Can Varicose Vein Pain be Eliminated?
Can Varicose Vein Pain be Eliminated?
It is the end of a long day, and suddenly you realize that the varicose veins that you barely considered this morning are working hard to get your attention. They ache, and your legs feel heavy and are getting swollen. Especially if you have been ignoring them all day, it is important to give your legs some attention, both for your immediate comfort and for your long-term health.
Much of varicose vein pain is caused by the pressure exerted by distended veins on the surrounding tissue. This pressure can be exacerbated by inflammatory agents your body releases in response to this injury.
Your Best Option for Minimizing Varicose Vein Pain
If you are experiencing pain associated with your varicose veins, you may need the help of a qualified vein specialist to determine whether your vascular health is at risk. After an examination, they may be able to recommend a minimally invasive procedure that will ease your discomfort, or even eliminate your pain.
Arizona Vein Specialists
In the meantime, there are some simple short-term solutions for varicose vein discomfort. They take a little time and effort, but they can be worth it.
Varicose Veins Home Treatment
The first thing to do is take a load off, elevate your legs. Lifting your feet, so they are level or slightly elevated above your heart helps to move out blood that has been pooling all day. It also takes some strain off your heart.
After that, do everything you can to keep things moving. Staying active will help to prevent pooling blood from exerting painful pressure on your muscles and skin, and will help minimize the collection of metabolic waste products collecting in distended areas.
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods. As much as possible, move around throughout the day.
- Avoid tight clothing and don’t cross your legs when sitting.
- Compression stockings that are prescribed by a vein specialist may offer some relief, and further, improve venous return as you go about your activities.
- Alternating warm and cool compresses on the area can help to move the excess fluid that has become lodged in the tissue of the lower limbs and is exacerbating your pain.
Take care of the inflammation
Histamines and other inflammatory agents that your body releases in response to the trauma of varicose veins can increase your pain. While oral medications are not typically prescribed for varicose veins, some doctors recommend anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen to deal with discomfort. However, these medications can take their toll on the stomach, as well as the liver and kidneys.
Some experts suggest naturopathic pain relievers, such as Horse Chestnut, Arnica Montana, and white willow bark for their anti-inflammatory and blood vessel dilating properties. Before you try them, ensure that these substances do not interact with any other medications you may be taking.
Consider your diet
Eating a balanced diet is essential for health and healing, and, as such, can help to minimize varicose vein discomfort. On the other hand, eating a diet high in inflammation-causing foods, such as sugar, trans fats, and allergens, can have the opposite effect, increasing pain levels and other symptoms.
Watch out for signs that your varicose veins are getting worse. If your varicose vein pain suddenly becomes intense or is accompanied by localized redness, swelling and heat, please seek medical attention immediately. These could be signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Varicose Vein Pain Next Steps
Keep in mind that if you are experiencing pain or other symptoms associated with varicose veins, and homeopathic treatments don’t provide relief, you may be one of 30 million American men and women who are affected by Venous Reflux Disease, or Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).
Consider getting a complete venous evaluation and possible treatment from a qualified vein specialist to defend against varicose vein pain and ensure your long-term vascular health.
Varicose Veins worse in Summer Heat? If it seems like your varicose veins symptoms seem to worsen in the summer heat—especially for those of you who live in hot climates like Arizona—you are not imagining it. Talk to a qualified vein specialist and they will tell you that heat does have an effect on your…
Read MoreLet’s face it—a big part of the reason that you are in Arizona is because you don’t enjoy golfing in the snow or hiking in the rain. And now that you are here, there is no reason to let anything get in the way of your active life—not even the discomfort of varicose veins. Although…
Read MoreYounger adults in the U.S. are searching for options to deal with varicose veins…REALLY? Health and Google statistics are starting to show that younger and younger people are seeking treatment for conditions such as varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and other health conditions usually associated with older adults. Health officials are attributing this…
Read MoreHas a woman ever said she loves wearing high heels because they are just so comfortable? Uh uh. Or because it is just so easy to walk in them? Not likely. High heels are popular because of the way they make the legs of the wearer appear.
Read MoreIf you just googled “compression stockings for varicose veins” to find this article, you are far from alone. Millions of Americans have looked at compression stockings as a non-surgical alternative to help deal with the discomfort of varicose veins and other peripheral vascular concerns. Perhaps not knowing that there are newer, effective, and minimally invasive procedures…
Read MoreIt can hurt to care–just ask any nurse. As a profession, nurses experience some of the highest rates of varicose veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) in the country. In fact, in one study by the NIH, 63 per cent of participating nurses were shown to have at least one sign of CVI. Nurses will know…
Read MoreOne might think that the biggest cause of injury among American firefighters would be burns and collapsing structures. However, more than just skin and bones, it is the firefighter’s vascular system that is at risk. There are a number of reasons why firefighters are especially susceptible to vascular injury, and why they in particular need…
Read MorePerhaps the most important thing to know about Radiofrequency Vein Ablation, is that it has a high success rate in treatment of varicose veins. Additionally, it is minimally invasive, minimally painful, has low rates of complication, can be performed in-office, and has a very rapid recovery time, usually about a day. The Venous Ablation Process…
Read MoreThe concern about having or developing Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a great reason to have your varicose veins fully assessed by a qualified Vein Specialist. Why should I be concerned about the symptoms of Chronic Veins Insufficiency? Chronic Venous Insufficiency, also known as Venous Reflux Disease or Venous Stasis, refers to a condition of inadequate…
Read MoreCan Varicose Vein Pain be Eliminated? It is the end of a long day, and suddenly you realize that the varicose veins that you barely considered this morning are working hard to get your attention. They ache, and your legs feel heavy and are getting swollen. Especially if you have been ignoring them all day,…
Read More