Aching Calves
All About Aching Calves
After exercising, aching calves can occur. Many runners and bicyclists are used to having these types of pains but they can happen for other reasons. A few of these things should be a concern to the sufferer, especially if they have done nothing to strain the muscle area. A sudden problem with aching calves can be a symptom of a bigger medical condition.
The calves are located directly under the back of the knee. They are the thicker part of the lower half of the back of the leg, right between the ankle and knee. When people experience aching calves, they feel a dull pain, sensitivity and tenderness in that area. This is a common problem but it should be carefully watched because certain illnesses associated with this condition can be dangerous.
We know that excessive exercise can cause aching calves but so can strains or sports related injuries. It is possible to strain a muscle due to over exertion and this can be very painful. A sharp blow to the calf can produce swelling, bruising and pain. These conditions can usually be easily taken take of just by resting the area. Muscle aches and strains in most cases, do not cause permanent damage. But other diseases associated with aching calves can.
Peripheral artery disease can make the calves swollen and painful and it can have a negative effect on the whole leg area. This occurs when there is a blockage in an artery that slows down blood flow. While exercising or even walking quickly, a person suffering from PAD can feel a great deal of pain because the calf muscles in the legs do not have ample blood flow. Many people who suffer from diabetes also can have PAD. The symptoms of this condition include leg pain and wounds that heal very slowly. If the condition is severe, the leg can become cold to the touch and the gangrene may also set in. People who have diabetes and PAD may not know that the pain is a warning sign and it may be mistaken for the burning pain in the legs associated with diabetes.
Varicose veins or spider veins can cause pain and aching calves. This happens when there is increased pressure from walking on the veins in the legs. The veins become visible on the skin and they sometimes even appear elevated. For most people suffering from varicose veins, their only concern might be that they are not exactly attractive. But for others it can indicate a problem with the circulatory system. In this case, the veins are usually very pronounced, elevated and painful. Spider veins are a considered the same condition but the veins are smaller and are similar to the tiny veins that can appear on the face. People who are at the highest risk for varicose veins are the elderly and pregnant women.
A bacterial infection called cellulitis can cause pain in the calf and leg area. There are always bacteria that occupy the skin. When there is a break in the skin like a scratch or puncture, certain types of bacteria can enter the wound. Staphylococcus is the most common and it causes red irritated skin that is hot to the touch and very painful. Some types of insect bites can also cause this condition. The brown recluse spider is one of them. Cellulitis can start out as a simple rash but over time and very quickly it can turn into blisters and sores. It is recommended that anyone who has symptoms of cellulitis should be seen by a doctor. In some cases, cellulitis can damage the tissue beyond repair and gangrene can set in around the infected area.