Most people’s legs get tired and hurt at some point in their lives, usually when standing or sitting for prolonged periods, but the discomfort soon disappears once the legs are resting or light.
However, for those whose occupation requires them to be on their feet for most of the day, for example, merchants and hairdressers, or who demand they be sitting while working, such as bus drivers, taxis and trucks, the inconvenience may be more serious and lasting. This condition is called tired leg syndrome or poor circulation in the legs.
Men and women seem to be affected equally and the number increases with age. It is estimated that half of women over 45 have tired and sore legs, and in 7 out of 10 of those who are affected, the pain is so severe that it interferes with their daily lives.
Likewise, Tired and sore legs are an effect of poor circulation in the legs. When blood is pumped around the body, it is returned to the heart through the veins. Because the heart is in a higher position in the body than the legs, the blood in the legs must be pumped against gravity to reach the heart.
Similarly, the contraction of the muscles of the legs when they move around acts like a pump, squeezing the veins and pushing the blood upwards. As the blood moves more and more upwards with each contraction of the leg muscles, it is prevented from falling back down when the muscles relax by small unidirectional valves in the veins.
During prolonged periods of inactivity, for example, when standing or sitting in the same position for a long time, The muscles of the legs do not contract hard enough or often enough to force the blood up.
As a result, blood builds up in the veins of the legs, preventing them from draining the tissues of the leg. This can cause a feeling of heaviness or tension in the legs, causing them to feel pain and fatigue.
Therefore, the first symptoms that appear are uncomfortable sensations in the feet and legs towards the end of the day. Symptoms are usually relieved by rest.
The discomfort can turn into cramps in the muscles of the legs, cold feet or a feeling of tension in the legs that makes them feel heavy, tired and sore. The ankles can swell and the skin of the legs can sting or discolour, even cuts or scratches on the legs can be slow to heal.
If the leg pain gets worse, it is best to visit your trusted doctor to take the right treatment, either the consumption of analgesics, as well as massage the entire limb to stimulate circulation, refresh and soothe tired legs and relax tension.
ALFA