In the afternoon, Aunt Li took a leisurely walk in the community square as usual. But the difference is that her steps gradually become heavy, and the smile on her face freezes.
This heaviness comes from the soreness of her left leg, which is not once or twice, in the past six months, her leg has always protested from time to time, sometimes it is sore, sometimes it hurts, and even the pain at night makes her toss and turn.
Aunt Li always thought that this was the norm for the elderly, after all, people's old legs decayed first. But she didn't know that this was a warning sign from the latent lung cancer in her body.
1. The association between leg pain and lung cancer
You may ask, what is the relationship between lung cancer and leg pain? This may sound far-fetched, but in fact, the connection between them is not far-fetched at all.
Lung cancer, a killer hidden deep in the chest, sometimes goes off the beaten path, not necessarily confined to the lungs, but may affect distant muscles and bones through the blood circulation or lymphatic system.
For some lung cancer patients, their first symptom is leg pain, which is because some substances secreted by lung cancer cells, or the cancer cells themselves, have traveled far to the legs, causing inflammation or metastases there.
Even more confusingly, the pain is often mistaken for arthritis, muscle strain, or neuralgia. When the pain persists or even gets worse, many people will be shocked to realize that something is wrong, but by this time the cancer may have progressed to an advanced stage.
2. Danger signs of a lump in the legs
When it comes to lumps, you may think of all kinds of benign things, such as lipomas, which are soft to the touch, not painful or itchy, and most people don't take them seriously.
But if one day you notice that the little lump that used to be a good place suddenly grows as if by magic, and becomes hard and even painful, then be careful.
It could be a malignant tumor beckoning you. It can be a type of cancer called sarcoma, which does not originate in an organ like other cancers, it grows from muscle, fat, or other soft tissues.
Sarcoma is a thing that grows fast and loves to spread, and if not detected and treated in time, the consequences are unimaginable.
Sometimes, there may be more than one lump in your leg, and if you notice that several lumps have popped up on your leg and are getting bigger and bigger, you can't take it lightly.
This may be the so-called "bone metastasis" of the cancer, which is a symptom of advanced cancer that means that the cancer cells have traveled from the primary site into the bone. Don't underestimate these inconspicuous little lumps, they can be a distress signal from deep within the body.
3. Four major signs of vigilance for abnormal leg performance
In the long history of medicine, the abnormal performance of the legs is often like a mirror, reflecting the possible internal diseases of the body. In addition to pain and lumps, there are several other signs that should not be ignored:
Swelling in the legs, especially unilateral swelling, can be a sign of deep vein thrombosis. In this condition, blood circulation is blocked, which not only causes swelling, but can also lead to pain and fever. If the clot breaks off, it can also trigger a fatal pulmonary embolism.
According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, early recognition and treatment of deep vein thrombosis significantly reduces the incidence of pulmonary embolism.
Subcutaneous nodules or discoloration of the skin in the legs may be a sign of vasculitis. Vasculitis is a condition in which the immune system abnormally attacks blood vessels, which can lead to inflammation of blood vessels, blockage of blood flow, and even rupture of blood vessels.
According to the Journal of the American College of Rheumatology, vasculitis can cause serious complications such as organ dysfunction if left untreated.
An ulcer in the leg that is difficult to heal may be a warning of peripheral artery disease. This condition is caused by a lack of oxygen to the tissues, which eventually leads to ulcers or gangrene. Studies in the journal Circulation have shown that patients with peripheral arterial disease have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
Severe leg pain at night, which may be associated with neurological disorders. For example, sciatica often worsens at night, and people experience severe pain from the buttocks to the legs.
Research in the journal Pain Medicine has shown that prompt physical therapy and medication can be effective in relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.
4. Other common causes of leg pain
In addition to cancer, leg pain can stem from a variety of common causes. Buerger's disease, a condition frequently mentioned in the journal Vascular Surgery, causes blockage of arteries in the lower extremities, causing leg pain, numbness and even difficulty walking. Treatment usually requires a combination of medication and surgery to restore blood flow and prevent the condition from getting worse.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities, a common blood vessel problem that manifests as dilated, tapered, twisted veins in the legs. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it can also cause a feeling of heaviness, pain, and night cramps in the legs.
A study in the journal Circulation showed that moderate exercise and wearing compression stockings are effective prevention and mitigation methods.
Patients with "three highs", namely hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia, are often accompanied by arteriosclerosis, which can lead to decreased blood vessel elasticity, obstruction of blood circulation, and leg pain.
Research in the Journal of Cardiology highlights that controlling blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar levels is essential to prevent leg pain.
5. How to prevent and maintain leg health
Eat foods rich in vitamins C and E, antioxidants that protect blood vessels and reduce inflammation, such as citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables and nuts.
At the same time, reducing the intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods can prevent the damage of the "three highs" to blood vessels. Research in the Journal of Nutrition shows that a balanced diet is associated with leg health.
In addition, maintaining a correct sitting and standing posture is key. Working standing or sitting for long periods of time can increase pressure on the veins in your legs.
Therefore, standing up and walking around every once in a while, or doing leg stretches while sitting, can reduce the risk of varicose veins. According to the Journal of Occupational Health, improved ergonomics in the work environment plays an important role in the prevention of occupational leg diseases.
Finally, timely medical examinations are also indispensable. For individuals with a family history of genetic history, or for older people, regular medical screening can detect problems early.
The Preventive Medicine Report recommends that screening programs, including blood tests and vascular ultrasound, can identify signs of vascular disease at an early stage.
summary
The health of our legs is our feet to the future. We should value every signal from our legs, whether it's mild discomfort or persistent pain.
A healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, moderate exercise, proper posture for work and rest, and regular medical check-ups form the cornerstone of leg health.