Aching legs is mainly caused by poor circulation, which is also referred to as chronic venous insufficiency. This condition is characterized by weakened blood vessel valves that make blood return more difficult. It leads to symptoms like varicose veins and heaviness, tingling and cramps in the legs.
Aching legs that present with other symptoms, such as pain, weakness or difficulty walking may be a sign of other conditions, however, like a muscle problem, arterial insufficiency or diabetic neuropathy. Check-out what else can cause leg pain and how it is treated.
To confirm the underlying cause of tired and aching legs, you should see a doctor for assessment and testing as needed. The doctor may recommend the use of compression stockings, medications or even surgery.
What causes tired and aching legs?
Aching legs can be caused by:
1. Chronic venous insufficiency
Poor circulation, also known as chronic venous insufficiency, causes discomfort and other leg symptoms such as heaviness, tiredness, pain, tingling, cramps and swelling.
This condition is very common, and usually forms varicose veins, which are small vessels that can be visible or deep and not obvious. It is related to family genetics, although some risk factors contribute to its appearance, such as obesity, standing for a long time, wearing high heels or a sedentary lifestyle.
How to treat: Treatment is recommended by an angiologist or vascular surgeon, and is aimed at symptom relief, such as the use of compression stockings, analgesics or medications that promote blood flow. Surgery may be recommended depending on the severity of each case.
2. Peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease is characterized by poor circulation that affects the arteries. It is more serious the chronic venous insufficiency and leads to more serious, intense symptoms, as arteries are responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues.
The most common symptom is pain in the legs when walking, which improves with rest. Other possible symptoms include tired and aching legs, tingling, cold and pale feet and legs, erectile dysfunction and the appearance of wounds that do not heal.
How to treat: The angiologist may recommend healthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking cessation, weight loss, and regular exercise. Optimal management of diabetes or high blood pressure are also essential, as they are major risk factors for this disease. Cholesterol medication and circulation medication may be prescribed, while severe cases may require surgical intervention.
3. Sedentary lifestyle
Lack of physical exercise causes muscle atrophy. This makes it increasingly difficult to perform physical tasks and leads to symptoms like aching legs, weakness, tiredness, cramps and shortness of breath.
People who are bedridden or sit for prolonged periods of time, as well as people with lung, heart or neurological disease, are especially effected by by muscle weakness.
How to treat: to prevent and treat muscle weakness, it is necessary to exercise regularly by participating in physical activities such as walking, water aerobics or weight training. Activity should ideally by first approved by a doctor and guided by a personal trainer.
4. Too much exercise
Excessive physical activity can cause leg fatigue, especially in those who are not used to being on their feet or do not engage in a routine exercise plan.
How to treat: To relieve aching legs from overexertion, you can rest and massage your leg muscles to help relief discomfort and promote a quick recovery.
5. Diabetic neuropathy
When diabetes is not well-managed for many years, it can cause damage to the body's nerves. This is a condition referred to as diabetic neuropathy. This change mainly affects the feet, but can affect the legs, as well as other parts of the body.
The main symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include leg pain, burning,, tingling, a sensation of needles or shocks, or loss of sensitivity in the affected limb. It also leads to wounds that do not heal well, leading to difficulty walking and even amputation in more severe cases.
How to treat: Treatment is guided by an endocrinologist, and involves optimizing blood sugar levels with diabetes medications or insulin. There are other medications that the doctor may prescribe to relieve symptoms, such as analgesics, antidepressants and antiepileptics.
6. Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases, like myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis or inclusion-body myositis, are characterized by malfunctioning nerve cells or muscle inflammation. These condition can atrophy muscles throughout the body, and can lead to fatigue and weakness in the legs.
In addition to aching legs, these conditions can also cause muscle and joint pain, tingling, cramps, stiffness, fever, spasms and difficulty walking.
How to treat: Treatment may include the use of corticosteroids, antivirals and immunosuppressants, which are prescribed by a doctor to relieve inflammation and reduce the body's immune system response.
7. Multiple sclerosis
Aching legs can also be a symptoms of multiple sclerosis, which is a neurological and autoimmune disease in which the immune system itself attacks the myelin sheath that covers the neurons.
Other symptoms of multiple sclerosis include numbness or tingling in the legs or arms, involuntary eye movements, double or blurred vision, muscle stiffness or spasms, and incontinence.
How to treat: Treatment may involve the use of medications to manage symptoms, prevent flare-ups or delay disease progression. Some medications your doctor may prescribe include methylprednisolone and interferon beta, as well analgesics and antidepressants.
Physical activity and motor physiotherapy are also recommended to help manage numbness and pain and strengthen muscles.
Home remedies
Some home remedies for aching legs include herbal teas made with ginger, carqueja or rosemary. You can also massage aching legs with essential oils made from St. John's wort, lavender or lemon, or apply cold compresses.
These home remedies can help reduce muscle swelling, dilate blood vessels, and boost circulation.