What Causes Varicose Veins and Is There a Connection to Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)?

Varicose veins are a common vein problem. They can occur in any vein close to the skin’s surface, but are most often found in the…

in bed with restless leg syndrome

Varicose veins are a common vein problem. They can occur in any vein close to the skin’s surface, but are most often found in the legs. These damaged veins appear twisted, enlarged, and bluish purple. Underlying vein conditions like chronic venous insufficiency may be a cause. 

Chronic venous insufficiency also increases the risk of developing a condition called restless legs syndrome (RLS). Restless legs syndrome is an uncontrollable urge to move your legs because of an uncomfortable feeling. Research suggests that people with varicose veins may develop restless legs syndrome.1

So, what causes varicose veins, and what is the connection between restless legs syndrome and varicose veins? Here’s everything you need to know about both conditions.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are twisted, bulging, or enlarged veins that appear blue or purple. They occur when your veins become damaged and can’t pump the blood from your legs back to your heart. The blood starts pooling in the veins, affecting blood flow and causes the veins to bulge, enlarge, or twist.2

Varicose veins are common. They aren’t necessarily painful but can be unsightly. Some people may have painful varicose vein symptoms. 

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins can appear due to chronic venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is when your leg veins can’t pump blood back to your heart.3 It can occur when your veins become weak or damaged due to increased pressure on your legs. It leads to the pooling of blood in your veins, making them varicose over time.

Varicose veins are seen more often in females than males. Although the exact cause of this condition is unclear, these are some risk factors for varicose veins:4

  • Hormonal changes
  • Taking oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement
  • Older age
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Standing or sitting in one position for too long
  • Leg injury
  • Pregnancy
  • Smoking
  • Underlying vein conditions

What Are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?

The main symptom of varicose veins is enlarged, twisted, swollen, bulging, or rope-like veins that are blue or purple on your legs. Varicose veins are usually not painful. But some may have painful symptoms

If you have varicose veins, your legs may feel heavy or tired. You may feel itching or burning around the damaged veins. You may have pain, soreness, discomfort, swelling, or throbbing in the leg. Some people may have skin discoloration and leg sores or ulcers.5

What Is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome or RLS is also called Willis-Ekbom disease. It is an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, usually to get rid of an uncomfortable feeling in your legs.6

What Are the Causes of RLS?

RLS is seen more often in females than males. RLS can occur during pregnancy. It can also occur due to older age. It is a genetic condition, which means you may have RLS symptoms if your close relative has the condition.7

There are two types of RLS, primary and secondary. The exact cause of primary RLS is unknown. Secondary RLS can occur due to an underlying medical condition like iron deficiency, kidney failure, some medicines, pregnancy, stress, and sleep deprivation.8 Vein problems like chronic venous insufficiency or varicose veins can increase your risk of developing restless legs syndrome.9

What Are the Symptoms of RLS?

RLS symptoms include discomfort in the legs and uncontrollable leg movements like jerking or twitching. You may feel sensations like itching, crawling, creeping, pulling, throbbing, or burning in your legs. These symptoms commonly occur in the late afternoon or evening.10

Symptoms can be more severe at night. You may feel the urge to move your legs while you’re sleeping. This can disturb your sleep and make you feel tired. It can also make you sleepy during the day and affect your mood, concentration, daily life activities, and personal relationships. Depression and anxiety may also result.11 

If you have these symptoms, your doctor will also check for secondary causes such as chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.12 If you have varicose veins and restless legs, you’ll have to visit a vein specialist for treatment.

Is There a Connection Between Varicose Veins and RLS?

Research has indicated a link between varicose veins and RLS, especially if the varicose veins are caused by chronic venous insufficiency. A study published in 2007 found that 63 people with RLS also had chronic venous insufficiency.13 Researchers concluded that people with vein problems like chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins may develop restless legs syndrome. 

Older research from 1995 also showed a connection between RLS and varicose veins. In the study, 1,397 people were screened for RLS symptoms and venous insufficiency. Of these, 113 people with RLS were given sclerotherapy treatment for venous insufficiency. Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a chemical agent called a sclerosant into the damaged vein to seal it shut. It is commonly used to treat smaller, thinner damaged veins, called spider veins. After sclerotherapy, 111 out of 113 people, or 98%, reported relief from their RLS symptoms.14

Another study published in 2008 showed that people with RLS and venous insufficiency felt relief after endovenous laser ablation treatment.15 Endovenous laser ablation or EVLA is a safe and effective treatment for varicose veins. It involves sealing the damaged vein using laser heat energy. After EVLA, people reported that their RLS symptoms had reduced.

A more recent study from 2019 reviewed 134 people screened for both RLS and vein problems and treated with sclerotherapy and EVLA. Researchers found thirty-five people with both RLS and venous insufficiency. Most people reported a decrease in RLS symptoms after vein treatment.16 

These studies show that people with RLS must be screened for varicose veins and other vein problems. Both RLS and varicose veins have several overlapping symptoms. Pain, soreness, throbbing, swelling, or heaviness in the legs due to varicose veins can make you feel like you have RLS. 

Responses

Find a Vein Specialist Near You

If you have RLS symptoms, get yourself checked for chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins. For this, you’ll need to consult a vein doctor. 

Find a vein doctor near you with My Vein Treatment’s vein specialist locator tool. Schedule an appointment with a qualified vein specialist in your locality. They’ll screen you for vein problems, treat your varicose veins, and relieve your RLS symptoms. 

SOURCES:

  1. Cureus: “ Treatment of Leg Veins for Restless Leg Syndrome: A Retrospective Review.
  2. Cleveland Clinic: “ Varicose Veins.
  3. Radiologyinfo.org: “ Venous Insufficiency (Varicose Veins).
  4. Johns Hopkins Medicine: “ Varicose Veins.
  5. Cleveland Clinic: “ Varicose Veins.
  6. Cleveland Clinic: “ Restless Legs Syndrome.
  7. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: “ Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.
  8. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: “ Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.
  9. Cureus: “ Treatment of Leg Veins for Restless Leg Syndrome: A Retrospective Review.
  10. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: “ Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.
  11. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: “ Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.
  12. Cureus: “ Treatment of Leg Veins for Restless Leg Syndrome: A Retrospective Review.
  13. Phlebology: “ Restless legs syndrome in patients with chronic venous disorders: an untold story.
  14. Dermatological Surgery: “ The effect of sclerotherapy on restless legs syndrome.
  15. Phlebology: “ The effect of endovenous laser ablation on restless legs syndrome.
  16. Cureus: “ Treatment of Leg Veins for Restless Leg Syndrome: A Retrospective Review.