How Do You Stop Varicose Veins From Hurting? Expert Tips From California Vein Treatment
Varicose veins can be pretty painful. There’s a pervasive myth that varicose veins are a purely cosmetic concern, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Varicose veins can negatively affect your life in several ways. The bulging, dilated appearance of varicose veins can cause considerable self-consciousness, which can negatively affect your quality of life and prevent you from engaging freely in certain social events. That is reason enough to seek varicose vein treatments at the earliest stage.
But that’s not all. Varicose veins are also accompanied by symptoms like leg pain, leg heaviness, restless leg syndrome, throbbing leg veins, leg swelling, and more. These symptoms can make it hard to go on with your daily activities, thus negatively affecting your life. Furthermore, varicose veins are often caused by chronic venous insufficiency, a dangerous circulatory disorder wherein the collapse of vein valves causes blood to flow backward and accumulate in the leg veins. This is a chronic condition that only worsens with time, eventually leading to leg ulcers, skin discoloration, and deep vein thrombosis.
So, you see, there are several very compelling reasons to treat varicose veins at the earliest stage possible. And we’d love to say that you could stop varicose veins from hurting through simple lifestyle changes. But that’s not true. Lifestyle changes can reduce discomfort and alleviate some of the symptoms of varicose veins, but they can’t treat the root cause. The only way to treat varicose veins and vein disease is through minimally invasive procedures. California Vein Treatment offers the latest and safest minimally invasive vein treatments to address the root cause of your vein problems and stop varicose veins from hurting.
California Vein Treatment has state-of-the-art offices in San Diego and San Jose. Please schedule an appointment at your nearest medical center for vein treatment in California.
Varicose Veins & The Associated Pain
Varicose veins are dense, bulging, dilated blood vessels that protrude out of the skin’s surface. They’re essentially damaged blood vessels with excess blood accumulation. They may appear as blue or purple bulges beneath the skin’s surface. These veins become varicose when the valves that regulate blood flow within them weaken or malfunction. Consequently, blood pools in the veins, leading to their enlargement and discomfort. Varicose veins are usually symptomatic of underlying chronic venous insufficiency.
The pain associated with varicose veins often arises from the following factors:
- Blood Flow Abnormalities: When the valves within your veins fail to function correctly, blood can flow backward, causing an increase in pressure within the vein. Elevating your legs periodically can help alleviate this pressure and reduce discomfort.
- Inflammation (Phlebitis): Varicose veins are susceptible to inflammation, a condition known as phlebitis. Applying a cold compress can help reduce inflammation and provide relief.
- Distended Veins: The twisted, bulging appearance of varicose veins can cause physical discomfort and may even make it painful to wear certain types of clothing. Wearing compression stockings can help support the veins and reduce discomfort.
- Leg Fatigue: Inefficient blood circulation in varicose veins can lead to leg fatigue and heaviness, particularly after extended periods of immobility. Engaging in regular leg exercises and stretching can improve blood circulation and reduce fatigue.
- Skin Changes: Varicose veins can lead to skin changes, such as leg ulcers (non-healing leg wounds) or skin discoloration, especially in advanced cases. If you notice any skin changes, consult a vein specialist promptly to prevent complications.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): In some cases, varicose veins can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, a more serious condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs. Maintain an active lifestyle and stay hydrated to lower the risk of DVT.
Diagnosis & Customized Treatment Plans
At California Vein Treatment, we prioritize personalized care to address the unique needs of each patient. Before prescribing any treatment, we conduct a thorough diagnosis using state-of-the-art duplex ultrasound technology. Our board-certified vein doctors are proficient in a range of minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins and spider veins, including:
- Sclerotherapy: A widely used treatment where a specialized solution is injected into the affected spider veins, causing them to collapse and gradually fade away.
- Endovenous Laser Ablation: This procedure employs laser energy to seal off the affected saphenous vein responsible for your vein problems, redirecting blood flow to healthier veins.
- Radiofrequency Ablation: Similar to laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation uses heat to close off the damaged saphenous vein, allowing blood to flow into healthier veins.
- Venaseal: An innovative technique that uses medical adhesive to seal the vein shut, turning it into a hardened scar tissue eventually absorbed by the body.
- Ambulatory Phlebectomy: Small, superficial varicose veins can be surgically removed through tiny incisions in the skin. The scars gradually heal and fade away.
Tips To Stop Varicose Veins from Hurting:
- Stay Active: Engage in regular physical activity to encourage blood flow. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. While all exercises are good, the best exercises for blood circulation are cardiovascular exercises that engage your calf muscles, such as swimming, cycling, and running.
- Elevate Your Legs: Elevating your legs, especially after long periods of sitting or standing, can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Prop your legs up on pillows or use a footrest when sitting. Make leg elevation a part of your daily routine, especially in the evenings.
- Compression Stockings: Graduated compression stockings apply gentle pressure to your legs, aiding in blood circulation. Compression stockings push some of the accumulated blood to the heart, thus reducing the symptoms of vein disease. Consult a vein specialist to ensure you’re using the correct compression level and size.
- Maintain A Healthy Weight: Excess weight places additional strain on your veins. Focus on a balanced diet and portion control to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid High Heels: High-heeled shoes can exacerbate varicose vein discomfort by straining your calf muscles and impeding blood flow. Opt for comfortable, low-heeled footwear whenever possible. Save high heels for special occasions and choose supportive shoes for daily wear. And if you have severe varicose veins, avoid high-heeled shoes altogether.
- Take Breaks: If your job involves prolonged periods of sitting or standing, take breaks to move around and flex your calf muscles. Even a short walk every 30 minutes can make a significant difference in promoting healthy blood flow. Set reminders to stand up and move around during work. If possible, prop your legs on a chair or table while sitting.
- Dietary Choices: A diet rich in fiber and antioxidants can promote good vascular health. Incorporate these foods into your meals regularly for maximum benefit.
- Hydration: Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining healthy blood vessels. Drinking plenty of water can prevent blood from thickening and slowing down circulation. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. This will improve overall blood circulation, thus allowing more blood to flow into the heart, reducing the worst symptoms of vein disease.
The aforementioned lifestyle changes can reduce some of the worst symptoms of varicose veins. Some of them may even reduce the size of your varicose veins temporarily. However, lifestyle changes can’t remove varicose veins or treat underlying vein disease, so these measures aren’t enough. The only way to stop varicose veins from hurting for good is to address the root cause of your circulatory disorder through minimally invasive procedures.
When To Seek Professional Help
While the above lifestyle changes and self-care strategies can provide relief, it’s important to recognize when it’s time to seek professional help from experts like us at California Vein Treatment. As mentioned previously, most vein problems are chronic in nature, which means they worsen with time. That means it’s always better to treat vein problems sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the worse the symptoms will become. In most cases, varicose veins aren’t a medical emergency, so you can seek a consultation at a convenient time.
However, you must seek a consultation immediately if:
- Your varicose veins suddenly become extremely painful.
- You notice a warm, red streak running along the affected vein.
- The skin around the varicose veins becomes hot and swollen.
- You experience uncontrolled bleeding from a varicose vein.
- You develop a high fever in conjunction with vein pain.
- You notice open sores or ulcers near your varicose veins.
- You have a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and suspect its recurrence.
- You experience sudden shortness of breath or chest pain.
Early intervention is crucial for varicose vein treatment. Addressing varicose veins in their early stages can prevent complications and alleviate pain more effectively. Don’t wait until your symptoms worsen; seek help as soon as you notice any signs of varicose veins or vein pain. Please schedule an appointment at your nearest medical center for vein treatment in California — we have state-of-the-art offices in San Diego and San Jose.
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