When people think of varicose veins, they picture large, swollen lumps protruding from their skin.
And while this is certainly true in some cases, for many, the symptoms are not so obvious.
Unidentified pain in the legs can be an indicator of varicose veins, but how do you know what it’s like?
Is there a difference between varicose vein pain and say, a pulled muscle?
And while this is certainly true in some cases, for many, the symptoms are not so obvious.
Unidentified pain in the legs can be an indicator of varicose veins, but how do you know what it’s like?
Is there a difference between varicose vein pain and say, a pulled muscle?
What are varicose veins?
In their most basic description, varicose veins are a circulatory problem.
Blood is not pumped up through the legs effectively enough, and the little amount that doesn’t go back up the vein falls down due to gravity.
This blood then starts to pool in the veins, causing them to bulge.
We’re still not sure what causes this disease, but genetics play a big part.
If both your parents suffer from varicose veins, then unfortunately, there’s a 90% chance you will too.
Blood is not pumped up through the legs effectively enough, and the little amount that doesn’t go back up the vein falls down due to gravity.
This blood then starts to pool in the veins, causing them to bulge.
We’re still not sure what causes this disease, but genetics play a big part.
If both your parents suffer from varicose veins, then unfortunately, there’s a 90% chance you will too.
What does varicose vein pain feel like?
Most people feel the symptoms of the disease as a lingering pain which comes and goes.
It can feel different to different people, but the pain is usually described as an ache; with throbbing or tenderness associated with it.
Sufferers also describe a “heaviness” to their legs, as well as numbness or tingling sensation.
A common complaint of varicose vein patients is Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS.
This is a condition that causes you to feel as if you need to constantly move your legs, and is accompanied by unpleasant/painful sensations.
One of the worst aspects of RLS is the inability to sleep, as the condition is often worse at night lying in bed.
Swelling and cramps are also indicators of varicose veins, with the latter being caused by a restriction of blood to the muscles.
It can feel different to different people, but the pain is usually described as an ache; with throbbing or tenderness associated with it.
Sufferers also describe a “heaviness” to their legs, as well as numbness or tingling sensation.
A common complaint of varicose vein patients is Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS.
This is a condition that causes you to feel as if you need to constantly move your legs, and is accompanied by unpleasant/painful sensations.
One of the worst aspects of RLS is the inability to sleep, as the condition is often worse at night lying in bed.
Swelling and cramps are also indicators of varicose veins, with the latter being caused by a restriction of blood to the muscles.
How to relieve varicose vein pain
There are several ways to gain immediate relief from varicose vein pain, albeit temporary.
Elevating your legs can bring instant relief. Lie on your back and set your legs on a chair or table - your legs need to be higher than your heart.
This will help blood circulation, making it easier for the blood to get around your legs, and helping the venous valve to function more effectively.
Keep your legs elevated for at least 15 minutes at a time and that should help to reduce the swelling and ease the pain.
But you don’t have to wait until things get so bad that you need to lie on the floor! Regular exercise during the day can help symptoms. Flex your feet and calves frequently, especially during long trips when your legroom is limited.
If your job entails standing or sitting for long periods of time, make sure you get up and move around at least every half an hour.
Unfortunately, these measures are fighting the symptoms, not the cause.
The only way to be permanently rid of varicose vein pain is to undergo surgical treatment.
Elevating your legs can bring instant relief. Lie on your back and set your legs on a chair or table - your legs need to be higher than your heart.
This will help blood circulation, making it easier for the blood to get around your legs, and helping the venous valve to function more effectively.
Keep your legs elevated for at least 15 minutes at a time and that should help to reduce the swelling and ease the pain.
But you don’t have to wait until things get so bad that you need to lie on the floor! Regular exercise during the day can help symptoms. Flex your feet and calves frequently, especially during long trips when your legroom is limited.
If your job entails standing or sitting for long periods of time, make sure you get up and move around at least every half an hour.
Unfortunately, these measures are fighting the symptoms, not the cause.
The only way to be permanently rid of varicose vein pain is to undergo surgical treatment.
Varicose veins treatments
There are several treatment options available to effectively treat varicose veins.
Our main treatment option is Endovenous Laser Ablation, or EVLA as it’s known.
This procedure uses a laser to destroy the vein, causing it to collapse, and gradually disappear over the coming weeks.
Venaseal is a relatively new treatment and involves inserting a small catheter into the damaged vein, then literally glueing the walls shut from the inside.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy is a varicose vein treatment which injects a chemical solution into the vein, turning it hard and fibrous.
The body’s own immune system then breaks down and absorbs the vein over the next several weeks or months. This treatment is usually used in conjunction with Laser and/or Venaseal.
Our main treatment option is Endovenous Laser Ablation, or EVLA as it’s known.
This procedure uses a laser to destroy the vein, causing it to collapse, and gradually disappear over the coming weeks.
Venaseal is a relatively new treatment and involves inserting a small catheter into the damaged vein, then literally glueing the walls shut from the inside.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy is a varicose vein treatment which injects a chemical solution into the vein, turning it hard and fibrous.
The body’s own immune system then breaks down and absorbs the vein over the next several weeks or months. This treatment is usually used in conjunction with Laser and/or Venaseal.
Be rid of varicose vein pain once and for all
Varicose vein pain can ruin lives, and because the disease is progressive, it means it will only get worse over time if left untreated.
While there are some interim pain-relief options you can take, the only way to be rid of the pain for good is to see a vein specialist.
Dr Henryk Poczwa is New Zealand’s foremost varicose vein expert. Since founding the Vein & Skin Clinic in the nation’s capital over 20 years ago, he has treated literally thousands of patients, giving them a new lease on life.
The above varicose vein treatments are all performed without the use of general anaesthetic as a simple "walk-in, walk-out" procedure, with most activities possible immediately afterwards.
If you would like to be rid of your varicose vein pain, then contact us today and discover how we can help you.
While there are some interim pain-relief options you can take, the only way to be rid of the pain for good is to see a vein specialist.
Dr Henryk Poczwa is New Zealand’s foremost varicose vein expert. Since founding the Vein & Skin Clinic in the nation’s capital over 20 years ago, he has treated literally thousands of patients, giving them a new lease on life.
The above varicose vein treatments are all performed without the use of general anaesthetic as a simple "walk-in, walk-out" procedure, with most activities possible immediately afterwards.
If you would like to be rid of your varicose vein pain, then contact us today and discover how we can help you.
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