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Why do legs hurt at night? Should such a problem be consulted with a specialist? Is it a symptom of any disease? Is it enough to go to an internist? The question is answered by the drug. Katarzyna Darecka.
Why do legs hurt at night?
Hello, I’m 38 years old, I don’t have any chronic diseases, I don’t have any major health problems – maybe except spine painsbut that’s another point. In any case, it has been bothering me for some time enough from in the night. It is terribly annoying because, despite being tired, I cannot fall asleep. Not to mention that it is annoying for my husband, because before falling asleep I move my legs nervously trying to ease the discomfort. Sometimes the pain in the legs is accompanied by tingling, sometimes a feeling of heaviness and tearing legs.
Sometimes it helps if I put my legs up on a platform – for example, on a pillow or lean them against a wall for a while. However, the problem arises every night and I don’t know what causes it anymore leg pain at night? I don’t know if this is a problem for any doctor. Maybe it is a symptom of a serious illness? If so, which specialist should I go to? Is an ordinary internist enough?
I admit that I am afraid of the diagnosis, but also the lines to the doctors are very long, and I would like to know what I am dealing with. That is why I decided to ask via the Internet and I believe that I will get professional help here. Thank you in advance and best regards.
The doctor explains the causes of night pain in the legs
Perhaps the underlying condition is Restless Legs Syndrome, characterized by an unmanageable urge to move the legs, usually caused by an unpleasant and uncomfortable feeling in the lower limbs, usually occurring in the evening and at night, while sitting or lying down. Moving your legs gives you a momentary release from an unpleasant feeling.
You should see your doctor when symptoms are bothersome enough to interrupt your sleep and make you feel sleepy during the day, which affects your quality of life. There can be many causes for this condition, but it is often seen as a family history of RLS, and is more common in pregnancy than normal due to hormonal changes. Risk factors for RLS may include peripheral neuropathy, iron deficiency, chronic kidney disease, or spinal cord disease.
Lifestyle changes you can make to prevent restlessness syndrome or to relieve symptoms include:
- Warm baths and massages of the muscles of the lower extremities.
- Use warm or cold compresses on the lower limbs.
- Introduce sleep hygiene, i.e. go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, sleep in a cool, quiet, comfortable environment for at least 7 hours a day.
- Regular, frequent exercise of moderate intensity.
- Avoid coffee and energy drinks.
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Restless legs syndrome is usually a condition that lasts a lifetime, and strategies need to be developed to get us to deal with it and get used to it. You should tell your family and friends about your problem so that they can better understand the behavior in which, for example, during a movie screening or meeting at work, we move our legs or use other methods to deal with unpleasant sensations in the lower limbs. Do not hold back from moving your legs as this can worsen symptoms. Frequently stretch your lower limb muscles and massage them. If you have a mental health problem, you may want to see a mental health professional or look for support groups for people with RLS.
Even though the symptoms do not seem serious, you should see your GP, who will be able to prescribe medications to help with the pain and other unpleasant sensations that lead to excessive leg movement.
– Lek. Katarzyna Darecka
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