Heavy Legs: Causes, Treatment & Help

Heavy legs is a condition that millions of people know very well, especially in the evening. According to research, only about ten percent of adults have healthy veins. However, very few sufferers consider their discomfort to be a health problem. Yet diseases of the leg veins are usually the cause of heavy legs.

What are heavy legs?

Heavy legs can be a sign of changes in the veins of the legs. Heavy legs can be a sign of changes in the leg veins. Approximately 90% of adults suffer from such changes in varying degrees of severity. Most often, changes such as spider veins are considered a purely cosmetic problem. However, even the smallest changes can be a sign of venous weakness. If left untreated, the changes progress steadily and eventually lead to serious problems. The consequences can be varicose veins, thromboses and even embolisms. In addition, heavy legs often occur during pregnancy. It is advisable to have the causes of heavy legs clarified by a doctor.

Causes

There are several causes of heavy legs. For sufferers with healthy veins, heavy legs may simply be a sign of too much strain. In many cases, however, diseases of the veins are responsible for the discomfort. Venous diseases can be accompanied by externally visible signs, such as spider veins, as well as cause the feeling of heavy and tired legs without external signs. Other symptoms may include itching, tingling, swollen ankles or stabbing pain. During pregnancy, heavy legs occur frequently because the vessels are more stretchy and accordingly more blood flows through them. This can lead to congestion in the leg veins, which triggers the symptoms. Venous diseases should always be taken seriously. Therefore, heavy legs should be clarified by a doctor.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Spider veins
  • Weakness of the veins
  • Thrombosis

Diagnosis and course

Since heavy legs can be a sign of venous disease, examinations are performed to determine any vein changes. First, the doctor will look for other symptoms. These include spider veins and varicose veins. For further diagnosis, examinations are performed with the help of so-called imaging techniques. Duplex examination, for example, is used for this purpose. This is a combination of ultrasound examination and Doppler procedure. The Doppler method is a special form of ultrasound examination that can be used to examine the speed at which blood flows through the vessels. Vascular stenoses can also be accurately detected in this way. In some cases, phlebography is also performed. In this case, a contrast medium is injected into the veins and the vessels are then visualized by an X-ray examination. If varicose veins are suspected, there are a number of other tests that are performed as needed. A one-time or infrequent occurrence of the complaints may have the harmless cause of overuse. If the complaints occur more frequently, the causes should be clarified as early as possible, since heavy legs can lead to thromboses and embolisms if left untreated.

Complications

The causes of “heavy legs” are varied, but often the underlying condition is weakness of the veins. If this remains untreated, it can have serious complications, because untreated venous weakness progresses more and more. The consequences can be varicose veins, open legs, thromboses or embolisms. Varicose veins are not a purely cosmetic problem; if they are not treated, discoloration and chronic inflammation of the skin will result. If left untreated, varicose veins lead to superficial phlebitis, possibly with clot formation, and open legs. Open legs are wounds in the area of the lower legs and feet. They heal poorly because of the already poor circulation. Often there is a secondary colonization of the wounds with bacteria. Then a protracted therapy becomes (life)necessary. Thrombosis is caused by a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg. If left untreated, it can lead to pulmonary embolism. In the case of a pulmonary embolism, parts of the blood clot detach and subsequently enter the pulmonary vein via the cardiopulmonary circulation, blocking it.The tissue behind it is no longer supplied with blood and dies. The heart is also affected by the increased pressure in the cardiopulmonary circulation. In Germany alone, more than 40000 people die of pulmonary embolism every year.

When should you go to the doctor?

A visit to the doctor is not always necessary for heavy legs. In most cases, the complaints are due to an overload of the muscles and disappear after a few hours. A medical clarification is recommended if the heavy legs persist for several days or even weeks or are accompanied by other symptoms. For example, heavy legs that are associated with a burning sensation in the muscles indicate a muscle inflammation that should definitely be clarified. Not infrequently, the complaints are also based on tension, which can be relieved by a professional massage. If the heavy limbs are accompanied by severe pain, a doctor should be consulted for further clarification. This is especially true if the complaints occur without physical stress. Also, if the symptom is recurrent, professional advice is needed. If the cause is treated quickly, serious complications can usually be ruled out. However, if left untreated, heavy legs can develop into various secondary diseases, depending on the cause.

Treatment and therapy

Treatment for heavy legs always depends on the severity of the symptoms and their causes. It is helpful to facilitate the return of blood from the veins. Therefore, it is advisable to elevate the legs as often as possible and avoid prolonged sitting or standing. Special vein gymnastics can strengthen the vascular walls and improve the return flow of blood. Vein gymnastics can be performed at home according to the doctor’s instructions. Ten minutes of daily exercise is usually enough to relieve the discomfort of heavy legs. In addition, acute discomfort, can be relieved by regular alternating showers and adequate fluid intake of at least 2 liters per day. In some cases, the doctor prescribes compression stockings. These support the return flow of blood from the outside and thus prevent thromboses and embolisms. Depending on the severity of the disease, compression stockings are available in four different compression classes. They differ in the strength of the material and thus in the pressure exerted. Incorrectly fitted compression stockings can cause pressure damage. Therefore, the stockings must be individually measured and fitted. Wearing the stockings regularly will relieve the discomfort of heavy legs.

Outlook and prognosis

In most cases, heavy legs do not need to be treated by a doctor. They occur mainly after overloading or heavy physical and sport activity, being a common symptom. As a rule, the heavy legs disappear after a few days without any particular complications or problem. However, the patient should give the legs a chance to rest and recover. Therefore, heavy legs should definitely refrain from sports and heavy physical work. However, if the legs continue to be strained, inflammation and tearing of the muscles may occur. If the heavy legs also cause pain, they can be numbed with the help of ointments and creams. Shear pills can also be taken. However, the affected person should be careful not to take the pain pills for a long period of time, as they damage the stomach. If the heavy legs do not disappear on their own and hurt a lot, a doctor must be consulted. In this case, it may be another disease, such as diabetes, which must be examined by the doctor.

Prevention

Heavy legs and vein disease in general can be prevented by adequate fluid intake and a balanced and healthy diet. In addition, sufficient exercise and regular physical activity is the best preventive measure against the feeling of heavy legs.

What you can do yourself

Heavy legs are a typical exhaustion syndrome and mostly harmless. Various home remedies and measures help to relax heavy legs. Acutely, the discomfort can be relieved by cooling compresses, cold water and fruit vinegar.Heavy legs accompanied by swelling can be treated with the help of warm applications and by light massages. In addition, it helps to relax the legs by sitting or lying down. Elevating the legs further stimulates blood circulation. Regular exercise strengthens the muscles and veins in the legs, effectively preventing heavy legs. Overweight people should first try to reduce their body weight. Less fatty tissue means less strain on the veins and better blood circulation in the muscles. In addition, it is recommended to wear flat shoes and to walk barefoot as often as possible. In addition, sufficient fluid should be consumed, as water effectively regulates blood circulation in the legs. Tight clothing, especially tight-fitting socks and pants, should be avoided. If the heavy legs persist over a longer period of time, further treatment measures should be discussed with the family doctor.