The characteristic pain that radiates to the leg is a signal that indicates that the body is struggling with some serious problem. You can let everything drift, or you can immediately consult a doctor. Why is he pulling his left leg? Perhaps the reason is simple - lack of vitamins, poor nutrition or an uncomfortable posture during sleep. However, this is not a reason to ignore the discomfort. Let's find out the main reasons for which there is a pulling pain in the left leg, and also find out which specialist to contact for an examination.
Vitamin deficiency of minerals
If your left leg hurts and pulls, you may have vitamin deficiency. Please note that the deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body manifests itself more in the fall and spring. For example, with a lack of calcium, bones suffer, which causes discomfort. B vitamins directly affect the state of muscles, especially B1, B2 and B12. But a deficiency of potassium leads to the appearance of puffiness, tissues lose their tone.
Varicose veins of the legs, pelvis and abdominal cavity are the main cause
Pulls his 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.
The reasons for the development of varicose veins: increased loads on the lower extremities (prolonged walking, overweight), genetic predisposition, thinning of the walls of blood vessels, altered hormonal levels. Determining the presence of varicose veins of the legs is not difficult. It is enough to study the surface of the limbs. Swollen peripheral veins protrude under the skin, having a bluish-violet hue. But pelvic varicose veins can be detected only during diagnosis at the medical center.
Fatigue and overwork
The reason for pulling the left leg can be physical exertion. Long exercise with heavy weights, standing work, walking without preliminary preparation - all this causes a famous symptom, in which "twists" the legs. Such an ailment is often accompanied by numbness of the legs (in particular, fingers), cramps and muscle weakness of the lower extremities.
To avoid the appearance of pulling sensations, it is recommended that you regularly devote yourself to sports. At the same time, it is not necessary to visit gyms, because today there are five-minute home training programs that can not only strengthen the muscles of the legs and buttocks, but also improve blood circulation, strengthen blood vessels and relieve sensations - those when the left leg is pulled.
Diabetes
Complications in which it hurts and pulls the left leg occur in 30% of people with diabetes. It is believed that when it comes to the lower extremities, the disease reaches its final stage, and it’s almost impossible to cure this ailment.
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 lumens), then the blood flows poorly to the lower extremities, the tissues do not receive enough nutrition, which causes aching, pulling pain .
Often, diabetes mellitus explains the question "Why is the foot of the left foot drawn?" The disease affects the nerves of the lower extremities, which reduces their sensitivity. Instead of classical pain, a person feels how he “twists” his legs, but he can do nothing about it. Subsequently, the sensitivity of the legs disappears altogether, and it is impossible to trace even minor wounds or tissue damage. This all leads to the development of non-healing lower limb ulcers.
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 may be, though not painful, but obsessive pulling and aching pain. As a rule, there is a feeling of "torsion" of the hip, ankle and knee joints. At the same time, no matter how long such feelings last, this is the main sign of the development of rheumatism.
Please note that the disease affects the joints symmetrically. For example, if you have a knee pulling 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 also appear in the fingers. In megacities, rheumatism affects a much larger number of people than on the periphery. The reason is simple: intoxication of the body due to poor environmental conditions (exhaust, poor water, low-quality products).
Increased load on the lower extremities and hormonal changes
Many face pain in the left leg, but especially pregnant women. Such feelings are caused by the fact that the woman’s body is constantly being rebuilt during the bearing of the baby: the load on the lower extremities increases, a deficiency of minerals and vitamins appears, the nerves of the small pelvis 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 risk it, using folk remedies or independently choosing a vitamin complex. In order not to put the baby at risk, you need to contact a specialist who will prescribe a safe examination, and then prescribe effective drugs suitable for both pregnant women and women during lactation. Statistics prove that this ailment resolves on its own, a few weeks after birth.
Injuries
Injuries to the lower extremities can lead to feelings when “twisting” the left leg. These include fractures of varying degrees, and bruises, and sprain. Drawing pain can occur immediately after limb damage, with slight swelling, discoloration of the skin, and the appearance of seals. Often, damage to muscles, ligaments and joints can be accompanied by unpleasant sensations 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 completely cured, helps. It is important to avoid stress on the lower limbs and give them rest as often as possible.
Neoplasms
Cysts and tumors can cause unpleasant pulling sensations, in particular in the left leg. Such neoplasms can be both benign (removed surgically, resolved with the help of medications), and malignant, affecting the bone and muscle tissue of not only the lower extremities, but also the whole body. A major 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 after the appearance of the first unpleasant sensations. 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 mellitus, hormonal imbalance.
Who to contact
Do not ignore this symptom, but you should immediately consult a specialist. First of all, to a 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 collected data, the therapist will be able to prescribe the necessary examinations and refer them to a qualified specialist.
It is important to understand that today, due to poor ecology, poor water and food, overwork and regular vitamin deficiency, the risk of developing pathologies increases, so it is best to conduct a diagnosis in a medical institution. Self-medication in this case is not recommended, as this can only hide the pulling sensations, but can not save you from the root cause. At the same time, do not forget about the basic 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 a deficiency of vitamins, walk more often in the fresh air and follow the regimen. These tips are commonplace and beaten, but they act and help to avoid such unpleasant sensations as drawing and aching pain of the lower extremities.