Amlodipine, gabapentin, and pregabalin can cause puffy legs and ankles. Birth control pills, certain over-the-counter pain medications, and steroids are a few other culprits. Lifestyle changes, including wearing compression socks, elevating your legs, or lowering your salt intake may help in certain situations.
Calcium channel blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure. These can cause leg swelling. Diuretics. These can cause leg cramps.
Daflon 500 mg - SERVIER is a medicine indicated: for the treatment of venous disorders (heavy legs, pain, impatience).
Medications – certain drugs, including high blood pressure medication (antihypertensives), corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to cause fluid retention. Chronic venous insufficiency – weakened valves in the veins of the legs fail to efficiently return blood to the heart.
Fluid retention
Known medically as peripheral edema, this type of swelling develops when too much fluid collects in the leg tissues. Fluid retention can make legs look puffy and discolored, and it can also make them feel numb, tight, heavy, or itchy.
Occasionally feeling that the legs are too heavy is normal and not cause for concern. However, if the feeling does not go away or occurs alongside other symptoms like pain and swelling, it may be time to see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a calcium channel blocker that's prescribed for high blood pressure and chest pain. One of the most common amlodipine side effects is swelling in the legs. And this may be more likely if you're taking a higher dosage (like 10 mg daily) compared to a lower dosage.
Exercise-The most effective forms of exercise to help combat leg swelling are swimming, walking, and biking.
Calcium channel blockers, which help to manage blood pressure, are a common cause, especially a type called dihydropyridines. The drug amlodipine is an example. Some swelling of the feet and ankles occurs in almost half the people who take calcium channel blockers.
The main cause of heaviness in legs is generally poor blood circulation. Blood circulation problems generally occur in the lower part of your body, especially your legs. This is because the lower section of your body needs to fight against gravity to transfer the blood back up to your heart.
Vitamin D helps your body use calcium. But when you're deficient in this vitamin, your legs may feel weak, sore and heavy. A vitamin E deficiency may be another reason your legs feel heavy after a run.
Causes of Leg Fatigue or Heaviness
They include: Varicose veins: The leg veins become enlarged. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD): Buildup of fat deposits in the artery walls, thus, causing inadequate circulation of blood in the legs. Overtraining syndrome: Excess training or physical activities to improve performance.
Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart doesn't work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs. This causes fluid to build up in your tissues. You may also have swelling in your stomach or notice some weight gain.
Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down. Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart. Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
Potassium rich foods:
Potassium-rich foods such as Sweet potatoes, bananas, Salmon help to reduce the swelling in the feet.
Congestive heart failure.
Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the heart's lower chambers stop pumping blood well. As a result, blood can back up in the legs, ankles and feet, causing edema. Congestive heart failure can also cause swelling in the stomach area.
Swollen ankles can occur as a side effect of some high blood pressure medicines, for example calcium channel blockers.
Muscle stiffness often arises after changing exercise routines, overusing muscles, or being physically inactive for long periods of time. Otherwise, muscle stiffness can be caused by an underlying condition, including myopathy, neuromuscular disorders, and neurologic disorders.
Tight calves can be caused by:
Overuse – sudden start/increase in activity or change in activity. Underuse – not moving enough. Muscle wasting (atrophy) – see underuse but also common in older age. Muscle tears – these would also be acutely painful as well as tight.