Rebecca Collins
31 years,
5 years ago
3 Conditions Runners Face, The Cause And How To Overcome Them
Aches and pains are part of every runner's life. Still, there are some conditions that may cause so much discomfort, it hinders your running. In other cases, the ache is a symptom of a more serious condition. Whether you are a seasoned runner or are fairly new in this sport, there are three common complaints you may experience at one time or another.
In this article, we will discuss some discomforting conditions, their cause and how to overcome them. The conditions we will discuss are feet numbness, throat pain, and heavy feet.
Feet Numbness When You Run - What It Means
The sensation of foot numbness is often described as the feeling of ‘pins and needles’. The sensation is similar to when you sit on your foot for an extended period of time and suddenly get up. Foot numbness can be caused by many factors, here are just three.
Trauma To The Foot
If you have recently had a foot injury, one of the possible causes of foot numbness is returning to your routine too quickly. Returning to your running routine too fast after recovery can cause the tissue in your foot to swell which in turn causes the numb sensation.
Wearing Improper Footwear
Circulation of blood in your foot may be hindered if you wear tight fitting shoes. Feet that are continuously put in tight shoes may become numb because of the compressing of the nerves. If this is the cause of your numbness, you will also observe symptoms like blisters, cut toenails, and inflamed tendons. You can find more information on the importance of wearing the right shoes here: https://everyfirststep.quora.com/How-To-Recover-And-The-Important-To-Choose-The-Best-Running-Shoes-For-Achilles-Tendinitis
Sciatic Nerve Compression
The sciatic nerve connects the leg to the foot muscles through the spinal cord. If it is compressed, it may cause a sensation of numbness in the foot. This numbness is often located at the base of the foot and you will be able to feel that the numbness is from the lower back.
Conditions such as diabetes
Because diabetes causes an increase in blood sugar levels, the flow of blood to the nerves can be affected and cause damage. It is common for people living with diabetes to experience a numbing sensation in their feet, hands and other body parts. This is a result of injury to the nerves or damaged blood vessels. If you have diabetes, it is likely that this is the cause of your foot numbness.
How To Overcome Foot Numbness
- Always be careful when returning to running after an injury. Perform low-intensity workouts first if you feel discomfort when running.
- Perform strength and flexibility workouts to speed recovery. Doing the top exercises and why should choose the best running shoes for Achilles Tendinitis helps speed recovery from injury.
- Wear proper fitting shoes
- Consult a physician about your foot structure
Throat Pain When Running - What It Means
Although experiencing throat pain when running may not sound like anything serious, you will be surprised at how much it can affect you. A sore throat can greatly influence your performance causing difficulty breathing and other complications. Here are two common causes of a painful throat:
Cold Or Dry Weather
Cold or dry weather causes irritation in the nasal passage when inhaled. If you run in the cold season without any protection, you inhale a large amount of cold air which can lead to a sore throat. This can also leave you more prone to inflammation of the sinus.
Breathing Through Your Mouth
When you breathe through the mouth, you inhale cold and dry air. As you run, you need more and more air which causes you to inhale more and colder air. The mouth is not capable of warming or moistening the air like the nose so this causes your throat to become dry and sensitive. Breathing through your mouth also makes you more prone to irritants and bacteria.
How To Overcome Throat Pain
- Wear a scarf or mask over your mouth if you decide to run in cold weather
- Opt to run indoors on a treadmill instead of out in cold weather
- Stay away from alcohol and caffeine which can dehydrate you
- Try common home remedies such as peppermint and licorice
Heavy Legs When Running - What it means
In order to be an effective runner, it is important that you are light on your feet. This lightness will help you the strength to go on. It is no wonder why to feel you have heavy feet can cause great concern. The truth is, this is a very common complaint of many runners and may be caused by any of the following factors:
Changes In Lifestyle
If you sit for extended periods of time, you may suffer from heavy legs because of restricted blood circulation. In addition, recent pregnancy often causes weight gain that may cause heavy legs. Generally speaking, any activity in your lifestyle that causes you to be inactive or gain weight can trigger the sensation of heavy legs when you run.
Vitamin Deficiency
If you lack Vitamin B1, you are more likely to experience muscle cramps and a numbing sensation in your legs. This is because B vitamins convert food into fuel which affects your energy levels. Iron deficiency can also trigger heavy legs because it results in low oxygen levels in your muscles.
Dehydration
Failure to drink enough fluids especially when you run can result in a tired feeling in your legs. Without electrolytes, your muscles become tired and may feel heavy. Not only can dehydration cause tired legs but it can greatly affect your overall running performance.
How To Overcome Heavy Legs When Running
- Keep active throughout the day by taking short walks if you have an office job
- Drink lots of water especially when you run
- Perform appropriate warm-ups to promote good blood flow
- Have a balanced diet and ensure you have all the needed vitamins
Conclusion
Foot numbness, throat pain, and heavy legs are conditions that can easily be prevented. In all three conditions, learning how to find the best running shoes for Achilles Tendonitis can provide needed support to your feet and ensure you have enough blood flow. In addition, maintaining a good diet can greatly reduce your chances of experiencing these conditions.