Coping with Pain from Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen because your blood pools in them for some reason. Such reasons could be weakened valves within the veins, having a leg injury, being heavy, or even just getting old. Varicose veins aren’t just unsightly, but they’re also sometimes painful. Varicose veins pain can be downright debilitating, affecting your quality of life by making it difficult even to walk or to sit for any length of time. 

If you’re bothered by the pain or looks of varicose veins, we at Nu Vela Laser & Vein Center have some tips for you, from temporary self-care to long-lasting medical treatments.

Self-Care

Self-care for varicose veins is straightforward and almost always just a change in position. These include raising your legs while sitting or lying down, which will relieve the stress on the vein and its surrounding muscles. Exercise can help, too, because the blood will move faster through the veins going back to the heart. 

Compression stockings can be effective because they also help the blood flow quickly back to the heart. They also stabilize the muscles slightly so that they hurt less. The disadvantage with compression stockings is that you have to wear them every day.

These will lessen the pain, but they won’t cure the varicose vein, however. There are various methods of treating the damaged veins themselves, up to and including surgical removal.

Medical Treatments

The medical treatments are usually either to remove the veins entirely or to neutralize them so that they no longer cause pain. These treatments include:

1. Sclerotherapy: In this procedure, the doctor will inject a saline solution, but also possibly a foam, that damages the vein in question. After three or four weeks, the vein will likely fade because it’s no longer carrying blood. In some cases, you might need two sclerotherapy treatments.
2. Laser therapy: This is a non-invasive procedure where the doctor will bathe the vein in laser light, which will cause it to atrophy and fade.
3. Treatment through a catheter: Generally, catheter-based procedures, such as radiofrequency, are for large varicose veins. It involves a thin tube that’s inserted into the vein. The radiofrequency, or sometimes a small laser, heats the vein from the inside, which causes it to collapse and seal.
4. Vein Stripping: The doctor will make a small incision at each end of the varicose vein and tie it off. Once it’s tied off from a deep vein, the doctor will remove it through the small incision.
5. Phlebectomy: This is similar to vein stripping, but there’s no tying-off procedure. Phlebectomy is for smaller varicose veins called “spider veins” because they resemble a web.

If you’re looking for more specialized procedures beyond those listed above, Nu Vela offers personalized varicose vein treatment options in Los Angeles, CA. 

Preventing Varicose Veins

There are several things you can do to keep from forming varicose veins. The simplest is not to wear tight clothing. Secondly, if you tend toward being sedentary, either because your job requires you to sit at a desk most of the time or because you have difficulty exercising, then standing up and stretching occasionally helps the blood flow and prevents pooling. If possible, exercise as much as you can stand. You can also elevate your feet while sitting and avoid crossing your legs.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Dishakjian

If you’re struggling with varicose veins and seeking effective relief or cosmetic improvement, Nu Vela Laser & Vein Center is here to help. Dr. Dishakjian offers a range of treatment options tailored to your specific needs, from minimally invasive procedures to advanced surgical techniques. 

Schedule a consultation with us in Los Angeles, CA, to explore your treatment options and take the first step towards healthier, pain-free legs.