Why do I feel numbness and tingling in my legs? Could this be related to venous disease?
Pharmacist's response:
Frequent episodes of tingling in the legs and feet can be the result of many common causes, such as, but not least, poor circulation. In addition, vein diseases such as deep vein thrombosis, shorter DVT, or even varicose veins can also cause tingling in the legs. The reason is that venous disease disrupts the normal flow of blood throughout the body and can cause the formation of blood clots, further cutting off the blood supply to the nerves.
Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in the so-called deep veins of the legs. GVT can be such a severe health problem that the forming clot presses on the surrounding nerves, and as it worsens, it cuts off the blood supply to the nerves, causing tingling, numbness, and even pain in the leg. In addition, GVT can be a hazardous condition if left untreated. A piece of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs, leading to a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal.
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain may worsen with deep breathing, eating, bending over, coughing or exercise
- Coughing up blood
- Irregular or fast heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness or feeling dizzy
What are the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis?
Symptoms of GVT in the leg are:
- throbbing or cramping pain in one leg (rarely in both legs), usually in the calf or thigh
- swelling of one leg (rarely both)
- warm skin around the painful area
- red or dark skin around the painful area
- swollen veins that are hard or painful to the touch
These symptoms can also occur in the arm or abdomen if there is a blood clot.
How can I prevent deep vein thrombosis and the resulting tingling and numbness?
- maintain a healthy weight
- stay active - regular walks can help
- drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration – if you are dehydrated, you are more likely to have a DVT
- don't sit still for long - get up and move every hour
- don't sit with your legs crossed; when you sit, you can restrict blood flow
- don't smoke - get support to stop smoking
- don't drink a lot of alcohol
How is the treatment going?
You may be given an injection of an anti-clotting medicine (blood thinner) called heparin while you wait for an ultrasound to find out if you have a DVT. Anticoagulant tablets such as warfarin and rivaroxaban are the primary treatment after a possible diagnosis of GVT. You will probably take the tablets for at least three months under the supervision of a personal doctor or specialist.
If anticoagulant drugs are unsuitable, a filter may be inserted into your abdomen in a large vein - the vena cava -. The filter catches and stops the blood clot from traveling to the heart and lungs. Newer treatments involve breaking up and suctioning the clot through a small tube in the vein. You usually need to take anticoagulant medication for a few months after this treatment.
GVT in pregnancy is treated differently. It is treated with anticoagulant injections until the end of pregnancy and until the child is six weeks old.
Can I take Detralex to treat venous disease?
Drug Detralex is an option for treating or relieving pain, as it is used in adults and is intended to treat the symptoms of chronic vein disease.
Interesting reading: Tearing in the legs
Interesting reading: Pains in the muscles of the legs
