What You Need To Know About Leg Vein Disorders And Treatments

Having pain or discomfort in your legs can be frustrating and impact your quality of life. Many people experience leg pain, but it can be difficult to determine the cause because of the many possibilities, including muscle cramps, strains, and leg vein disorders.

What Are Common Leg Vein Disorders?

There are many leg vein disorders. However, some are more common than others.

Varicose veins are what most people think of when they think of leg vein disorders. They picture a puffy, twisted blue vein bulging out of the skin on someone's calf. They are as painful as they look, causing an achiness, restless legs, or nighttime muscle cramps. Varicose veins worsen after standing or sitting for long periods. There is also a risk of blood clots forming in varicose veins, which can be dangerous.

Spider veins, on the other hand, do not usually cause any symptoms. However, they can sometimes be itchy or painful. Spider veins, clusters of thin 'web-like' lines visible underneath the skin, can also be cosmetically undesirable for some people. If spider veins are left untreated, they can sometimes worsen and become varicose.

DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, is a less common leg vein disorder. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of the leg, usually after you've been sitting or standing for long periods. People who are at increased risk of developing DVT include those with cancer, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. When the clot breaks loose and works its way into your lung, it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) and is life-threatening.

If you are experiencing pain in your legs, it is important to see your doctor to determine the cause and get proper treatment. Many effective treatments are available for leg vein disorders, including medications and procedures such as sclerotherapy and laser ablation. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you based on your individual symptoms and medical history. With proper care and management, you can successfully manage your leg vein disorder.

What Are Leg Vein Disorder Treatments?

There are several treatment options for leg vein disorders, including:

  • Lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly and elevating your legs when you are at rest can help to improve circulation and reduce symptoms.
  • Compression stockings. Wearing these special stockings that apply gentle pressure to your legs can help to improve circulation, especially for people who work on their feet all day.
  • Sclerotherapy. Your doctor may suggest sclerotherapy as a leg vein disorder treatment if you do not respond to non-invasive methods of care. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into the affected veins, which causes them to collapse and fade away over time.
  • Endovenous laser therapy. Instead of injecting medicine into your veins, endovenous laser therapy uses lasers to collapse the affected veins.

While leg vein disorder treatment that causes veins to collapse may seem extreme, new veins will eventually grow to replace the veins you have removed.

Leg vein disorders are a common cause of leg pain, but with the right treatment, you can successfully manage your leg vein disorder symptoms and improve your quality of life. Talk to your doctor about leg vein disorder treatment options.

Share