Leg Heaviness
Legs heaviness are described as the legs that feel weighted, stiff, or tired especially at the end of the day, and also in hot weather for no apparent reasons. Determining the actual cause of leg heaviness is important to an effective treatment.
Though some home remedies might relieve the symptoms, a visit to a vein doctor will allow for a full diagnosis and help understand the symptom correctly.
Common Symptoms of Leg Heaviness
Heavy legs are most described as:
Achy
Tired
Crampy
Stiff
Patients with leg heaviness also see other symptoms such as:
Swelling
Bumpiness
Soreness
Skin discoloration
Throbbing pain in one or both legs
Spider veins
Causes of Heavy Legs
Heavy legs can be a sign of a number of conditions:
Varicose Veins or Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Varicose veins are larger, bulging, and twisted veins. As blood flow malfunctions because of damaged/weakened valves, blood starts to pool in the legs.
If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to serious complications such as blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.
Risk factors that increase the chances of vein diseases:
Obesity
Lack of Exercise
Pregnancy
Age
Standing or sitting for prolonged periods
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome describes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. The condition is indicated by the uncomfortable feeling (aching, throbbing, and crawling) in the legs when they are at rest. Until the leg moves, you may feel leg heaviness.
Obesity
Heavy legs can be directly linked to overweight. Having extra weight can put additional pressure on joints, muscles, and tendons in the legs. A person with excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle may be subject to circulation problems. This worsens the heaviness symptom in the legs.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women often experience leg heaviness. This is due to a combination of extra weight, increased blood volume, and hormonal changes.
The extra weight puts more pressure on the legs whilst changes in hormonal levels may increase water retention and reduce elasticity in the veins.
Pregnant women should see a doctor if they have:
Family history of vein disease
increased a lot of weight
Multiple pregnancies
Lead a sedentary lifestyle
When to See a Vein Doctor
It is not uncommon to experience tired heavy legs from time to time, especially after an intensive workout or long periods of sitting or standing.
However, if you feel your legs are frequently heavy or your symptoms are affecting your daily routines, you should definitely find a vein clinic nearby and consult a vein specialist. A board-certified vascular doctor will look at your medical history, examine your symptoms, and do any necessary testing to determine the causes. Everyone experiences the feeling of heavy legs every once in a while. You may have sat too long or worked out too hard.
Book a free vein screening today with our doctor. We have 12 convenient vein centers across South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. Our vein specialists are board-certified and have years of experience in treating varicose veins, spider veins, and other vein-related symptoms. Our vein clinics are well-facilitated with the most advanced minimally-invasive procedures.
