Lost in Translation: What Your Legs Are Really Trying to Say
Isn’t it nice that when we visit foreign countries and there are attempts to make us more comfortable by providing English versions of a menu, signage, and “helpful” locals who have had access to some 70s American TV show tapes and the Internet?
Greek hotel – “Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m.”
Hong Kong tailor’s shop: “Ladies may have a fit upstairs.”
Japanese hotel: “Please to bathe inside the tub.”
China: Expect strange looks if you ask for “finger-lickin’ good” Kentucky Fried Chicken. The locals will think you want to “eat your fingers off.”
Former Soviet Russia: “If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it.”
Swiss menu: “Our wines leave you nothing to hope for.”
Talk about some lost translations!
You could say the same thing can happen with our legs. Our legs “talk” to us all the time. It’s just that we often misinterpret what they’re really trying to say.
Have you ever had any of these conversations with your legs?
Legs: “I ache.”
You: “Oh, that’s just the muscles.”
Legs: “I’m tired.”
You: “You’re getting older. It’s just the way it goes.”
Legs: “I itch.”
You: “Better get back to the dermatologist for more cream.”
Legs: ” I’m restless.”
You: “My doctor says it’s a nerve thing. Guess I’ll just walk it off.”
Legs: “I’m feeling heavy.
You: “You’re swelling because you’ve been on your feet all day. Just rest.”
Legs: “My sore is getting worse and worse.”
You: “I’ll just keep using the medicine and wrapping it. The doctor doesn’t seem to know what’s causing it.”
Now for the Hamilton Vein Center translation:
When your legs consistently tell you they are achy, tired, itchy, restless, heavy and sore and you aren’t finding any real, permanent relief or good answers with visits to the doctor, dermatologist, pharmacy or from medicines, creams and other traditional remedies, it’s time to consider vein disease as the underlying source of your legs’ woes.
So many of our patients come to us in the advanced stages of vein disease — with open sores, scaly skin, edema, skin discoloration — because their vein disease was missed by doctors and dermatologists for years and years.
Knowing the signs of vein disease means you get treated sooner rather than later.
So next time your legs start talking to you, tell them that you are listening and have found a (read Welsh sign below)
To schedule your vein consultation and screening, call 281-565-0033 or schedule online today!