Leg Pain After Exercise: What Does It Mean?
There’s soreness, there’s injury, and then there’s pain due to an underlying health problem. This blog dissects the common causes of post-exercise leg pain to help you know when and where to get help.
The Link Between Varicose Veins and Leg Pain
It's bad enough dealing with bulging, twisted, rope-like veins, but being one of the few who has leg pain on top of it can be too much to handle.
Rather than throw in the towel and resign yourself to a life of covering up your symptoms, turn to our experts at Advanced Vascular Solutions.
We know that education is key in effectively managing your pain and other concerns.
So, we offer a wide range of advanced varicose vein treatments and help you understand exactly what's going on with your health. Here's your ultimate guide to varicose veins and what to do when they become painful.
What are varicose veins?
Let's begin by laying a foundation of what varicose veins are. Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins visible just beneath the skin's surface. Healthy veins pump blood to your heart with the help of valves that open and close with every heartbeat. When those valves are damaged or weakened, your blood pools, which causes your veins to become visible.
Because the veins in your legs and feet have to work against the force of gravity, the valves there are usually the first to go. And as a result, varicose veins most commonly occur in your lower extremities. Varicose veins can also stem from prolonged standing or sitting, obesity, pregnancy, or family history.
While many people with varicose veins experience no symptoms (other than cosmetic concerns), others may experience pain, swelling, and discomfort. Here's why.
What causes leg pain in varicose veins?
Varicose veins can cause leg pain in a couple of ways. First, varicose veins often result in circulation problems, as they can restrict blood flow in your legs. In addition to pain, restricted blood flow can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
- Heavy, tired legs
- Cramping in the legs
- Itching or burning sensations
- Restless leg syndrome
Additionally, inflammation in your veins can lead to dull, aching pain in your legs. Often you notice these uncomfortable symptoms are exacerbated by sitting or standing for too long.
What can you do to manage the symptoms?
If you're experiencing leg pain or other symptoms of varicose veins, you have several options to manage your symptoms. We thoroughly evaluate your veins, symptoms, and health history to determine which of the following treatments (or treatments) is right for you.
Here’s a closer look at what we can do to help you overcome varicose vein-related leg pain.
Get moving
Getting regular exercise helps improve circulation and reduces the symptoms of varicose veins. Since your legs are in pain already, try low-impact activities like yoga, walking, and swimming to keep the pressure off your legs and the focus on improving your health.
Elevate your legs
Sometimes, the veins in your legs just need a break. And the best way to do that is by kicking your feet up — literally. Raising your legs above heart level for 15-20 minutes daily can significantly reduce swelling and improve circulation.
Wear compression stockings
Compression stockings are special stockings that apply pressure to your legs. They work to control painful swelling and encourage healthy blood flow. There are many brands, colors, and styles available, but if you’re not sure where to start, we can help you find a pair of stockings that work best for you.
Maintain a healthy weight
Being overweight can put extra pressure on the legs, exacerbating the symptoms of varicose veins. Talk to us about ways to lose weight safely and with your veins in mind.
Consider medical treatments
If your symptoms are severe, we may recommend sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, VenaSeal™ Closure System, laser treatment, or surgery to remove the affected veins.
Varicose veins can be painful, but with our help, they don't have to be. If you're in pain and
ready to get rid of those pesky varicose veins, don't hesitate to call our friendly staff or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve greater Sebastian and Melbourne, Florida.
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