The varicose veins in your legs may be responsible for your Restless Leg Syndrome.

Are you annoyed by restless leg syndrome? Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a condition that causes you to involuntarily move your legs while you sleep. If you are like most people, you experience the symptoms of restless leg syndrome while you are sitting or lying down.

Symptoms of RLS include:

● Discomfort in the legs

● Jerking, twitching, and other Involuntary leg movements

● Sleep disruption

● Exhaustion

There are two types of RLS: primary and secondary. No one knows the exact cause of primary RLS. However, secondary RLS can occur due to an underlying medical condition. Some of the underlying conditions thought to cause RLS include iron deficiencies, kidney failure, certain types of medication, pregnancy, stress, and sleep deprivation.

Another cause of secondary RLS is varicose veins in the legs.

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What Are Varicose Veins?

Veins pump the blood from your legs back to your heart. Veins utilize a series of tiny valves to help the blood flow smoothly, especially when the blood has to travel uphill to the heart. When these valves become damaged, your veins may not be able to function properly. The blood flow can be impaired, causing the vein to bulge, enlarge and twist up.

These damaged veins are called varicose veins.

Despite their appearance, varicose veins are not usually a problem. However, in some cases, varicose veins in the legs can cause symptoms such as swelling, cramping, pain, and uncomfortable feelings in the legs.

When you see a doctor for your restless legs, they will screen for secondary causes of the disease, including examining your legs for varicose veins. If you already know you have varicose veins, be sure to mention this to the doctor. If your doctor determines that your varicose veins are the underlying cause of your RLS, they may refer you to a vein specialist for treatment.

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Varicose Vein Treatments for Restless Legs

Vein doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating varicose veins in the legs and other venous insufficiencies. Fortunately, there are many effective treatment options available to patients with restless legs due to varicose veins.

In some cases, lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, getting more exercise, and avoiding sitting or standing for long periods, may be enough to treat the symptoms of your RLS. The doctor may also recommend that you start wearing compression stockings, special knee socks that provide the pressure and support your veins need to ensure proper blood circulation.

For smaller varicose veins, sclerotherapy is often effective. Sclerotherapy treatments involve injecting the damaged vein with foam or glue to seal off the blood flow. The blood flow is diverted to other veins, causing the sealed-off veins to shrink and eventually disappear.

Laser treatments are a popular treatment option. In laser treatment, the vein is heated and sealed using a laser light transmitted through a tiny fiber optic cable. Catheter varicose vein procedures also use heat to seal off the vein.

For more serious cases, surgery may be necessary. In surgical procedures, such as, endoscopic vein surgery, ambulatory phlebectomy, high ligation, or vein stripping, a section of the damaged vein is either tied off or removed completely.

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Treatments in the East Bay Area

The BASS Vein Center has been providing effective varicose vein and RLS treatments to East Bay Area patients since 1988.  If you are bothered by restless legs or varicose veins in the legs, schedule an appointment today.  Our expert vein specialists will be able to diagnose your problem and suggest a plan of treatment. Don't lose any more sleep because of restless legs -- call the BASS Vein Center today.

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