Common leg issues

Many leg issues such as painful, swollen, heavy and tired legs or also varicose veins, (nocturnal) calf cramps and tingling legs can be caused by vein disorders.

Varicose veins - The most common vein disorder is varicose veins. The word "varicose" means "swollen". These bluish blood vessels are the result of dilation and bulging of a normal vein in the superficial vein system. The following factors can cause veins to dilate:

• Thin vessel walls with little in the way of muscle

• High counter-pressure, due to sneezing, coughing, squeezing or straining

• No support from adjacent connective tissue

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) - Chronic venous insufficiency (or weakened veins) is by far the most common cause of leg disorders. In CVI the return of blood from the legs is chronically impaired. In this case venous valves no longer close properly, blood no longer flows to the heart but remains in the legs and is no longer reintroduced into the circulatory system by the muscle pump. The typical symptoms of CVI are tired, heavy, swollen legs, nocturnal leg cramps and a sensation of tension and pain in the legs. If you want to find out if you are at risk of developing leg health issues, or if you are worried about any aches and pains in your legs, then click here to take the leg health test

More about vein disorders

For advice on how to reduce or even avoid leg issues, please click here for steps to healthier legs and treatment options.