Why do I feel my calves are swollen?

Some people will experience swollen calves after walking for a long time, and they will feel hard when pressed by hand. But some people don’t walk much, but still feel swollen calves. What’s going on? There are many aspects to consider when it comes to swollen calves. For example, some elderly people often have this feeling, which is related to catching cold, while others have varicose veins. Regardless of the cause of the problem, it should be improved under the guidance of a doctor.

1. What causes calf pain?

1.1. Cold

Cold stimulation from the external environment, such as low room temperature at night in winter, using a quilt that is too thin during sleep, or exposing legs and feet outside the quilt.

Muscle cramps and soreness caused by cold. Some people, in order to keep cool, soak in cold water for a long time, or sleep in a low-temperature air-conditioned room, or let a fan blow on their legs for a long time, which can cause cold air to enter the body.

1.2. Excessive fatigue

Fatigue, lack of sleep, rest or excessive rest can lead to accumulation of local acidic metabolic products and cause muscle cramps. Walking or exercising for too long, which causes excessive fatigue in the lower limbs, or lack of rest and sleep, can cause lactic acid accumulation. Sleeping and resting too much or too long can slow down blood circulation and cause carbon dioxide accumulation.

Soreness caused by excessive fatigue. For example, walking for too long or exceeding the usual amount of activity, wearing uncomfortable shoes for walking or exercise, especially for female friends, wearing high heels for a long time can easily cause calf pain.

1.3. Lack of exercise

Because you don't exercise regularly, walking will feel like a strong stimulation to your calf muscles, causing the muscles to become tired and sore.

Lactic acid produced by exercise can cause muscle soreness. Extreme sports are typical low-oxygen sports. Unless the heart function is enhanced in stages, it will be harmful to the heart in the long run. Walking and jogging for more than 30 minutes are typical oxygen-rich exercises. Because there is sufficient oxygen, fat can be burned. There is no lactic acid formation.

2. Treatment of calf pain

Applying hot compresses to the sore local muscles can promote blood circulation and metabolic processes, help repair damaged tissues and relieve spasms. The best time for hot towel compress is about 10 minutes. The water temperature should not be too high, about 42℃ to prevent burns.

It can be used in combination with topical analgesics, such as Voltaren Emulgel. Apply directly to the painful area and massage until the affected area feels slightly warm, so that the drug ingredients can be fully absorbed and reach the affected area directly to relieve pain quickly.

Oral vitamin C can promote the synthesis of collagen in connective tissue, help accelerate the repair of damaged tissue and relieve pain. Vitamin E can reduce the accumulation of harmful muscle products (such as free radicals) during exercise, relieve muscle soreness during exercise, and reduce the degree of damage to muscles caused by strenuous exercise.