Why do Varicose Veins Ache Most at Night?

A good night’s sleep is the cure for most maladies. But what do you do if you keep tossing and turning in bed all night in pain? A sudden crampy pain in the legs in the middle of the night is something that we all have experienced at some point in our lives. Grandma would have probably dismissed the pain saying that a banana would help reduce the pain. But not all cramps are relieved by a banana. The pain from varicose veins can be quite severe and ruin the night for you. Read on to know why night-time is the worst time for varicose veins.

What Are Varicose Veins?

The valves and walls of the veins become weak and damaged, which leads to the common condition known as varicose veins. The one-way valves in the vein, when damaged, lead to backflow and pooling of the blood. The veins become distended with the collected blood and eventually get distorted.
Varicose veins are caused by a number of reasons. Genetics, age, weight, pregnancy and an occupation that requires you to be on your feet for long hours are some of them.
Varicose veins do not cause major symptoms. For most people, it is more of a cosmetic concern. Lifestyle changes, exercising and wearing compression socks help to a large extent.

Nighttime and Varicose Veins-The Link

Varicose veins cause a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the legs. This sensation gets accentuated at night and can become quite unbearable. Most people with varicose veins complain of nighttime being the worst. They keep tossing and turning in bed with the cramps and pains and end up spending a sleepless night.
Though the exact reason why the pain is felt more at night is not known, there are several theories that are postulated. The most popular reason is thought to be the fact that nighttime serves no distractions. During the day, you are active physically and mentally. There are several things that keep you occupied and help in keeping your mind away from the pain and discomfort. But at night, when you finally put your feet up for the day, there is relative peace. The only things that would probably disturb you are the mosquito buzzing around or your partner’s snoring. Under such circumstances, the chances of distraction are less. Your body is tuned to every sensation and every sensation is magnified. This is the reason why you feel the pain and heaviness in the legs more during the night. The cramps too come on once you are all cozied up inside your blanket. 

Having said this, it is important that you visit a doctor and get your condition checked out. Pain in the leg at night could also result from other medical conditions like Restless Leg Syndrome or could be a symptom of Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Dealing With Nighttime Aches

Having varicose veins often means enduring sleepless nights. The pain and discomfort caused by varicose veins is pronounced more in the nighttime. The cramps ensure that you keep tossing and turning in bed all night long. A bad night then results in grumpy, irritable mornings and sets a similar tone for the entire day ahead. Here are some simple techniques that will help you get relief from the crampy pain and sleep better.

• Loosen up – Hopping right into bed at the end of the day is a bad idea. Sit down calmly with your feet up and let your body and especially your calves unwind from the stress of the day. You may pick a book or put on some music while you unwind.
• Stretch it out – Gentle stretches and self-massages are a good way to soothe your calves and restore blood circulation. The tired calves and veins get rejuvenated and the natural flow of blood is restored. This helps to reduce the occurrence of cramps and reduces the heaviness in your legs.
• Feet Up- While you ease into your bed, prop up your feet over a couple of pillows. Keeping your feet above head level helps the blood to flow more easily towards the heart. This prevents pooling and the associated cramps and pain. With your feet propped up, you will be able to sleep well and will wake up refreshed and rejuvenated.
• Stay Hydrated- Muscles that are not well hydrated tend to cramp more often. Hence it is vital to keep yourself well-nourished with water. A minimum of 8 to 10 glasses a day is the key to keeping your body and all its parts healthy. A good amount of water intake also ensures that blood circulation happens efficiently.
• Eat Well- Our body is a reflection of what we eat. It is important that we nourish our body with the essential micronutrients for it to function at the optimum. Fresh fruits and berries along with green leafy veggies should form an important part of your diet. Nutrients like vitamin K, potassium, folic acid and others are essential for good muscle health. So when grandma suggested you eat more bananas to get rid of your cramps, she was being serious!
• Compression Stockings- Wearing medical stockings for compression during the day is a good way to control the heaviness and pain due to varicose veins. These stockings make sure that the veins do n0t swell up during the day. You can remove them at night and sleep with your legs propped up. 

Treating Varicose Veins

Varicose veins can be very cumbersome and exhausting. They gradually worsen and can cause complications. It is advisable that you visit your doctor and find out ways to get rid of this condition. Though varicose veins cannot be cured with medications alone, you need not fear going under the knife. Advancements in medical technology ensure that you have a hassle-free road to freedom from varicose veins. The latest techniques aim to collapse the diseased veins completely and redirect the blood flow towards the healthy veins. With time, the collapsed veins are absorbed by the body and the symptoms of varicose veins disappear gradually. There are several minimally invasive techniques available, like-

• Radiofrequency ablation
• Endovenous laser ablation
• VenaSeal
• Sclerotherapy.

Takeaway

Varicose veins are loose and damaged veins with a malfunctioning valve. Varicose veins cause heaviness in the leg, a sore aching pain and cramps. These symptoms are more pronounced at night. This condition can be quite troublesome as it robs you of peaceful sleep at night. Reach out to our experts at MedFin to know more about this condition. Our team will also guide you on how to deal with this condition and the treatment options available for you.

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