Pain in your legs can be caused by minor leg problems such as sore muscles. This type of pain commonly occurs during sports or recreational activities, and physical work-related projects. Leg problems can be minor or serious and can include symptoms such as: pain, swelling, cramps, numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in temperature or color.

Older adults have an increased risk for leg problems because they lose muscle mass as they age. Children can always have leg problems for the same reasons as adults or for other reasons like overactivity or the rapid growth of bone and muscle.

More serious pain in your legs could be a problem with blood vessels, and a sign of a cardiovascular disease. Some of these include peripheral arterial disease, inflammation of a vein (phlebitis), or a blood clot (thrombophlebitis). A blood clot near the surface of the skin may cause only minor problems, while a clot in a deep vein may be more serious.

There are many other problems that cause leg pain, see WebMD’s article on leg pain not caused by injury.

To chat with a doctor about leg pain, sign up for NorthShore HealthSystem’s live chat on February 11, 2010 at 12 Noon (CT).

It’s no secret that men and women’s bodies function differently. Even when it comes to the same illnesses, the difference in sex can affect one’s body in many ways. Heart disease is the leading killer in women, but it is still perceived as something men struggle with more. Read more

Oral contraceptives are an effective way to avoid pregnancy, control irregular periods, or address other health concerns, such as acne. However, birth control pills can also affect your blood pressure by elevating it to sometimes unhealthy levels.
How do oral contraceptives affect blood pressure?
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Women’s World magazine recently published an article on heart attack prevention. The article addresses chronic inflammation as a bigger threat than something like high cholesterol levels.

What can be done to lower chronic inflammation?
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Although high cholesterol is a form of heart disease that people are familiar with, high triglyceride levels can also be harmful. What are triglycerides? WebMD states that “triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. They are a major source of energy and the most common type of fat in your body”. While we need triglycerides in our bodies to function, high levels of the fat can be harmful. “When triglyceride levels are high, it is not clear whether these high levels directly increase your risk for heart disease. But high triglycerides are often part of a group of conditions called metabolic syndrome”.

North Shore Hospitals’ recent women and heart disease live chat, gave insight into some of the keys of high triglycerides. Dr. Eileen A. Kelly Hensing’s expertise helped answer several pressing questions on triglycerides.
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Our last post gave an overview of heart disease and gave a brief synopsis of women’s misconceptions of heart disease. Here a just a few more facts on the number one killer of women. Read more