Restless Leg Syndrome and Varicose Veins

What is Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom disease (WED), is a common sleep-related movement disorder characterized by an unpleasant urge to move the legs. Symptoms often occur during periods of inactivity; particularly in the evenings. This urge to move is sometimes relieved by moving ones legs. During sleep, most patients’ limb movements, called periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS), can wake the person from sleep. Common symptoms of restless leg include: need to move, a sensation of crawling, tingling, restless, leg cramping, leg pain, leg discomfort, and leg itching. (Similar terms have been used when patients describe symptoms associated with venous disease or varicose veins.)

 

Cause of Restless Leg Syndrome

The cause of restless legs syndrome remains poorly understood. Some studies have identified nervous system abnormalities in patients with the disorder. The most common conditions associated with RLS include: iron deficiency, renal failure, neuropathy, spinal cord issues, pregnancy, and multiple sclerosis. Antihistamines, antipsychotic medications, and many anti-nausea medications, and certain antidepressants can make symptoms of RLS worse.

 

Varicose Veins and Restless Leg Syndrome

The importance of discussing restless leg syndrome on a lower extremity vascular website is that there are conditions which mimic restless leg syndrome. Venous insufficiency, which mimics symptoms of restless leg syndrome, also exacerbates (worsens) symptoms of true RLS.

 

Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome

Currently a curative treatment does not exist for restless leg syndrome. There are certain medications on the market intended to minimize or mask symptoms. However, if you have symptoms of night leg cramps, numbness, burning, leg fatigue, leg heaviness, and/or ankle swelling, you may have venous disease. Venous insufficiency is managed with in office procedures. Symptoms improve quickly after intervention, and the majority of activities can be resumed within hours.

The best way to rule out Venous Disease for Restless Leg Syndrome is to come in for an Ultrasound Exam and Consultation. If you find your discomfort is being caused by venous insufficiency, you'll be extremely glad that you did come in...if not....there's one more thing that can be ruled out! 

 

¿Cuál es el tiempo de induración del tratamiento venoso?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Sep 17, 2018 | Comments Off on ¿Cuál es el tiempo de induración del tratamiento venoso?

Q & A Pregunta: ¿Qué es el tiempo de induración? Respuesta: el downtime se basa en gran medida en el tipo de intervención y la severidad de la enfermedad venosa. Independientemente del tipo de intervención, nuestros pacientes reanudan todas las actividades el mismo día que el tratamiento. Algunos tratamientos requieren medias de compresión post-procedimiento, pero…

Read More

What is the down time for vein treatment?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Sep 17, 2018 | Comments Off on What is the down time for vein treatment?

Q & A Question: What is the down time? Answer: Downtime is largely based on the type of intervention and severity of the vein disease. Regardless of the type of intervention, our patients resume all activities the same day as treatment. Some treatments require compression stockings post-procedure, but most times these are worn for comfort and…

Read More

Frustrado con las venas dolorosas y antiestéticas de la pierna

By Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP | Jul 26, 2018 | Comments Off on Frustrado con las venas dolorosas y antiestéticas de la pierna

Venas dolorosas y antiestéticas de las piernas Con el calor de Arizona, un día de verano, día de invierno, o cualquier día es ideal para usar shorts. Pero para aquellos con varices o venas de araña, la idea de usar pantalones cortos es preocupante y lleva a la ansiedad severa. Según el Departamento de salud…

Read More

Frustrated with Painful and Unsightly Leg Veins

By Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP | Jul 26, 2018 | Comments Off on Frustrated with Painful and Unsightly Leg Veins

Painful and unsightly leg veins With the Arizona heat, a summer day, winter day, or any day is ideal for wearing shorts. But for those with varicose veins or spider veins, the thought of wearing shorts is troubling and leads to severe anxiety. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 55% of…

Read More

Q & A: ¿pueden los ultrasonidos Doppler encontrar coágulos de pierna?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Jun 21, 2018 | Comments Off on Q & A: ¿pueden los ultrasonidos Doppler encontrar coágulos de pierna?

Pregunta: ¿dos ultrasonidos Doppler encuentran cualquier coágulo de pierna? (Muslo o pantorrilla). ¿Es el síndrome de mayo-Thurner (MTS) posible y un venography necesario en mi caso?

Read More

Q & A: Can Doppler Ultrasounds Find Leg Clots?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Jun 21, 2018 | Comments Off on Q & A: Can Doppler Ultrasounds Find Leg Clots?

Question: Would two Doppler ultrasounds find any leg clots? (Thigh or calf). Is May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) possible and a venography necessary in my case?

Read More

¿Volverán las venas de araña o las varices tratadas con escleroterapia?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | May 31, 2018 | Comments Off on ¿Volverán las venas de araña o las varices tratadas con escleroterapia?

Si quisiera deshacerse de las venas antiestéticas, las venas de araña, o las varices dolorosas; a continuación, la búsqueda de resultados de escleroterapia, a través de un especialista en la vena, puede ser la elección correcta para ayudar a mejorar su dolor, la felicidad y su apariencia. En este procedimiento rutinario, el médico de la…

Read More

Will spider veins or varicose veins treated with sclerotherapy come back?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | May 31, 2018 | Comments Off on Will spider veins or varicose veins treated with sclerotherapy come back?

If would like to get rid of unsightly veins, spider veins, or painful varicose veins; then pursuing sclerotherapy results, through a vein specialist, may be the right choice to help improve your pain, happiness, and your look. In this routine procedure, your vein doctor injects a chemical into the veins which will cause the veins…

Read More

Várices vulvares: ¡ no sufras en silencio!

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | May 23, 2018 | Comments Off on Várices vulvares: ¡ no sufras en silencio!

Parece concebible que cuando los expertos en Salud estiman que el 10 por ciento de las mujeres embarazadas experimentan várices vulvares, es decir, varices vaginales, podrían subestimar groseramente la incidencia de esta afección. Hay mujeres — que saben cuántas — que no reportarán este dolor, picazón, pesadez e incomodidad general en la vulva, ya sea…

Read More

Vulvar Varicosities: Don’t Suffer in Silence!

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | May 23, 2018 | Comments Off on Vulvar Varicosities: Don’t Suffer in Silence!

It seems conceivable that when health experts estimate that 10 percent of pregnant women experience vulvar varicosities, that is to say vaginal varicose veins, they could be grossly underestimating the incidence of this condition. There are women—who knows how many—who will not report this pain, itch, heaviness and general discomfort in the vulva, either because…

Read More

About Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP

Jason is the Practice Administrator and CEO of Advanced Vein Institute of Arizona. Mr. Babcock brings over 30 years of healthcare administration experience to the organization with a strong background in finance, business development, operational improvement and customer service to AVIA.