Summary
According to population-based studies, the prevalence of feelings of heaviness, swelling and pain in the legs is around 50 %. These feelings are often not accompanied by clinically detectable changes, but are the inevitable and generally unrecognised consequences of the increase in leg volume caused by standing still. We assume that the physiological change is detected as part of the constant information about the internal milieu that is sent to the corresponding centres in the brain. This information is modified by many factors, including emotion and – depending on the situation – is either appropriately perceived as an unpleasant sensation of swelling or not even noticed. These feelings can result in an impairment of vitality and depression. In some cases, a thorough phlebological work-up can reveal an occult organic venous disease, so that the feelings can be traced to a somatic cause. Feelings have a psychological and a somatic component; they are not imaginary. It is up to the doctor to discern the individual importance of the two components and to draw the appropriate conclusions regarding treatment.
Keywords
Venous disorders - veno-neuronal coupling - compression therapy - leg pain
