What are Varicose Veins and Tips to Relieve Pain from Them
Varicose veins and spider veins are damaged veins that usually appear on the legs and cause poor blood flow in the legs. They present physically as swollen and twisted lumps.
Any vein that is close to the skin’s surface (superficial) can become varicosed. Women are more likely to have varicose veins and spider veins.
For many people, varicose veins and spider veins — a common, mild variation of varicose veins — are simply a cosmetic concern. For other people, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Sometimes varicose veins lead to more-serious problems.
Symptoms
Signs of varicose veins include:
- Veins that are dark purple or blue
- Veins that appear twisted and bulging, often appearing like cords on the legs
When painful signs and symptoms of varicose veins occur, they might include:
- An achy or heavy feeling in the legs
- Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in the lower legs
- Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
- Itching around one or more of the veins
- Changes in skin color around a varicose vein
Causes
Weak or damaged valves can lead to varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Veins return blood from the rest of the body to the heart. To return blood to the heart, the veins in the legs must work against gravity.
Muscle contractions in the lower legs act as pumps, and elastic vein walls help blood return to the heart. Tiny valves in the veins open as blood flows toward the heart, then close to stop blood from flowing backward. If these valves are weak or damaged, blood can flow backward and pool in the veins, causing the veins to stretch or twist.
Risk factors
The following can increase the risk of developing varicose veins:
• Age: Aging causes wear and tear on the valves in the veins that help control blood flow. Eventually, that wear causes the valves to allow some blood to flow back into the veins, where it collects.
• Gender: Women are more likely to develop the condition. Hormonal changes before a menstrual period or during pregnancy or menopause might be a factor because female hormones tend to relax vein walls. Hormone treatments, such as birth control pills, might increase the risk of varicose veins.
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the blood volume in the body increases. This change supports the growing baby but can also enlarge the veins in the legs.
• Family history: If other family members had varicose veins, there’s a greater chance you will too.
• Obesity: Being overweight puts added pressure on veins.
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time: Movement helps blood flow.
What to do if you have Varicose Veins
Regular physical activity can reduce your chances of developing varicose veins. And if you’re already living with varicose veins, exercise may ease your symptoms and keep your condition from progressing. Exercise alone isn’t always enough to prevent or treat varicose veins but some physical activities can make a big difference. Read on to learn more about the best exercises for varicose veins prevention from our Zanskar Health experts.
1. Walking: Walking is a low-impact exercise that can help improve your circulation without putting too much strain on your legs. This makes it perfect for people with varicose veins.
2. Climbing Stairs: When you can, choose the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Raising your calf as you climb contracts your leg muscles, which help squeeze the blood back up your legs.
3. Calf Raises: Using your calf muscles to raise your heels off the floor also moves the blood in your lower legs. You can do this exercise standing or seated multiple times throughout the day. Try to do a set of 10-15 calf raises at a time.
4. Lunges: Lunges work many different muscle groups in your feet and calves. When these muscles are strong and healthy, they can help keep blood flowing in the right direction.
Other Tips
Exercise can often provide significant relief from painful varicose vein symptoms, but physical activity alone isn’t always enough to resolve your symptoms. Try the following :
- Avoiding high heels
- Use compression socks to improve blood flow and reduce swelling
- Changing your sitting or standing position regularly
- Keep BP under control with low salt high fibre diet to reduce stress on damaged valves of varicosed veins
- Raising your legs when sitting or lying down
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Medical Review: This article is written by Dr Nishtha Mittal (Senior Health Content Editor at Zanskar Health) and has been medically reviewed by Dr Rashi Goel (Senior Physiotherapist at Zanskar Health). This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.
