Varicose veins and leg pain

1 Varicose Veins and Leg Pain Varicose veins are unattractive, swelled, reddish-purple veins that stick up through the skin. Although these ugly, twisted veins can occur in just about any area on the body where veins occur, it's a fact that varicose veins tend to show up more often on legs than anywhere else. The legs take a pretty bad beating every day of our lives. They carry our weight wherever we go, no matter how we get there. Even if you're someone who sits most of the time, your legs are still in danger of developing varicose veins. In fact, observing a sedentary lifestyle can be a major factor in developing varicose veins in the legs. And, for many patients, with varicose veins can come leg pain, swelling, and worsening circulation problems. Varicose veins in the legs can even lead to life-threatening medical conditions. But it doesn't have to be that way. Varicose vein treatment in NJ offers relief for those who suffer from leg pain and other symptoms that accompany their varicose veins.

Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs Varicose veins can cause problems no matter where in body they occur. However, when they develop in the legs, they can cause even more problems because they limit mobility, which in turn will limit lifestyle.

Varicose veins not only can cause pain in the legs that lead to difficulty walking and performing activities of daily living. When they develop in the legs, varicose veins can also cause other symptoms.

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Milder symptoms of varicose veins in the legs that often accompany leg pain include: • • • •

Heaviness in the legs that makes ambulating more difficult; Numbness and tingling in the legs, ankles, and feet; Fatigue in the legs; Itching and even burning sensations.

More severe or serious symptoms of varicose veins in legs that often accompany leg pain include:

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Swelling in legs, ankles, and feet; Skin discolorations; Swelling that accompanies calf pain, especially from sitting or standing for long periods of time; Thin or dry skin; Scaling on skin; Bleeding; Open sores; Inflammation.

Treatments Healthcare providers such as vein specialists have a number of treatment options for those who suffer from the pain and accompanying symptoms of varicose veins in the legs, ankles, and feet. First, your doctor will likely

2 recommend that you wear compression socks (also referred to as compression stockings or support hose). These are amazing little socks that squeeze veins from the feet up, thereby redirecting blood that may be pooling in veins. This helps to redirect blood to the heart, keeping the circulatory system flowing properly. Other treatments you can do at home include elevating your legs; getting on a regular exercise routine; avoiding tobacco products; and eating a healthy diet.

If you're someone who's tried other therapies and you're still experiencing leg pain from your varicose veins, you may want to consider treatment with a vein specialist. Vein treatment centers offer a number of safe and effective treatment options for reducing or even eliminating the pain and appearance of varicose veins in the legs, ankles, and feet. These include: • • • • •

Laser treatment that can close off poorly functioning veins, thereby redirecting blood to healthier veins; Sclerotherapy that also can close off poorly functioning veins; Ligation or stripping that removes poorly functioning veins; Radiofrequency treatment to close off bad veins that are causing blood to pool; Phlebectomy to remove poorly functioning veins.

An estimated 30 million people in the United States suffer from varicose veins, and the most significant location in the body they develop them is in the legs. Unfortunately, the number of varicose vein sufferers in the United States is rising. Every year, thousands more people are diagnosed with varicose veins, and thousands more experience the pain and accompanying symptoms that can threaten not only lifestyle, but life. Risk factors such as sedentary lifestyle, obesity, poor diet, and even smoking can lead to the varicose veins, especially in the legs, ankles, and feet, causing significant pain and limiting mobility. If you're a varicose vein sufferer, contact a varicose vein treatment center in NJ to schedule a consultation to learn about the many different treatment options available to you.