Annabelle Iglesias, Jellyfish France
We speak of heavy legs when the lower limbs are felt to be heavy, tense and very sensitive to fatigue. Sensations that manifest themselves especially in the calves and in hot weather. Here are the possible causes.
venous insufficiency
The sensation of heavy legs is caused by a stagnation of circulation in the lower limbs, also called venous insufficiency. Concretely, the veins located in the legs no longer properly return blood to the heart. This dysfunction can also slow the circulation of lymph, a whitish liquid transported by the lymphatic system. This is called veno-lymphatic insufficiency.
Note: the feeling of heavy legs is the first stage of chronic venous disease.
Factors that favor the phenomenon of heavy legs
Certain factors favor the appearance of venous insufficiency. First there is heredity. People who have chronic venous disease in their family are more likely to have it too. The risk increases with the number of affected family members. So, if both of your parents suffer from venous insufficiency, you are likely to suffer from it too. Being a woman is also a contributing factor. Venous insufficiency problems are more common in women. The risk increases during the premenstrual period but also during pregnancy, when the uterus grows and compresses the abdominal veins. Note that the risk of chronic venous disease increases with the number of pregnancies.
The feeling of heavy legs can also be triggered or aggravated by heat, trampling and prolonged and repeated standing. These factors lead to dilation of the veins which slows down venous return. This phenomenon is also observed in overweight or obese people. More rarely, the feeling of heavy legs can be the symptom of a potentially serious disease that affects the heart, liver or kidneys.
How to relieve heavy legs?
It is possible to relieve the feeling of heavy legs and the swelling of the ankles and feet by practicing a suitable physical activity to stimulate blood circulation. Walk at least 20 minutes a day and take the stairs as much as possible rather than elevators and escalators. Walking contributes to a better blood circulation under the effect of the crushing of the veins of the arch of the foot and the muscular contractions of the calves which act as a natural pump.
In addition to walking, swimming, dancing, gymnastics or cycling are sports that can relieve heavy legs. Finally, in the evening, don’t hesitate to massage your legs with a “cold effect” cream, working your way up from the ankles to the knees. The cold shower on the legs is also a good way to quickly relieve the feeling of heavy legs.
How does venous insufficiency evolve?
In the majority of cases, the feeling of heavy legs is temporary and benign. But sometimes, venous insufficiency can progress to chronic venous insufficiency and result in varicose veins in the legs, permanent edema or major skin disorders (pigmented brown areas, leg ulcers, contact eczema).
In this case, consult a doctor quickly.