You come home after an exhausting day at the office, and you feel that your feet do not hold you... literally! The long hours of standing at work turn into weights, that make your feet unbearable and your daily life a torment. This image describes the "tired legs syndrome" that affects a large part of the population.
Specifically, it is estimated that 80% of adults will experience the syndrome at some point in their lives, while more than five out of ten women between 25 and 55 years old suffer from foot problems related to poor blood circulation.
The syndrome affects the bones, nerves, vessels, muscles, and joints of the legs, but in addition to the pathology, there are other factors that affect the body, such as standing or sedentary lifestyle, heat, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, age, fluid retention or some hormonal disorders. However, sometimes leg pain can be caused by other, more serious pathologies, such as rheumatic diseases. If your feet are black or inky, pale, or cold, it is advisable to visit the doctor, who will identify the problem and suggest appropriate treatment.
Tired legs syndrome shows some or all the following symptoms:
- Tired or heavy legs
- Pain
- Burning sensation
- Sensation of numbness in the legs
- Itch
- Cramps
- Swelling in the ankle
- Spider veins
- Varicose
How is the “tired legs syndrome” treated?
The truth is that our feet also need the care and treatment we provide to our bodies. We must rest, relax them, and adopt some changes in our lifestyle, which will relieve them and improve their physical condition.
Follow a healthy diet. Our veins and arteries are stressed when we load our body with various types of junk food, the same applies to the veins and arteries of our legs!
Put action into your life. Immobility and sedentary life are the greatest enemies of the feet, as they make the blood stagnate in the veins, favor its poor circulation in the lower extremities, and contribute to the swelling of the ankles. On the contrary, activities -such as walking, which is the best exercise, cycling, and swimming – are ideal for feet with venous problems. Anyway, when you are active, at whatever age you are, you can ensure the health of your feet, as this facilitates the return of blood flow to the heart.
Avoid heat. Unfortunately, the heat does not favor tired feet, even if you feel a temporary relief under the shower’ s hot water. Avoid sunbathing, sauna, and Turkish bath, which favor swelling of the legs.
Take a footbath. Unlike hot water, the lukewarm footbath with salts rich in magnesium (easily absorbed by the skin, relieving muscle pain, and stimulating blood circulation) is relaxing not only your feet but you also, after a long exhausting day.
Rest your feet. This is the easiest and most inexpensive treatment. Grab every opportunity to raise your legs on one or two pillows and relax.
Perform a rejuvenating massage. Still a good way to relieve your limbs from swelling, cramps, and knots that can have built up during a long day. Ask your partner or better yet indulge in the hands of a professional who will pamper your feet from the soles up to the thighs!
Try stretching. The exercises you know from your fitness routine are the ones you need to relieve your legs. Pull up your legs, and see your thighs and calves relax after a hard day's work.
Wear the proper shoes. We usually blame high heels for foot fatigue, but did you know that many of our flat shoes (such as ballerinas) are unsuitable for a long stand? choose shoes that support the soles well, to prevent pain even before it appears.
Use elastic stockings or tights of Graduated Compression. Especially if you suffer from varicose veins, these socks that tightly embrace your calves, help strengthen blood circulation, relieve the feeling of suffering and fatigue.
Get flavonoid formulations from the pharmacy. Flavonoids have been widely used for decades to maintain the proper functioning of the veins of the lower extremities. Formulations with natural flavonoids reduce leg edema after 12 weeks, improve blood microcirculation after 6 weeks, and effectively treat the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency after 12 weeks. It is enough to daily apply a gel cream, which should be stored in the refrigerator, for maximum results.
