Summer is here and no matter how much you LOVE the heat (if you happen to be just a bit as crazy as us), it can sometimes have unpleasant effects on your well-being. One of the most common summer discomforts that affects many of us is the heavy, tired and swollen legs. Surprisingly, every 1 out of 2 women suffers from this syndrome.
But what causes the heavy legs syndrome, how can we recognize it, and which are the most effective ways to deal with it?
Why do we get heavy legs?
The heavy legs syndrome can be a result of many different causes. Here are some of the most common ones.
- Varicose veins – this is a type of veins that look more apparent and larger than normal. This happens due to poor blood circulation when veins lose their elasticity. Some of the factors that can lead to this include obesity, ageing, hormonal imbalances due to perimenopause and pregnancy, lack of physical activity.
- Peripheral arterial disease – a form of cardiovascular disease which causes building up of fat in the walls of the arteries, preventing blood from passing through. Without stable blood circulation, legs become feeling fatigued, crampy and painful.
- Overtraining syndrome – heavy legs are a very common condition in athletes. Many of them, most commonly, runners and cyclists, get it as a result of training excessively without giving their bodies enough time to recover.
- Restless leg syndrome – this is a condition often characterised by an uncomfortable feeling in the legs which occurs while resting and is relieved through movement. While the cause is unknown, experts believe it is a genetic issue or a dysfunction in the ability of the brain to process movement signals.
What are the symptoms?
So how can we recognize the “heavy legs” syndrome?
These are some of the most common symptoms of heavy legs as described by people suffering from the same:
- Pain or discomfort in the legs
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Swollen/Stiff/Fatigued legs
- Feeling of numbness in the legs
- Unusual large veins
- Discolouration in the area
Home remedies for heavy legs
The symptoms of heavy legs can be considerately relieved with some home remedies and treatments. Here are our 4 best tips on dealing with this syndrome.
1. Exercise
Staying active is important to keep your blood pumping through your body and prevent other risk factors such as gaining weight or having high blood pressure. That being said, you should AVOID intense training such as heavy lifting or extreme cardio sessions. However, light activities such as walking or swimming could definitely help you speed up the recovery process.
2. Watch Your Diet
Eating well is also important in combating the syndrome of heavy legs. A healthy diet full of fruits, veggies and grains would give you the necessary nutrients to fight the harmful substances behind this condition. Vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc work effectively as antioxidants, neutralizing the negative effect of the heavy legs syndrome.
3. Wear Comfy Clothing
In order to relieve the pain and discomfort, you should also avoid wearing overly tight clothing. This prevents blood from moving freely through your body increasing the impact of the symptoms. Instead, try wearing looser and comfier clothes, which wouldn’t obstruct the flow of blood and wouldn’t cause additional discomfort.
4. Anti-Heavy Legs Creams
Anti-heavy legs creams can also come really useful to relieve the condition. They are often very effective in fighting inflammation and boosting blood circulation. We can recommend you our Cool Legs Cream, enriched with natural extracts including Horse Chestnut, Witch Hazel and organic Argan Oil. It is designed to deliver immediate relief to heavy, tired and swollen legs while leaving a fresh, cooling sensation.
