Do Varicose Veins Hurt? What Symptoms Should I Look For?

Varicose veins are often seen as a cosmetic issue, but for those who suffer from them, they can be quite painful. Varicose veins occur when blood flow is restricted in the veins, causing them to swell. In addition to being unsightly, varicose veins can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Aching or throbbing pain in the affected area
• Muscle cramping
• Swelling in the legs
• Itching or burning sensations
• Restlessness

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, it is important to seek treatment, especially since you may have a dangerous underlying circulatory disorder known as chronic venous insufficiency. There are a number of ways to reduce the symptoms of vein disease, including:

• Wearing compression stockings: Reduce swelling, pain, and the accumulation of blood.
• Exercise: Improves circulation and reduces the symptoms of vein disease.
• Walking: A great form of low-impact exercise to reduce the symptoms of vein disease.
• Elevating your legs: This reduces swelling by allowing blood to flow more easily to the heart.

The aforementioned lifestyle changes can’t treat varicose veins or underlying vein disease, but they can alleviate the symptoms temporarily. The only way to treat varicose veins and underlying venous insufficiency is with minimally invasive vein treatments in New York. You can find our state-of-the-art medical center for vein treatment in Midtown Manhattan or the Financial District, a short walk from the New York Stock Exchange.

Please schedule an appointment for vein treatment in New York.

There are many factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins. These include heredity, pregnancy, obesity, standing or sitting for long periods of time, and trauma. But the root cause of varicose veins is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI occurs when the valves in the veins that carry blood from the legs to the heart are damaged or not functioning properly. This causes the blood to flow backward and pool in the veins. The veins then become enlarged and twisted.

There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing CVI, including:

• Heredity: If your parents or grandparents had CVI or varicose veins, you’re more likely to develop them as well.
• Pregnancy: The extra weight of pregnancy can put pressure on your veins and cause CVI.
• Obesity: Excess weight puts strain on your veins and can cause CVI.
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time: This can cause the blood to pool in your veins and lead to CVI.
• Trauma: An injury to your leg can damage the valves in your veins and cause CVI.

Chronic venous insufficiency prevents blood from flowing properly to your heart. The lack of proper blood circulation in the legs leads to skin discoloration. You may also develop rust-colored and leathery patches on your skin because of the breakdown of blood cells.

Chronic venous insufficiency prevents proper blood circulation, which is essential for blood clotting and wound healing. Without proper blood circulation, the wounds in your legs don’t heal properly, leading to non-healing leg wounds, also known as leg ulcers.

Over time, the accumulated blood in your leg veins may turn into blood clots. The hardened blood clots may eventually break and travel to the lungs, leading to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis leads to a hard and warm sensation on the legs.

Compression stockings are one of the most common conservative treatments for varicose veins. They work by applying pressure to your legs, which helps to improve blood flow and prevent the accumulation of blood in your leg veins. While compression stockings can alleviate the symptoms of vein disease and reduce some of the varicose veins, they can’t treat the problem. The only way to get rid of swollen varicose veins is through minimally invasive vein treatments in New York.

When you contact a board-certified vein doctor, you can expect a thorough consultation and diagnosis. The vein doctor will administer ultrasound tests to determine if you have chronic venous insufficiency, following which they may curate a personalized vein treatment plan for you. Your vein treatment may include radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser ablation, venaseal, sclerotherapy, ambulatory phlebectomy, or a combination of these procedures.

Minimally invasive vein treatments usually conclude within an hour and don’t involve downtime.