are actively affected and blood microcirculation deteriorates - which can also cause seizures. Not to mention neurological problems and the most famous of them - epilepsy...
Therefore, the most reasonable thing to do if seizures occur is to consult a therapist, who, if necessary, will give a referral to a specialized specialist.
The most commonly diagnosed cause of leg cramps is varicose veins, which affects at least a quarter of the population [2], but only 18% of patients are aware of their problem [3].
You are most likely at risk of developing varicose veins if:
Varicose veins of the lower extremities in the initial stages are practically not a concern. Most symptoms disappear after proper rest, but this is where the main danger of the disease lies. Often patients turn to the doctor too late, when the symptoms become so severe that they no longer go away overnight.
The first symptoms and warning signs of varicose veins:
The development of varicose veins is a rather complex process. As a rule, varicose veins are characterized by 3 main disturbances in the functioning of the venous circulatory system:
If a muscle is cramped, you will not be able to consciously relax it. The only remedy is to try to physically stretch it. To do this, you need to stand on the floor (if this is not possible, sit down with your leg stretched out), and pull the toe of your straight leg towards you. In a sitting position, you can try to perform the well-known “stretching” exercise, when you clasp the toe of a straight leg with your hands and pull it towards yourself, while the torso bends along this leg if possible. Usually this is enough.
A pin is often recommended as a folk remedy. This can really help - a sharp pain impulse relieves convulsive readiness and relaxes the muscle, especially if you manage to get into the “trigger zone” - the area of the muscle from which the pathological contraction began. On the other hand, pricking yourself with an unsterile pin can cause an infection. Therefore, it is better not to experiment with this method.
After the night cramp has passed, it is useful to massage the leg with stroking movements from the heel towards the groin to relieve swelling and restore normal blood circulation. It is better to fall asleep by placing a bolster or pillow under your feet so that they remain elevated.
As already mentioned, cramps, including nighttime ones, can be the result of serious illnesses. Therefore, there is no need to engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication; the correct thing to do is to consult a doctor who will find the cause and prescribe treatment.
The very first doctor you should contact is a therapist. Most likely, he will immediately prescribe several tests:
It is possible that, based on the medical history (questioning) and objective examination, some other examinations will be necessary; this will be decided by the doctor. Based on the results, the therapist will redirect the patient to a specialized specialist who will prescribe treatment.
For example, for varicose veins in the initial stages, the following may be recommended [6]:
In addition to pharmacotherapy, therapeutic exercises are useful to relieve pain in the legs, since one of the reasons for the development of varicose veins is lack of movement. An approximate set of exercises could be as follows:
If you don’t have enough time for gymnastics, it can be replaced by regular walking at a comfortable pace, and for pool lovers, breaststroke swimming is suitable.
Leg pain and cramps are a complex problem that can be caused by various changes in the body. Therefore, the only correct way out is to consult a doctor as quickly as possible so that he can determine the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment. At best, independent experiments can result in a waste of time.
When prescribing a particular drug, the doctor is primarily guided by Russian clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic venous diseases. This means that he focuses on a group of phlebotropic drugs, choosing among them the most suitable remedy in each specific case. The action of the individual entrepreneur should be aimed at:
In the treatment of varicose veins, it is desirable that the drug immediately possesses the entire set of properties necessary for treatment, and at the same time the drug remains affordable.
It is obvious that many FLPs do not have all the therapeutic effects, so there is often a need to find a comprehensive solution or to take several drugs at once, which undoubtedly increases the cost of the course of treatment.
Taking into account this need, specialists from the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR) developed the drug “Angionorm”. This is a combined venotonic containing several biologically active substances in a dry extract:
Thanks to its unique patented [7] composition, Angionorm provides “in one tablet” the entire complex of actions necessary for the treatment of varicose veins and mentioned just above. Namely, it promotes:
Angionorm also exhibits stress-protective activity, improves physical performance and exhibits a moderate analgesic effect. In this case, one package (100 tablets) is enough for the entire course of treatment. Contraindications, as well as the method of use of the drug, are indicated in the instructions.
Pain in the legs is an extremely common phenomenon, especially among older people. There are many types of pain - aching, cutting, pulling, and each of them has its own causes. Of course, the regular occurrence of pain in the legs is an important symptom, indicating the presence of a serious disease and requiring consultation with a specialist.
The causes of pain in the legs can be various factors, starting from banal muscle fatigue due to overexertion (strain) and ending with diseases of the musculoskeletal system or blood vessels. Sharp, sudden pain in the leg can be caused by an injury (bruise, fracture) of the lower limb.
The most common cause of regular pain in the legs today is stagnation of venous blood in the vessels of the lower extremities, caused by impaired blood outflow. Over time, this pathology, in addition to regular pain, can lead to the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities and chronic venous insufficiency.
Also, the cause of pain can be atherosclerosis of the arteries of the legs. In this case, as a rule, the pain in the legs is of a compressive nature and intensifies when walking.
Many diseases associated with the spine can also provoke pain in the legs (herniated intervertebral discs, protrusions, etc.). With inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica), pain is also felt in the hips.
A fairly common cause of leg pain is the development of joint diseases. However, people usually describe the pain as “wrenching.” Such diseases include gout, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as arthrosis of various origins.
Do not forget that often the cause of pain in the lower extremities lies precisely in the legs. Thus, in the presence of deforming diseases of the feet (flat feet, varus and valgus deformities, etc.), pain can be felt in the entire limb due to uneven distribution of the load.
The cause of paroxysmal pain in the legs can be a disease of the peripheral nerves (neuralgia). Such attacks last from several seconds to minutes and are felt along the nerve fibers.
In addition, pain in the lower extremities may indicate the presence of a dangerous inflammatory muscle disease - myositis, an infection in the bone tissue - osteomyelitis, bone cancer - osteosarcoma, endocrine pathology (diabetes mellitus, etc.), as well as some infectious diseases (leptospirosis, trichinosis ).