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Customer question:

I feel pain in my legs. What could that mean? Where is the problem? Anonymous customer's question

Pharmacist's answer:

Most leg pain results from wear and tear, excessive strain, or damage to the joints, especially bones or muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues. In addition, some types of leg pain can be attributed to problems in the lower parts of the spine. Pain in the legs can also be the result of blood clots, varicose veins, or poor circulation.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

In this condition, your limbs - usually your legs - don't get enough blood. Often this happens because your arteries narrow. As a result, your legs may feel weak, numb, or cramp when you walk. Maybe the feet are cold and have an unusual color. Some people can manage PAB with lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking. If this does not work, your doctor may prescribe medicine to treat this type of problem or to relieve pain, and some people need surgery.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

This is a blood clot in a vein, usually in the thigh or lower leg. It doesn't always cause symptoms, but you may suffer from pain, swelling in your leg, and the like - your leg may be warm to the touch and even red. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms. A DVT can lead to a severe pulmonary embolism – when a clot breaks off and travels to your lungs. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to prevent clots from forming, growing, or breaking.

Peripheral neuropathy

This occurs when the nerves that carry messages to and from the brain are damaged in the body. The most common cause is diabetes, but it can also be caused by other medical conditions, medications, injuries, or infections. If the condition affects the nerves in your legs, they may feel prickly, tingling, numb, and weak. Your doctor will treat the condition that the peripheral neuropathy is causing and give you pain medication if you need it.

Electrolyte imbalance

Electrolytes are sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium minerals that help your muscles work optimally. You lose some through sweat during exercise, and losing too much can make your legs cramp or become weak or numb. This can also happen when you receive treatment such as chemotherapy. Sports drinks with electrolytes, water, and foods with these minerals can help. See your doctor if you have frequent cramps.

Spinal stenosis

This condition occurs when the spaces in the bones of the spine narrow. This puts pressure on the nerves in the area and often causes pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs, and you may also have problems with balance. See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. Medicines can ease the pain, but physiotherapy can also help. If medications don't work, you may need surgery.

Varicose veins

When veins work extra hard to get blood back to your heart, they bulge and look twisted, blue, or dark purple. In addition, they can make your legs feel heavy, burning, throbbing, or cramping. You are more likely to have them as you get older, if you are overweight, pregnant, or if you stand or sit for long periods. Losing weight, exercising, or wearing compression stockings can help with this and prevent varicose veins from forming. If these tactics aren't successful, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.

Sciatica

This leg pain originates from a pinched nerve in the lower spine. The discomfort can range from severe cramping to severe shooting pain, making it difficult to stand or even sit. You may feel it due to a slipped or herniated disc, slipped vertebra, gluteal spasm, or spinal stenosis. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or physical therapy. Surgery may be required.

Arthritis

This common condition affects the joints and causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. When it occurs in the hips, knees, or ankles, walking or doing other daily activities can be difficult. There is no cure, but exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help. Heating pads or ice packs on painful joints can ease pain and swelling. So can over-the-counter painkillers.

Strained muscle

This can often happen to people who play sports. The intense pain starts immediately, and the area is tender to the touch. Cooling the area with cold packs for 20 minutes daily is the most effective treatment. External front wraps the area lightly, elevate it if you can, and rest. Over-the-counter pain relievers can ease the pain.

Zvin

This injury happens when the tissue that connects bone to bone, called a ligament, is stretched or torn. A sprained ankle is a common injury. The injured area swells and hurts; you can not relieve it. The best way to treat it is the R.I.C.E. method - rest, ice (wrapped in a thin towel for about 20 minutes several times a day), compression (wrap the area in a bandage), and elevation (support). See your doctor, who will send you for x-rays to check if the bones are broken.

Tendinitis

Tendons are flexible structures that connect muscles to bones. It can be excruciating if they become inflamed, especially when you move that joint. Tendinitis is a wear and tear injury that can affect the hip, knee, or ankle. As with a sprain, the best way to treat the R.I.C.E. method. See your doctor to rule out other problems. They may also suggest anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

Burning pain in the thigh area

Meralgia paresthetica is a nerve problem that causes painful burning, numbness, or tingling in the upper thigh. You are more likely to have it if you are pregnant, overweight, wear tight clothing, or have a surgical scar in the groin area. Symptoms can be eased with over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, if the pain lasts over two months, your doctor may recommend more potent prescription drugs.

Home self-care can help.

Less intense leg pain often responds well to home treatment. Avoid using the painful leg as much as possible to relieve mild pain and swelling. Instead, apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the affected area thrice daily for 15 to 20 minutes. Elevate your leg whenever you are sitting or lying down. Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

When can leg pain be dangerous?

Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if:

• you have a leg injury with a deep cut or exposed bone or tendon,
• you can't walk or put weight on your leg,
• suffer from pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in the scrotum,
• hear a popping or crunching sound at the time of the leg injury,
• have signs of infection such as redness, warmth, or tenderness, or have a fever above 37.8 degrees C,
• is a leg that is swollen, pale, or unusually cold,
• you have back pain, especially after sitting for long periods, such as on a long car or plane ride,
• swelling of both legs occurs along with breathing problems,
• if you have pain during or after walking,
• you have swelling on both legs,
• your pain is getting worse,
• your symptoms do not improve after a few days of home treatment,
• you have painful varicose veins.

Interesting reading: Spleenitis