Pain from varicose veins

What causes varicose vein pain?

As a rule, varicose veins express themselves as swelling, a feeling of heaviness, a feeling of tension, pressure or itching. In rare cases, the pressure in the vessels can also cause slight pain when standing and walking.

However, painful varicose veins are often an indication of a complication and should therefore be examined by a doctor. One possibility is an inflammation of the vein, a so-called "varicophlebitis". This leads to an inflammation of the vascular wall, which manifests itself in a reddened, hardened and usually painful varicose vein. Another possible cause of the pain is a "varicothrombosis". A blood clot forms within the vein (= oxygen-poor vein), which reduces or even completely prevents the removal of the blood. Thrombosis is usually accompanied by reddening and swelling of the affected leg, with the symptoms improving when the affected leg is raised. If left untreated, varicophlebitis can lead to varicothrombosis, since the inflamed vessel wall is particularly prone to the formation of a clot.

Read here: Recognize thrombosis

Here is the main article: Spider veins.

What causes the pain in varicose veins on the thigh?

Pain from varicose veins has the same causes, regardless of where it is on the body. However, the complaints express themselves differently. The closer the affected vessel is to the center of the body, the more pronounced the symptoms. There is only one large, superficial vein on the thigh, which runs down the inside of the thigh to the foot, the so-called rose vein (great saphenous vein). In the case of painful varicose veins in the thigh, either a deep vein, a connecting vein or the rose vein is affected.

Also read: Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis.

What causes the pain in varicose veins on the lower leg / calf

In the case of slight pain, itching and a feeling of tension in the lower leg, a pronounced varicose vein can be the cause of the symptoms. However, if the pain is more severe, thrombosis (Varicothrombosis) or inflammation (Varicophlebitis) more likely and should be clarified by a doctor. In addition to the rose vein running along the inside of the lower leg (V. saphena magna) there is another large vein that runs along the back of the calf and can cause discomfort (V. saphena parva).

More on the subject here: Pain in the calf

Pain in internal varicose veins?

Most of the blood flowing back to the heart is transported via the deep venous system (approx. 80%). A malfunction in the deep venous system is therefore associated with more severe symptoms and a higher risk of complications. In contrast to the superficial veins, which have decreased in their function, one does not speak of varicose veins in the case of the deep vessels, but of venous insufficiency (venous deficit).
However, the mechanism is the same. With internal or deep varicose veins, as with the superficial ones, there is a feeling of pressure, swelling, a feeling of heaviness and often a slight discoloration of the leg. The latter is usually more pronounced in the inner vessels than in the outer ones.

Furthermore, the constant pressure load in the legs can lead to the formation of ulcers or so-called "ulcers". In medicine, an ulcer describes a kind of deep, extensive wound which, in the case of venous insufficiency, is caused by the fact that the blood is no longer properly transported away. The oxygen supply in this area is therefore no longer optimally guaranteed. As a rule, however, varicose veins are already conspicuous in the first stage due to swelling and a feeling of pressure and are treated by a doctor.

Pubic pain from varicose veins

In addition to the legs, varicose veins can also mainly occur in the genital area and in the area of ​​the anus. It mainly affects women and especially women during pregnancy. They are expressed by thickened veins on the labia and on the mons pubis. Mostly itching is the main result. Cooling compresses and medicated ointments can relieve the discomfort. If there is also pain, there is a risk of a resulting thrombosis and a doctor should be consulted. Not to be confused with this are the varicose veins that occur in the anus, known as hemorrhoids, which can also be very itchy and painful.

Pain in the groin area from varicose veins

Varicose veins in the groin region are particularly common in pregnant women and usually disappear again after the birth. Permanent varicose veins in the groin are less common and can result from advanced venous insufficiency in the legs. If the itching or pain is severe, cooling compresses, compression stockings, ointments and lots of exercise can help.

Pain in the varicose veins after an operation

Varicose vein pain after surgery is a very common problem. The reason for the increased occurrence of complaints after surgical interventions is the many lying down and insufficient movement. The removal of blood from the legs is mainly made possible by the so-called muscle pump. The tension in the surrounding muscles pumps the blood upwards. However, since it is usually not possible to get up and walk early after an operation, the result is increased blood congestion in the legs. This increases the typical symptoms of varicose veins.

Another problem is that the flow in the vessels is reduced by the blood stasis and there is an increased risk of developing a thrombosis. A thrombosis leads to the formation of a blood clot, which blocks the blood vessel and can lead to sudden, severe pain. The clot that has formed can also spread, for example into the pulmonary circulation system, and can be very dangerous (read the article on this Pulmonary embolism). Therefore, precautionary measures are taken in the hospital in the context of so-called thrombosis stockings or compression stockings. Regular administration of thrombosis injections into the abdomen or thighs, which reduce blood clotting, also protects against the formation of a clot.

You can find more information about the Thrombosis prophylaxis.

What can you do about the pain?

The easiest way to counteract pain in varicose veins is to elevate the affected leg. This supports the removal of the blood by gravity and the pressure in the leg should improve. Another option is to move your foot. This activates the muscles of the lower legs and pumps the blood along the veins back to the heart.

So-called compression stockings also often help. These are usually prescribed by a doctor or can be purchased without a prescription. Compression or thrombosis stockings are very tight stockings which compress the leg and thereby promote blood flow. If, in addition to the unpleasant, typical symptoms, stronger pain occurs, then independent therapy should be avoided and a doctor should be consulted, as it could be a thrombosis or an inflammation.

Home remedies

There are numerous home remedies that have the property of relieving typical varicose vein symptoms. Only some of these are mentioned below. The most popular treatment for varicose veins is applying cold compresses to the legs. For this purpose, these should first be stored up in order to achieve an optimal result. Now, for example, kitchen towels can be soaked in cold water and wrapped around the calves.

Other options are wraps with essential oils such as juniper or lavender. Quark envelopes are also a good alternative. Quark cools the affected area and relieves swelling and inflammation. Herbal remedies such as horse chestnut, butcher's broom or magic bush leaves can also be helpful. They reduce typical symptoms of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency and can be taken in the form of teas, for example.