Legs Ache and Tingle

Legs are highly sensitive to injuries and medical problems. The reasons behind this is constant physical movement and bearing of the body weight. Having your legs ache and tingle are some of the common symptoms, that most people experience at some point in their life.

Also, manifestations of such uncomfortable symptoms are higher among older people, who are no longer physically active. These problems may be temporary or chronic.

When you analyze leg ache and leg tingling separately, you will identify a number of causes for both the problems. For example, tingling in legs are mostly manifested due to nerve compression or increased pressure from the spinal column to the legs or both.

If a person is experiencing leg ache and tingling frequently, especially during sleep, then he/she may be affected by restless leg syndrome (RLS). Over here, the nerves that control the movement of the legs are affected, resulting in leg ache and tingling. On rare occasions, the hands too can be affected by restless leg syndrome.

Blood circulation problems are a major reason for a tingling sensation in the legs. At times, the veins and arteries that distribute blood to the legs are clogged with fatty deposits and plaque, which deceases blood circulation. This causes legs to ache and tingle. Compression of blood flow, usually seen in heavy smokers, also cause legs to ache and tingle.

Unusual nerve sensations are collectively called paresthesia. Leg ache and tingle can be a result of nerve damage and irritation. Often, people above 40 years of age can experience bone spurs and disc protrusions, which in turn leads to a tingling sensation in the legs. Also, increased pressure in the peripheral nerves causes the legs to ache and tingle.

Peripheral neuropathy is mostly manifested as a complication of diabetes and at times, due to infection and damage of the nerves in the peripheral nervous system. It causes mild to unbearable tingling pain in the legs and feet. Specific medication is available for treating this condition.

Other causes for this condition include multiple sclerosis (a chronic condition of the central nervous system), tumors in the nerves, and side effects of medications. Like any other medical problem, timely diagnosis and treatment is the thumb rule to prevent further complications.

Delaying only worsens the pain and discomfort, which overtime becomes difficult to treat. A neurologist and vascular physician are the best people to diagnose this condition.

The underlying cause can be identified from a physical examination, other symptoms, medical history and overall health condition of the affected person. To rule out the other medical problems, the physician may perform certain laboratory tests like nerve conduction studies, CT scans of the lumbar spine, and non-invasive vascular studies of the leg portion.

Treatment options depend entirely on the diagnostic result or the underlying condition. Hence, identifying the source of the problem is the first step for getting the correct treatment. If necessary, the physician may prescribe correct therapeutic interventions based on the severity and the affected person's health.

 In case, the problem is minor and temporary, you can practice certain home remedies to combat this discomfort.

• Applying ice packs to the leg portion that ache will help in subsiding the painful symptoms. You can wrap ice packs in a clean wash cloth and place it over the affected area for about 10 minutes.

• Go for massage therapy to get relief. Doing so promotes the blood circulation in the affected leg portion and quickens the healing process of the injured muscles (if any).
• Another effective remedy is the application of heat. For this purpose, you can use a hot water bag or a heat rub. Nevertheless, ensure that the temperature is of a manageable range.

By following the aforementioned easy self-care tips, you can get relief from this condition. For pain management, you can also administer over-the-counter, nonprescription pain killers. If there is no improvement, then consult a physician as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.