Herbal Remedies: Leg Pain

 Causes

There are several hundred (even thousands) reasons why leg pain occurs.

Some of the general reasons may be:

Trauma: the most obvious cause of leg pain.

Falls, near falls, and twisting: these injuries can damage bones, muscles, and joints of the leg or a combination of all three.

Back pain: due to injury, can inflame the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica. This is a pain that radiates down the leg and follows the path of one of the many nerve roots that leave the spinal cord and make up the sciatic nerve.

Leg pain can also be caused due to fractures, shin splints, sprains, strains, blood clots, bleeding, etc.

Symptoms

1. Depending on the cause and the individual situation, symptoms of leg pain may have a wide range of presentation. The pain may be described in a variety of ways, including sharp, dull, heavy, aching, or burning. It may be constant or intermittent or made better or worse with activity or rest. There may be other associated symptoms, depending on the cause.

2. Pain from muscles and joints often can be felt or palpated, meaning that touching the area reproduces the pain. However, the pain may radiate from the source to another location.

3. Patients who suffer from claudication develop pain with exercise, but as the blood vessels narrow over time, the amount of activity required to bring on the pain decreases. Also, this type of pain tends to resolve with rest. As the disease progresses, at some point, the patient may complain of pain at rest, not requiring exercise or activity to bring it on.

4. Those who have a blood clot causing ischemia (decreased oxygen supply to the tissues) tend to have an acute onset of pain that is intense and involves the whole extremity below the area of the arterial blockage. It may be associated with numbness or paralysis sometimes the body can dissolve the clot on its own and as the blood supply is restored, the pain resolves.

5. People with neuropathy tend to describe their pain as a purging sensation while those who have sciatica describe intense sharp pain. Sciatica may also cause changes in sensation along the path of the inflamed root.

6. Nighttime symptoms of pain and leg cramps may be associated with restless leg syndrome, a sleep disorder.

Remedies

1. A warm water bath of Epsom salt -- rich in magnesium, is a good pain reliever. This is very helpful for arthritis and also relieves leg pain.

2. One of the useful home remedies for leg pains.

3. A good balance of work and rest is very necessary.

4. Take enough rest as it relieves leg pain.

5. Rubbing lobelia paste also provides relief from leg pain. This is one of the best home remedies for leg pains.

6. Vinegar is also great for relieving leg pain, controlling weight, chest burns, injuries of joints, and bad breath.

7. A cloth pad thoroughly wet in vinegar solution when applied firmly to the joints, foot, or other part of the leg relieves leg pain and discomfort.

8. Eating hard shell nuts also relieves leg pain.

9. Gently massage your using hot pads as it provides relief to leg pain.

10. Massaging with oils like mustard oil, and coconut oil gives fast relief from severe leg pain. One of the useful home remedies for leg pains.

11. Regular warm oil massage in a downward direction relieves leg pain. Stretch your leg gently and massage the strained muscles using warm oil, it gives relief from pain in joints, knees, leg pain, calf muscles, and hips.

12. You can also take one tablespoon of methi, which is a very effective vegetable and helps in curing various diseases. Dry methi leaves under the sun for 4-5 days. Mix it in a glass of water. Take this mixture in the early morning. This is one of the important home remedies for leg pains.

13. Rub your feet using ice blocks as they soothe the tired muscles.

14. A warm water bath relaxes your overall body and mind, so whenever you feel tiredness and pain in your leg. go for a warm water bath, this will unstrain the tired muscles.

15. Drink lots of water -- It gives good strength to the bones and muscles.

16. Regular exercise and yoga also relieves pain.

Precautions

1, Do not climb steps frequently.

2. Avoid sitting on the floor.

3. Exercise regularly.

4. Do yoga.

5. Increase your intake of calcium in your diet.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "V"-"Z"

 A vaccine is a biological preparation of a weakened or dead pathogen (bacterium or virus) or its structure that is administered to provide immunity by stimulating the production of antibodies.

Warts are small, contagious, solid, rounded lumps of tissue growth caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) on the skin and mucus membranes. Warts typically occur on the hands, feet, and genital areas.

Yellow Fever, also known as Yellow Jack, is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by flavivirus, an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitos of the genera Aedes, especially a aegypti, and haemagogus. It is characterized by high fever, headache, chills, and often gastrointestinal hemorrhaging. The damage to the liver, causing jaundice, leads to yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

Zoonosis refers to an infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to human beings, with the animal being a natural reservoir for the infectious agent. Examples of zoonotic diseases include rabies, anthrax, plague, etc.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "T"

 Tetanus commonly called Lockjaw, is a fatal disease affecting the central nervous system. Tetanus is caused by a toxin (tetanospasmin) produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani that typically infects the body through a deep wood. The toxin affects the nerves controlling muscle activity especially those of the neck and jaw, and the symptoms associated with it include jaw or neck stiffness and difficulty in swallowing.

Thrush is a contagious fungal infection of the oral cavity caused by candida albicans that most often occurs in infants and children. It is characterized by small whitish eruptions on the mouth, throat, and tongue, accompanied by fever colic, and diarrhea.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis or tubercle bacillus that mainly affects the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body. It is characterized by a cough, fever shortness of breath, weight loss, and the appearance of tubercles or tiny lumps and caseous necrosis in the tissues of the lungs.

Typhoid fever is an acute bacterial infection caused by salmonella typhi which enters the body through food and water contaminated by feces from an infected individual. It is characterized by symptoms like fever, chills, a rash called red spots on the abdomen and chest, headache, ulcerations of the intestinal wall, and abdominal pain.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "S"

 SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a contagious viral disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-Associated Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) causing dry cough and shortness of breath.

Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei that burrows into the skin to lay eggs causing severe itching, especially at night.

 Scarlet Fever is an acute contagious bacterial infection common in children, caused by streptococcus. Pyogenes Group A Streptococci), is characterized by severe sore throat, fever, bright red rash (scarlet) on the neck and upper trunk that spreads rapidly, and pale tongue coated with red spots (strawberry tongue).

Serum is the clear yellow liquid component of clotted blood. The absence of fibrinogen or the other clotting factors distinguishes serum from plasma. It consists of electrolytes and proteins like antibodies which are useful in many diagnostic processes.

A skin prick test is done to detect allergy sensitivity or infection. Small amounts of purified allergen extracts are pricked into the skin of the arm or upper back and observed for signs of an allergic reaction. A positive reaction is indicated when the pricked skin becomes red and itchy.

A spinal tap or lumbar puncture is a procedure performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic testing, particularly for infections in the central nervous system, spinal cord tumors, and cancer in the CNS. The spinal tap is collected from the spinal canal using a special needle.

Spongiform encephalopathy, also called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, is a rare and fatal degenerative brain disease caused by prions. This infection is characterized by progressive mental deterioration, dementia, encephalopathy, and coma.

Staphylococci are spherical Gram-positive bacteria that occur in grapelike clusters. They are the normal flora of the skin and upper respiratory tract. The pathogenic species can cause illness through direct infections or through the toxins they produce.

A stem cell is a basic cell in the body with the ability to divide through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types of more than 200.

Strep throat is an infection of the throat caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria affecting the mucus lining of the pharynx, strep throat can develop into pneumatic fever or other serious conditions if left untreated.

Streptococci are spherical Gram-positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains, including many erythrocytolytic, and pathogenic species streptococci constitute part of the normal flora of the mouth, skin, intestine, and upper respiratory tract. Pathogenic species cause infections like strep throat, erysipelas, and scarlet fever.

The structure is an abnormal narrowing of passage or duct in the body (e.g., urethra, esophagus, ureter) due to the inflammation, growth of tumors, and scarring of pressure from the surrounding organs.

Swine Flu, or H1N1 Flu, is a respiratory illness caused by the H1N1 Flu virus, a strain of the Influenza virus that usually affects pigs, but may also affect humans. The symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu -- fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue.

Syphilis is a chronic venereal or sexually transmitted disease caused by spirochaete treponema pallidum. The disease is either congenital or acquired through sexual contact or contaminated needles and progresses through three stages -- local formation of chancres, ulcerous skin eruptions, and systemic infection leading to general paresis.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "R"

 Rabies is a deadly viral disease spread through the saliva of infected animals like dogs, that affects the central nervous system. Once the virus enters the brain, it causes acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The disease is characterized by aggressiveness, extreme thirst, excessive salivation, and extreme paralysis leading to death.

Red blood cells or erythrocytes are biconcave disc-shaped cells that contain hemoglobin, responsible for transporting oxygen to, and carbon dioxide away from, all parts of the body.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "P"

 Pneumonia is the acute inflammation of the lungs leading to severe respiratory problems and is caused by bacteria, amoebae, viruses, fungi, parasites, or injury to the lungs.

Phagocytes are immune cells that ingest and destroy microorganisms and foreign matter by cellular digestion or the process known as phagocytosis.

Phagocytosis is an immune response produced by the body, wherein the white blood cells engulf and destroy microorganisms and other foreign particles.

Pharyngitis, commonly known as sore throat, is inflammation of the pharynx caused by viral or bacterial infection and characterized by pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Plague is an infectious and often fatal disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia Pestis. It is primarily a disease of rodents transmitted to humans by the bite of infected rodents especially rats and the fleas that feed off them. Plague takes three forms: bubonic--the mildest, has characteristic swollen lymph nodes (buboes); Pneumonic--plague has extensive lung involvement and is spread from person to person from infected droplets expelled during coughing; and Septicaemic--plague where bacteria enters the bloodstream, which is almost invariably fatal.

Pleuritis is the inflammation of Pleuria, the membrane that surrounds the lungs. The causes include infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Pneumococci is a general term used to refer to streptococcus pneumoniae, a non-motive Gram-positive bacterium that is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia, associated with meningitis and other infectious diseases.

Polio or infantile paralysis is an acute and contagious viral disease affecting the central nervous system. Caused by poliovirus, the disease primarily affects children causing asymmetric paralysis, most often in the legs.

Pseudomonas is a rod-shaped gram-negative bacteria that belongs to the family Pseudomonads, commonly found in soil and water, Pseudomonas is an occasional pathogen of plants and also a normal flora of the human skin which can turn pathogenic when it exploits some break in the host defenses.

Pus is a thick yellowish-white fluid formed in infected tissues, which contain dead white blood cells, tissue fluid, bacteria, and other cellular debris.

A pustule is a tender, red, elevated, pus-containing inflamed lesion resembling a blister that can rupture easily.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "O"

 Oedema is the swelling that results from excessive accumulation of fluid in cells, tissue, spaces, or body cavities.

Otitis media is an infection in the middle ear that is located behind the eardrum. More common in children than adults, the infection is marked by inflammation and accumulations of fluid in the middle ear, bulging of the eardrum, and pain in the ear.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "N"

Necrosis refers to the death of cells or tissue due to injury, disease, or interrupted blood supply.

Nodules are inflammatory lesions formed below the skin surface that are hard and painful.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "M"

 Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium spread through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The parasites multiply within red blood cells, causing symptoms that include lightheadedness, shortness of breath, fever, chills, nausea, and an enlarged spleen.

Macrophages are phagocytic white blood cells that ingest foreign materials, such as pathogens, in an immune response. They also secrete substances that stimulate other cells of the immune system, like lymphocytes.

A mast cell is a cell in the connective tissue with Basophilic granules. They release Hepain and Histamine during allergic reactions or inflammation.

Measles is an infection caused by paramyxovirus, marked by itchy rashes that often start on the head and move down the body. The early signs of measles include high fever, cough, and nasal discharge accompanied by Koplik's spots.

Meninges are very fine, tough, and durable membranes that line the skull and bones of the vertebral canal.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranous covering of the central nervous system, due to bacterial or viral infection that spreads into the cerebrospinal fluid, causing headache, fever, and rigidity of the neck muscles.

Monoclonal antibody is a term used to refer to any of the highly specific, identical antibodies, mass-produced in the laboratory from a clone obtained by fusing a B-cell with a tumor cell.

Mumps is a viral infection caused by paramyxovirus affecting salivary glands. it causes inflammatory swelling of parotid glands associated with fever, illness, and pain during chewing/swallowing.

Myringotomy is a surgical procedure to drain the fluid accumulated in the middle ear by an incision in the eardrum.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "L"

 Leprosy is a slow-progressing infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium Leprae, mainly affecting the peripheral nerves and skin. Also known as Hansen's Disease, it is characterized by ulceration of skin, nodules, and loss of sensation with eventual paralysis. The progressive debilitation leads to amputation of affected parts.

Leukocytes, also called white blood cells, are the cells that help the body fight infections and diseases.

Tetanus, commonly called Lockjaw, is a fatal disease affecting the central nervous system. Tetanus is caused by a toxin (Tetanospasmin) produced by the bacterium Clostridium Tetani that typically infects the body through a deep wound. The toxin affects the nerves controlling muscle activity especially those of the neck and jaw, and the symptoms associated with it include jaw or neck stiffness and difficulty in swallowing.

Lumbar puncture or spinal tap is a procedure performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic testing, particularly for infectious in the central nervous system, spinal cord tumors, and cancer in the CNS. The spinal fluid is collected from the spinal canal using a special needle.

Lymph glands or lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures found at intervals throughout the lymphatic system. The lymph node can trap cancer cells, bacteria, or viruses that are traveling through the body, besides eliminating foreign substances from the lymphatic fluid.

Lymph nodes or lymph glands are small bean-shaped structures found at intervals throughout the lymphatic system. The lymph node can trap cancer cells, bacteria, or viruses that are traveling through the body, besides eliminating foreign substances from the lymphatic fluid.

Lymphadenopathy is the enlargement of the lymph nodes, usually indicative of infections or autoimmune diseases.

Lymphatic are channels in the lymphatic system similar to blood vessels that transport lymph or tissue fluid from the body and eventually drain back into the bloodstream.

Lymphocytes are white blood cells that help the body fight infection and disease. The two main types of lymphocytes are B cells and T cells. B cells make antibodies, while T cells attack the body cells that are cancerous or infected.

Infectious Deseases Starting with "K"

 Kaposi's Sarcoma is a cancerous tumor arising from blood vessels, usually in the skin, forming skin lesions, or mucus membranes that line the mouth, nose, or anus. They also spread to other organs in the body, such as the lungs, liver, or intestinal tract. It is the most common form of cancer in AIDS patients.

Keloid is the proliferative growth of the scar tissue in the skin resulting in a thick pinkish scar on the surface after an injury, trauma, or burns, accompanied by pain and itching.

Keratin is a fibrous, insoluble structural protein forming the principal constituent of the outermost layer of hairs, nails, and skin. 

Klebsiella is a rod-shaped bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae, with a prominent polysaccharide capsule. These organisms cause pulmonary, intestinal, and urinogenital infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, etc.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "I"

 Influenza, generally referred to as Flu, is an infectious respiratory disease. It is caused by certain strains of the Influenza virus and is characterized by fever, headache, muscular pain, and weakness.

Antigens or immunogens are substances that can stimulate an immune response by producing antibodies against it. Antigens can be proteins or polysaccharides of microorganisms, toxins, foreign blood cells, cells of transplanted organs, etc.

Antibodies or Immunoglobulins are immune proteins found in blood or lymph, and produced by B lymphocytes as an immune defense against protein substances (antigens). They combine with the very antigen that triggers their synthesis to neutralize their action.

Interferons are a group of Glycoproteins produced by Leucocytes, T-lymphocytes, and Fibroblasts as an immune response to viral infection or tumor cells.

infectious Diseases Starting with "H"

 H1N1 Flu or Swine Flu is a respiratory illness caused by the H1N1 Flu virus, a strain of the Influenza virus that usually affects pigs, but may also affect humans. The symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu -- fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue.

Hansen's Disease is a slow-progressing, infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium Leprae, mainly affecting the peripheral nerves and skin, also known as Leprosy. It is characterized by ulceration of the skin, nodules, and loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, the progressive debilitation leads to amputation of affected parts.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection, alcohol abuse, or toxic chemicals and is accompanied by jaundice, fever, and abdominal pain.

Herpes Zoster or Shingles is an infection of the nerves supplying certain areas of the skin, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes Chickenpox. After an episode of Chickenpox, the virus can remain dominant in nerve for several years and re-emerge as Shingles. Symptoms include itching, tingling, pain, and rash that turns into blisters which gradually crut over leaving scars, usually on one side of the body.

Herpes is a common viral infection caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). The infection can occur in the mouth and in the genitals manifesting as cold sores and genital sores, respectively. 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes Aids, a deadly disease of the human immune system. HIV is transmitted primarily through sexual contact, the other modes of transmission are by contact with infected blood or blood products, tissue, and organ donation; sharing of needles among intravenous drug users, and from an infected mother to a child during childbirth and via breast milk.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "G"

 Genital warts are small fleshly outgrowths on the skin or adjoining mucus membranes of the genitals or anus caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that are sexually transmitted.

Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by the parasitic Protozoan Giardia Lamblia, transmitted mainly through contaminated food and water. It causes diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, and abdominal discomfort.

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial infection. It is the first stage of Periodontal disease.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infectious disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria Gonorroeae. It is characterized by the inflammation of the genital mucus membrane and it is associated with painful urination and a swollen uretha. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the throat, eyes, oral tissues, brain, joints, and heart valves.

Gram-negative bacteria are a type of bacteria that lose the crystal violet stain in favor of the red counter-stain, Safranin, during Gram's method of staining. This staining property is attributed to the structural difference in the cell walls of bacteria.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "F"

 Filariasis is a common parasitic infection caused by the nematode Wucheria Bancofti and its larvae. Transmitted by some species of Culex mosquitos into the human blood, the parasites cause gross enlargement of their lower extremities and other parts of the body, associated with fever and skin lesions, gradually leading to elephantiasis.

Influenza, generally referred to as Flu, is an infectious respiratory disease. It is caused by certain strains of the influenza virus and is characterized by fever, headache, muscular pain, and weakness.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "E"

ELISA is a RAAD ImmonoChemical Test that involves an enzyme linked to an antibody or antigen as a marker for the detection of a specific protein, especially an antigen or antibody. ELISA is routinely used to determine the presence of antibodies to HIV in blood.

Encephalitis is an acute infection and inflammation of the brain. Usually caused by a virus, encephalitis is caused by headache, photophobia, drowsiness, and nausea.

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cells that enhance immune response during inflammatory reactions in the body, particularly allergic responses and infections. They are distinguished by the presence of bilobed nuclei and uniform coarse granules in their cytoplasm.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "D"

 Dendritic cells are immune cells that boost immune responses. Being one among the antigen-presenting cells (ADCs), the dendritic cells process and present antigens to other cells of the immune system through the receptors on their surface.

Dengue is an acute infectious disease caused by the arbovirus which is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, characteristics are severe joint and muscle pain, fever, headache, and rash.

Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease typically marked by the formation of a pseudo-membrane around the tonsils and other sites of infection in the upper respiratory tract. Caused by the bacterium Coryne Bacterium Diphtheriae, the infection has symptoms like sore throat, fever, and difficulty in breathing and swallowing.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "C"

 Chlamydia are a group of Gram Bacteria that belong to the Phlym Chlamydiae. They are obligate intracellular parasites. Chlamydial infections are the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection among humans. Caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis, the infection manifests as inflammation in the urethra, cervix, and fallopian tubes, and can lead to infertility.

Chickenpox is a contagious viral disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus which is transmitted through the air or by direct contact with an infected person. More common in children, it is characterized by itchy rashes, fever, and fluid-filled blisters that appear first on the chest and stomach, then the entire body.

Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by Togavirus of the genus Alphavirus, which is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitos. It causes fever and severe joint pain.

Contact Dermatitis is a skin inflammation that occurs due to direct contact with an irritant or allergen.

Contagious is a term used to describe a disease that can spread easily from person to person either by direct or indirect contact or is communicable.

Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease, also called Spongiform Encephalopathy, is a rare and fatal degenerative brain disease caused by prions. This infection is characterized by progressive mental deterioration, dementia, encephalopathy, and coma.

Infectious Diseases Starting with "B"

 Bacteria are microscopic unicellular organisms with a wide range of shapes, abundant in air, water, and soil, a few of which are beneficial while some are pathogenic--and all are the cause of many diseases that are responsible for the allergic and antigen response. The least common form of grand locyte, basophils store and secrete histamine, a chemical causing inflammation.

Biopsy is the diagnostic procedure that involves removal of tissue sample from the living body, using a needle, for microscopic analysis.

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids along the eyelashes due to an overgrowth of bacteria. It causes burning, redness, irritation, itchy eyelids, and scaly skin on the eyelashes.

Blisters are localized lesions on the skin filled with watery fluid, pus, of blood, caused by burns, rubbing, or allergic reaction.

Botulism is a rare but serious pralyptic illness that occurs from a toxin in contaminated food, produces by the bacteria Clostriduim Botulinum. The bacteria can grow in canned foods and colonize in the digestive tracts, or can enter the human by contamination of a wound. In all types of botulism paralysis starts in the facial muscles and can spread toward the limbs.