Characteristic pain radiating to the leg is a signal that indicates that the body is struggling with some serious problem. You can let everything take its course, or you can immediately consult a doctor. Why is he pulling his left leg? Perhaps the reason is simple - lack of vitamins, malnutrition or uncomfortable posture during sleep. However, this is not a reason to ignore the discomfort. Let's find out the main reasons for the pulling pain in the left leg, and also find out which specialist to contact for an examination.
Avitaminosis, mineral deficiency
If your left leg hurts and pulls, you may have beriberi. Please note that the deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body manifests itself to a greater extent in autumn and spring. For example, with a lack of calcium, bones suffer, which causes discomfort. B vitamins directly affect the condition of the muscles, especially B1, B2 and B12. But potassium deficiency leads to swelling, tissues losetone.
Varicosis of the legs, pelvis and abdomen is the main cause
Drag your left leg, especially at night? Varicose veins cause discomfort. The disease itself is a swelling of the veins, which eventually form nodules. They block the flow of blood to the lower extremities. Due to stagnation of blood, painful sensations arise, which are often accompanied by aching, pulling pain.
Causes for the development of varicose veins: increased stress on the lower extremities (long walking, overweight), genetic predisposition, thinning of the walls of blood vessels, altered hormonal levels. It is not difficult to determine the presence of varicose veins in the legs. It is enough to study the surface of the limbs. Swollen peripheral veins protrude under the skin, having a bluish-purple hue. But pelvic varicose veins can only be detected during diagnostics at a medical center.
Fatigue and overwork
The reason for pulling the left leg may be physical activity. Prolonged exercise with heavy weights, standing work, walking without prior preparation - all this causes the famous symptom in which the legs "twist". Such an ailment is often accompanied by numbness of the legs (in particular, fingers), cramps and weakness of the muscles of the lower extremities.
To avoid the appearance of pulling sensations, it is recommended to devote yourself to sports regularly. At the same time, it is not necessary to visit gyms, because today there are five-minute home workout programs that allownot only strengthen the muscles of the legs and buttocks, but also improve blood circulation, strengthen blood vessels and get rid of sensations - those when pulling the left leg.
Diabetes
Complications in which the left leg hurts and pulls occur in 30% of people with diabetes. It is believed that when it comes to the lower extremities, the disease reaches the final stage, and it is almost impossible to cure this disease just like that.
The reason why the left leg is pulled with diabetes is simple: the disease affects the development of atherosclerosis (cholesterol deposition, thinning of the walls of blood vessels, narrowing of the gaps), then the blood does not flow well to the lower extremities, the tissues do not receive enough nutrition, which is why there is aching, pulling pain.
Often, diabetes explains the question "Why is the foot of the left leg pulling?". The disease affects the nerves of the lower extremities, which reduces their sensitivity. Instead of classic pain, a person feels how he "twirls" his legs, but he cannot do anything about it. Subsequently, the sensitivity of the legs disappears altogether, and it is impossible to trace even minor wounds or tissue damage. All this leads to the development of non-healing ulcers of the lower extremities.
Rheumatism
Rheumatism of the lower extremities is another reason why the thigh of the left leg, foot or calf muscle is pulled. This disease is caused by an infection that affects the joints and tissues of the legs. That is why the main symptom can be, though not painful, but obsessive pulling and achingpain. As a rule, there is a feeling of "torsion" of the hip, ankle and knee joints. It does not matter how long such sensations continue - this is the main sign of the development of rheumatism.
Note that the disease affects the joints symmetrically. For example, if you have a pulling knee on your left leg, this sensation may also occur on your right. Basically, rheumatism has a negative effect on large joints, but often unpleasant sensations appear in the fingers. In megacities, a much larger number of people suffer from rheumatism than in the periphery. The reason is simple: intoxication of the body due to poor environmental conditions (exhaust, bad water, low-quality products).
Increased load on the lower limbs and changes in hormonal levels
Many are faced with a pulling pain in the left leg, but in particular this ailment affects pregnant women. Such sensations are caused by the fact that the body of a woman is constantly rebuilding during the bearing of a baby: the load on the lower limbs increases, a deficiency of minerals and vitamins appears, the pelvic nerves are affected, and the hormonal background changes. All this leads to such sensations as pulling and aching pain, cramps, numbness of the foot and toes, swelling and varicose veins.
In this case, you should not take risks using folk remedies or choosing a vitamin complex on your own. In order not to put the baby at risk, you need to contact a specialist who will prescribe a safe examination, and thenand prescribe effective drugs suitable for both pregnant women and women during lactation. Statistics prove that this ailment goes away on its own, a few weeks after childbirth.
Injuries
Injuries to the lower extremities can lead to feeling when "twisting" the left leg. These include fractures of varying degrees, and bruises, and sprains. Drawing pain can occur immediately after damage to the limb, while there is always a slight swelling, discoloration of the skin and the appearance of seals. Often, damage to muscles, ligaments and joints can be accompanied by discomfort from 2-4 days to several weeks. With minor injuries, bandaging, taking painkillers and bed rest, in which the leg will be completely immobilized until it is completely cured, helps. It is important to avoid putting stress on the lower limbs and rest them as often as possible.
Neoplasms
Cysts and tumors can cause uncomfortable pulling sensations, particularly in the left leg. Such neoplasms can be either benign (removed surgically, resolved with the help of medications) or malignant, affecting bone and muscle tissue not only of the lower extremities, but of the entire body. The main symptom, such as "torsion" of the legs and aching pain in the joints, may indicate that oncology is developing. In this case, it is best to contact a specialist immediately afterappearance of the first discomfort. Often a tumor is found on the hip and knee joint.
Tumors can appear due to injuries (bruises, fractures, frostbite), due to physical exertion (in professional athletes), due to infectious diseases, diabetes, hormonal imbalance.
Who to contact
You should not ignore this symptom, but you should immediately consult a specialist. First of all, to the therapist, who, after collecting an anamnesis and questioning, will refer you either to a neurologist, or to an orthopedist, or to an oncologist. It all depends not only on the location of the pain, but also on the lifestyle that the patient leads. Based on the data collected, the therapist will be able to prescribe the necessary examinations and refer you to a qualified specialist.
It is important to understand that today, due to poor ecology, poor-quality water and food, overwork and regular beriberi, the risk of developing pathologies increases, so it is best to diagnose in a medical institution. Self-medication in this case is not recommended, as this can only hide the pulling sensations, but does not save you from the root cause. At the same time, do not forget about the elementary rules of hygiene, about sports, about proper nutrition.
Exercise, especially if you have a sedentary lifestyle, give preference to nuts, fruits and vegetables, donate blood regularly to prevent vitamin deficiency, walk more often in the fresh air and follow the regime. These tips are banal and hackneyed, but theyact and help to avoid such unpleasant sensations as pulling and aching pain in the lower extremities.
