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What Could Be Causing Your Leg Pain?

Do you experience aching pains and discomfort when you are standing or walking? Varicose veins could be causing these symptoms.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are superficial (near the surface of your skin) veins in your body that have become twisted and abnormally swollen.

For many people, varicose veins can be quite painful. Patients with varicose veins often experience some or all of the following symptoms in their legs:

  • Achiness
  • Heaviness
  • Burning
  • Throbbing
  • Cramping
  • Swelling
  • Itching
  • Skin discoloration
  • Increased discomfort and pain after sitting or standing

Varicose veins develop when there’s increased blood pressure in your veins. Your blood circulates through your body through valves in your veins. When these valves weaken or become damaged, blood sometimes collects in the veins.

When this happens, your veins become swollen and enlarged.

Varicose veins cause pain and discomfort because blood pools in your leg veins when sitting or standing for long periods. This pooling increases the pressure in your veins. Sometimes, your veins stretch from the increase of pressure.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are quite common and usually harmless (though often painful). Some people are more likely to get varicose veins than others.

Some factors that can predispose you to develop varicose veins include:

  • Your genes
  • An occupation requiring a lot of standing 
  • Obesity
  • Hormonal factors due to pregnancy, menopause, or other reasons
  • A medical history of blood clots
  • Medical conditions like tumors that increase pressure in your abdomen 

Sometimes people also develop varicose veins from trauma, injuries, surgeries, or ultraviolet radiation exposure.

Natural Treatment Options for Varicose Veins

There are many treatment options available if you’re suffering from pain or discomfort related to varicose veins.

One simple method is wearing compression socks. Compression socks are designed to support circulation in your lower leg veins and stimulate your blood flow. By improving circulation, compression socks help decrease pressure inside your veins, which can help relieve pain and swelling.

Another way to help with leg pain from varicose veins is by improving your lifestyle. Make sure you’re taking care of your skin, especially around areas where varicose veins are visible. Consider losing weight if needed to help reduce the amount of pressure on your legs.

Another useful lifestyle change is trying a diet low in sodium since salt is known to increase water retention and swelling in your body.

Medical Treatment Options for Varicose Veins

For some people, medical intervention is necessary to help with the appearance or painful side effects of varicose veins.

There are many medical options for treating varicose veins, such as the following:

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure in which a saline solution is injected into the veins to help them disappear. It is minimally invasive and can improve the symptoms of varicose veins quickly.

Endovenous Laser Treatment

This treatment uses laser light or radiofrequency energy to induce the veins to collapse and relieve symptoms. Healthy veins will then take over, reducing symptoms and increasing blood flow.

If you are suffering from pain in your legs and suspect varicose veins could be the culprit, consider contacting Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center for a consultation.

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