When should I worry about achy legs?

See your health care provider as soon as possible if you have: Symptoms of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C). A leg that is swollen, pale or cooler than usual. Calf pain, especially after sitting for a long time, such as on a long car trip or plane ride.

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What are aching legs a symptom of?

Leg pain is a symptom with many possible causes. Most leg pain results from wear and tear or overuse. It also can result from injuries or health conditions in joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine.

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Are aching legs serious?

Leg Pain Could Indicate Vein or Artery Disease

Often, leg pain is misdiagnosed as simply muscle aches or arthritis. The reality is leg pain and cramps may be signs of a more serious underlying disease; therefore, you should discuss your leg challenges with a vascular specialist.

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What to do when your legs are aching badly?

Home Care
  1. Rest as much as possible.
  2. Elevate your leg.
  3. Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days.
  4. Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
  5. Take over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

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Why do I have heavy aching legs?

What causes heavy legs? The sensation of heavy legs, also known as venous insufficiency, is related to poor circulation. It occurs when blood flow from the legs to the heart is impaired, causing the heaviness.

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11 Causes of Achy Legs

44 related questions found

How do you know if leg pain is heart related?

Peripheral artery disease that causes leg pain can be indicative of heart issues. People that have PAD are at a higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack. This could be a sign that the coronary arteries are blocked and the blood flow is reduced.

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Why are my legs tired and aching?

Too much exercise or inadequate stretching of the muscles can lead to cramping in the legs. Cramping can range from a small tic to severe pain, and the legs may feel tired and heavy. People with cramping should rest until it goes away. If cramping persists or occurs frequently, they should seek medical help.

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What is vascular leg pain like?

Vascular pain often feels like an uncomfortable heaviness or throbbing sensation. It can also feel like an aching sensation. It usually affects your legs and can be worse with walking or exerting yourself.

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What are usually the first signs of fibromyalgia?

What are the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia?
  • Pain and stiffness all over the body.
  • Fatigue and tiredness.
  • Depression and anxiety.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration.
  • Headaches, including migraines.

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What are the warning signs of clogged arteries in legs?

The narrowing of the arteries causes a decrease in blood flow. Symptoms include leg pain, numbness, cold legs or feet and muscle pain in the thighs, calves or feet. The arteries which supply blood to the leg originate from the aorta and iliac vessels.

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What are the warning signs of clogged arteries?

Dizziness or weakness. Heart palpitations, or sensations of your heart racing or fluttering. Nausea or sweating. Shortness of breath.
...
Your doctor may also use tests that look for signs of atherosclerosis, such as:
  • A weak or absent pulse.
  • A whooshing sound (bruit) in your artery.
  • Low blood pressure in one of your arms or legs.

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What kind of leg pain is associated with heart disease?

If you have plaque buildup in your blood vessels, you may feel pain in your calves when they need blood quickly. That pain is called claudication, and claudication is a symptom of peripheral artery disease, or PAD. Some people describe claudication as an ache; others say it's excruciating.

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Why do I have trouble walking after sitting?

It is not uncommon to feel 'wobbly' or unsteady on your feet after sitting for a long period. It can be due to reduced blood flow, tight muscles and ligaments, fluid pooled in the body's lower extremities, or pins and needles sensations in the feet.

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How long does it take for legs to stop aching?

Usually your muscles will stop aching in 2 to 5 days and you won't need any medical attention. You should be able to ease symptoms yourself.

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Do your legs ache more as you get older?

Yes, often aching joints and muscles are simply the effects of age. As you get older, the natural tendency is for muscles to get smaller and lose some of their strength. Bones also start to get weaker over time.

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Can high blood pressure make your legs ache?

High blood pressure can lead to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), where narrowing of the blood vessels restricts the blood flow to the legs and feet, causing pain.

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What are the 2 most common symptoms of fibromyalgia?

The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
  • Widespread pain. The pain associated with fibromyalgia often is described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three months. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Cognitive difficulties.

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How can I test myself for fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed based primarily on having pain all over the body, along with other symptoms. Currently, there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests for fibromyalgia.

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What are the 19 tender points of fibromyalgia?

Where Are Fibromyalgia Tender Points?
  • Lower neck in front.
  • Edge of upper breast.
  • Arm near the elbow.
  • Knee.
  • Base of the skull in the back of the head.
  • Hip bone.
  • Upper outer buttock.
  • Back of the neck.

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How do I know if my leg pain is poor circulation?

Poor circulation can cause a number of symptoms, including: Muscles that hurt or feel weak when you walk. A “pins and needles” sensation on your skin. Pale or blue skin color.

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How do I know if my leg pain is vascular or muscular?

If you are experiencing lack of circulation, pain, or heaviness in certain areas, you might be having vascular pain. There also may be numbness, weakness, or a tingling feeling in the affected area. This develops when there is interruption in blood flow to a tissue or muscles.

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When I get out of bed I can hardly walk?

As you sleep, the plantar fascia remains still rather than stretching and relaxing as it would if you were awake and moving. Because it doesn't get to stretch, it slowly constricts and becomes tighter. This can make walking in the morning quite painful until the ligament has a chance to loosen up from being active.

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Why does it hurt when I go from sitting to standing?

Back pain can worsen when transitioning from a sitting position to a standing position. This is mainly caused by the rounding of the spine while attempting to stand up, which causes the low back to lift the weight of your body as you manoeuvre.

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Can a blocked artery in the leg cause pain?

The arteries in your legs and feet can get blocked, just like the arteries in your heart. When this happens, less blood flows to your legs. This is called peripheral artery disease (PAD). If your leg arteries are badly blocked, you may develop foot pain while resting or a sore that won't heal.

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