Pregnancy and joint pain - prevention or treatment?

One common sleep disorder is restless legs syndrome in pregnancy (RLS). This pathological condition is characterized by constant discomfort in the lower extremities, which manifests itself mainly in the dark and causes the need for constant movement. To understand how to get rid of RLS, you need to determine its cause. The Leto Mental Health Center has been successfully diagnosing and treating restless legs syndrome in pregnant women for several years. We will select the correct, and most importantly, safe therapy for both the woman and the fetus and relieve the patient from the painful symptoms of the disease.

Information sheet

For the first time in medicine, such a pathological condition was described in the 17th century by Thomas Willis, an outstanding physician, clinician and anatomist from London. But the diagnosis was officially confirmed much later.

In the 20th century, thanks to the research of the Swedish neurologist and psychiatrist Karl-Axel Ekbom, it became clear what the nature of the disease was. And if psychiatry was initially involved in the study of pathology (it was believed that this was one of the signs of schizophrenia), then the disease was soon recognized as neurological.

The prevalence of restless legs syndrome is high: about 2.5% of respondents confirmed that they experience a similar problem. Women complain about this twice as often, and often the first signs of the disease appear during pregnancy. After childbirth, symptoms often disappear forever in the vast majority of cases.

What is thrombophlebitis?

Thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory process in the veins, which is accompanied by the formation of blood clots, that is, blood clots themselves.
Clots begin to grow near the vein and gradually spread throughout the vessel. If the vein is of small diameter, a tributary of the main trunk, then it can be completely closed by a blood clot, but this does not pose a serious threat to health and life. If clots form in large veins in the legs, then it is dangerous for them to spread into the inferior vena cava system or break off a blood clot. Thrombophlebitis develops against the background of slow venous blood flow, which occurs with varicose veins. If an injury to the venous wall is added to this (and a distended vein is also damage), then this is an additional factor that contributes to the onset of blood clot formation.

Symptoms of restless legs syndrome

In modern medicine, the term “Willis-Ekbom syndrome” . It manifests itself primarily as problems with falling asleep - a person cannot fall asleep due to discomfort in the legs. This cannot be called pain, but rather a painful need for movements that help eliminate discomfort for 10-15 seconds. Every 5-30 seconds the patient experiences symptoms such as:

• tingling;
• aches;
• severe burning sensation;
• movements under the skin;
• twitching;
• goosebumps;
• seizures, etc.

With RLS, there are usually problems with sleep, namely with its deep phase. With a certain frequency, such patients experienced twitching of their limbs during sleep. The more such spasms there were, the worse the person felt the next morning: there was no feeling of refreshing sleep.

An important feature of this condition is that symptoms become more active in the evening or at night, and in pregnant women most often in the 2nd or 3rd trimester .

The syndrome is diagnosed if:

1. The patient has the symptoms described above. Often women cannot describe exactly what they feel, but note that the symptoms are extremely unpleasant and are mostly localized in the feet, legs or thighs.
2. The amplitude of unpleasant sensations increases at rest (in a lying or sitting position, when the woman is about to sleep).
3. Movements help temporarily relieve discomfort. When stretching, straining the legs, walking or exercising, the discomfort disappears.
4. Symptoms are cyclical. Signs of restless legs syndrome intensify in the evening and in the first half of the night - from 18.00 to 04.00. With the onset of morning, the discomfort most often goes away.

Among pregnant women, RLS is diagnosed in about a third of cases, which is often associated with changes in the electrolyte composition of the blood.

Postpartum thrombophlebitis

Thrombophlebitis can develop in a woman not only during childbirth, but also after it. It usually begins 2-3 weeks after birth and can spread from inflamed veins in the uterus. Often a young mother complains not only of pain, but of chills, general deterioration of her condition, and fever. However, these are symptoms not of a cold, but of thrombophlebitis, which cannot be ignored.

Thrombophlebitis is undoubtedly one of the most serious complications of varicose veins. However, knowing about its symptoms, the disease can be detected in time and measures can be taken. Be attentive to yourself, and this will help you maintain the beauty and health of your feet for a long time!

Why does this disease occur?

During pregnancy, this problem can be caused by several reasons. The appearance of symptoms in the 3rd or 2nd trimester is influenced by the following factors:

• stagnation of blood in the vessels;
• poor sleep caused by dopamine fluctuations or increased estrogen levels;
• lack of iron or folic acid in the body of a pregnant woman;
• increased sensitivity;
• hormonal changes, etc.

The disease is often provoked by pathologies such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, renal failure, etc.

Why does my legs twist during pregnancy in the second trimester?

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the load on the veins weakened by progesterone increases significantly. The volume of fluid circulating in the blood increases by 30%. Because of this, even in women who are not initially prone to varicose veins, the walls and valves of the veins begin to stretch.

The valves of the veins, which normally lift blood from the legs to the heart, begin to allow some of the blood in the opposite direction under the influence of gravity. Blood returns to the superficial veins of the legs and stagnates in them . The pressure inside the veins increases, and the liquid part of the blood begins to be forced out through the walls of the veins, forming swelling in the legs.

Does the syndrome need to be treated?

Since such a pathology significantly impairs the quality of sleep, it must be eliminated. Constant lack of sleep causes:

• overwork;
• depression;
• neurasthenia;
• decreased concentration;
• deterioration of cognitive functions;
• feeling of energy deficiency, etc.

In addition to the above, the presence of Willis-Ekbom syndrome is one of the predictors of the development of cardiovascular diseases. Patients are much more likely to suffer from arterial hypertension, arrhythmia, and in the presence of risk factors (overweight, diabetes, etc.), a heart attack or stroke cannot be ruled out (especially during childbirth). And restless legs during pregnancy are an additional danger, because constant discomfort associated with lack of sleep increases the risk of premature birth and placental hypoxia.

What should an expectant mother be wary of?

The second trimester is characterized by a large amount of discharge. Normally, they have a light white or yellowish tint, a uniform consistency, and no odor. Discharge becomes more abundant due to the fact that it is more difficult for the body to maintain normal microflora, compensatory mechanisms are launched.

However, the appearance of the discharge described below is not typical for a normal pregnancy:

1. Brown. There is a risk of late miscarriage, premature birth and problems with the placenta.
2. Greenish, gray. Indicate infectious processes of a purulent nature.
3. White curdled ones. The microflora is disrupted and, as a result, thrush occurs.

If any unusual discharge occurs, you should consult a doctor.

Cost of services

This list does not contain all prices for services provided by our clinic. The full price list can be found on the “Prices” , or by calling: 8(969)060-93-93. Initial consultation is FREE!

The importance of massage

As already mentioned, massage is a component in the treatment of flat feet in pregnant women. Therefore, all those who wondered whether it is possible to massage pregnant women can breathe a sigh of relief. Indeed, there has long been an opinion that if you massage the upper part of a woman’s body or stimulate certain points of her feet with massage, you can harm both the mother and the unborn child. And in some cases this is quite true. But this only says one thing: a woman should not attend massage sessions without permission. But if the doctor does not see any contraindications for the procedure, then it will only bring benefits.

Foot massage during pregnancy will help not only ease the condition of the feet (in particular, if each foot hurts and goes numb), but also improve the mood of the expectant mother. And since it has a positive effect on the emotional state of the mother, it automatically affects the psyche and health of the unborn child, especially if the massage is carried out by the caring hands of the father. After all, it is difficult to imagine a better environment for birth than an atmosphere of love and care.

True, the only thing worth taking care of in advance is that the future father performs this procedure correctly.

What to do if you have restless legs syndrome

The following are used in therapy:

1. Iron supplements, since a lack of an essential microelement leads to disturbances in the area of ​​the brain associated with the production of dopamine. Before this, it is necessary to undergo laboratory tests to determine serum iron levels. In case of a complicated medical history (cases of restless legs syndrome in close relatives, metabolic disorders, etc.), multivitamin complexes are recommended to be taken already at the planning stage of conception.
2. Dopamine receptor stimulants, which help replenish the lack of dopamine in the body.
3. Drugs that normalize the transmission of nerve impulses in muscle tissue.
4. Agents that improve blood circulation in the vessels of the lower extremities. Considering the likelihood of adverse reactions, preference in this situation is given to topical medications (creams, ointments, gels).

Due to the fact that many drugs used in the treatment of restless legs syndrome are contraindicated during pregnancy, it is first advised to try non-drug therapy methods. Recommend :

• massage the lower extremities before bed;
• avoid taking stimulating drinks and foods (coffee, strong tea, chocolate, Coca-Cola, etc.) at late times;
• stop smoking (unfortunately, often women, even after learning about pregnancy, continue to smoke);
• increase physical activity on the legs and the body as a whole during the daytime (naturally, taking into account individual physiological characteristics and health status);
• observe the rules of sleep hygiene (go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, refuse daytime rest, do not watch TV before bed, limit the use of any gadgets).

Experts warn that the appearance of any alarming symptoms during pregnancy, even minor discomfort, is a reason to consult a doctor. Treatment and diagnosis should be carried out only by specialized doctors.

In our center you can find experienced neurologists who will conduct a thorough diagnosis and prescribe adequate therapy. Good health of a pregnant woman is the key to having a healthy baby! And we are ready to take care of it! Call us 24/7 at 8(969)060-93-93 .

Treatment of joint pain during pregnancy

If joint pain is significant, seek help from a doctor. The gynecologist knows which medications will ease the condition during pregnancy and will not harm the baby.

If the pain does not go beyond the lungs, you can use the following tips:

• Do gymnastics
  . Regular exercise improves range of motion and helps maintain joint flexibility. Low-impact exercises such as walking and swimming are better for your joints.
• Use contrast therapy
  . Use a heating pad or electric blanket to warm up your joints. Place an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the sore muscle area.

• Get a massage
  . Massage therapy treats joint pain and stiffness and improves range of motion and gait.
• Try acupuncture.
  Acupuncture can help relieve joint pain.
• Take Omega-3 complexes.
  Including foods rich in Omega-3 in your diet will help relieve pain.
• Take time to rest to give your joints a rest.
  Relaxation exercises as well as leg elevation may also help relieve knee and ankle pain.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
  Wearing high heels puts stress on your ankles and feet. Instead, try to wear shoes that provide adequate support.