Open wounds on the legs or unhealed sores on the legs are known as leg ulcers. If the leg ulcers are not treated, then they can keep recurring. Most commonly, this condition is caused by poor circulation, but in some cases, it can be attributed to many different ailments. Also, leg ulcers are more common in women. But, leg ulcers can affect both men and women of any age. If leg ulcers are treated early, then they can improve without causing any further complications. Poor circulation is the most common cause of leg ulcers.
This makes sense that you need to control conditions that could lead to poor circulation, such as Raynaud’s disease, diabetes, and hypertension. It is very important to stay well with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It can help you to reduce your weight and this can help to decrease your risk of getting leg ulcers. Also, it is very important to reduce your sodium intake, so you will reduce your risk of leg ulcers. You should always use fresh foods, not packaged. You can read nutrition labels and check for sodium content, so you will reduce your risk of leg ulcers.
Smoking can increase your risk of getting leg ulcers, so if you smoke, you can seek help to quit it. In most cases of leg ulcers, the treatment is very effective in easing the symptoms of leg ulcers. If the leg ulcer is not treated in a time, then it is possible to become infected. In some severe cases of leg ulcers, the infection can spread to the bone. It is very important to talk with your doctor as soon as possible after you have noticed symptoms that bother you.
It is very important to discover the underlying cause for the leg ulcers, so your doctor will be sure what kind of treatment will be best for you. You should always talk with your doctor before you use any kind of medicine or natural treatment no matter how serious is your condition, so you will avoid side effects from them.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of this condition can vary which depends on the cause for it. Often, leg ulcers are painful. But, there are some cases when leg ulcers are present with no pain. This is happening due to the nerve damage from unmanaged diabetes. A lack of pain is a reason why many people who have leg ulcers do not ask for medical help and do not get proper treatment. It is very important to talk with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Generalized pain or heaviness in the legs
- Open sores
- Enlarged veins
- Increasing wound size
- Pus in the affected area
- leg swelling
- Pain in the affected area
Your doctor will make a physical examination in a combination with testing, so he will diagnose your leg ulcers and determine the real cause for it. In many cases, your doctor will be able to differentiate between a leg ulcer and a regular sore just by looking at it. Your doctor will make a lot of tests to determine the right treatment plan for you. Your doctor will make CT scans, MRI scans, X – rays, or noninvasive vascular studies using ultrasound. You should elevate your legs whenever possible, so this can help you to deal with the symptoms of leg ulcers.
You should lose weight if you are overweight or obese, so this can help you to deal with the symptoms of leg ulcers. You should wear compression stockings at all times during the day if you suffer from leg ulcers, so this can help you to feel better. For any kind of treatment, you need to talk with your doctor, because he or she can help you with the best medicine or natural treatment for you.
Causes:
Your chances of developing leg ulcers are increasing with the age. They are often hereditary. If your parents had leg ulcers, then you have more chances of developing them. Also, there can be other causes for leg ulcers, such as
- Infections
- Poor blood circulation
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Increased pressure in the legs
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
Varicose veins, which are swollen and visible veins, are often associated with leg ulcers. Often, leg ulcers are happening as a complication of the untreated varicose veins. But, these two conditions are not always found together.
