Does Leg Pain Interfere with Your Holiday Preparations?

Everyone is in holiday mode.  Whether it be decorating the house, cooking epic holiday meals, or marathon shopping trips, your legs are feeling the strain.  You may find yourself celebrating the holidays with leg pain and swelling.

When standing or sitting for long periods during holiday preparations or celebrations, gravity builds pressure in the lower legs.  Water seeps into the cells surrounding the veins causing swelling.  Although healthy legs may swell, it is important to know your limits as swelling may be a sign of something more serious, especially if there is pain.

Venous reflux is when valves in the leg veins stop working and gravity causes blood to pool in the lower extremities, causing pain.  With the influx of excess blood, the pressure pushes water into the surrounding cells, causing swelling.  Your legs may ache or throb during the day but improve at night or when elevating legs.

Thrombophlebitis, clots caused by inflammation, and deep vein thrombosis, clots in large veins in the legs, are both serious health conditions that cause pain in the legs.  Arterial insufficiency, when the need of the muscles surpasses the blood supply causes pain in the lower legs.

Holiday activities may strain your legs, causing swelling and discomfort.  Although you may assume leg pain is normal, it could indicate more serious venous conditions that requires treatment.  Discuss leg pain and swelling with the doctors at Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A. and enjoy your holidays.

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