Pain Relief for Varicose Veins

Pain Caused by Varicose Veins

Symptoms of varicose veins differ for every individual. For some, they may not cause any pain; for others, extreme pain, itchiness, or bleeding can occur. Other symptoms of pain that may arise from varicose veins are a heavy feeling in the legs, burning, throbbing, or muscle cramping in the lower part of the legs. If symptoms of hardening veins, swelling legs, inflammation, or ulcers near the ankles are present, this indicates something much more severe. Serious vascular diseases may be affecting the veins and require immediate medical attention.

Varicose veins can appear as enlarged, bulgy, blue, or purple veins, which causes cosmetic issues that might be unappealing to some.

Pain Relief for Varicose Veins

There are a few methods for pain relief of varicose veins, including:

Compression Wear: Specially designed stockings fitted to help support veins that may be causing painful or uncomfortable symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes: Walking about 4 times a week for 40 minutes a day can significantly strengthen the legs and, in turn, increase the blood flow. Other lifestyle changes include weight loss, providing skin hygiene through natural lotions, and swimming.

Vein Procedure: Physicians can provide several types of treatments and procedures for pain relief.

Types of Vein Procedures

Sclerotherapy: Using a highly concentrated salt solution, vein physicians inject the liquid into the damaged vein. Gradually, over three to six weeks, the vein will disappear.

Endovenous Ablation Therapy: Using a combination of radio waves and laser light to increase heat, the physician directs the source to the varicose vein until it closes itself off. To do this, the doctor makes tiny cuts into the skin near the varicose vein and heats the inside of the vein.

Vein Stripping: This treatment is usually done for severe cases of varicose vein diseases. Physicians tie the veins shut and remove them through small cuts in the skin. Recovery time for the procedure is typically 1-4 weeks.

Laser Treatment: This unique treatment uses light energy directly onto a varicose vein, which causes the vein to fade away. Laser treatment is common for smaller varicose veins, such as spider veins, and requires no incisions or injections.