Friday, August 4, 2017

Do not take your legs lightly!

REDUCED TRAFFIC

The veins of the legs must raise 5 liters of blood from our feet to the heart: it is the venous return. The venous return is regulated by the venous valves which favor the return of blood to the heart while limiting the pressure of gravity. These "anti-reflux" valves, located every 4 to 5 cm, prevent the blood from descending towards the feet.

When the veins lose their elasticity and tone, they dilate and the valves no longer fully fulfill their role causing stagnation of the blood in the legs. A pressure is then created at the level of the wall of the veins which can lead to the appearance of circulatory genes such as a sensation of heavy legs and swelling.


THE MAIN FACTORS FAVORING...

Heavy legs involve 30-40% of the adult population in developed countries. This problem has always been regarded as predominantly female but recent data show that the gap is not as large as it appeared a few decades ago.

Women are nevertheless more prone to problems of circulation through their hormones and pregnancy. Indeed, an overflow of hormones disrupts the circulation back by causing swelling and water retention. But other factors can cause a feeling of heavy legs. Among them:

  • Heredity: If one of your parents has visible and unsightly marks, signs of a poor venous return, you have a 45% risk of having them. If both parents have it, that figure goes up to 90%!
  • Age: Approximately 65% ​​of those over 60 years of age are affected by circulatory disorders.
  • Work: 40% of employees complain of discomfort in the legs. For some professions, this figure can be up to 80%!


¹F.A. ALLAERT (2007). PHLEBOLOGY, 60, No. 3, 232-235.


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