Veins carry blood to your heart and lungs, making them essential for your survival. Unfortunately, standing for long periods of time can damage the leg veins and valves, leading to chronic pain and other symptoms. If you have vein pain from standing, you’re not alone. Find out how our vein treatment clinic can help you improve your quality of life.

How Prolonged Standing Impacts Vein Health in Canton, GA

When you stand for long periods, the pressure within your leg veins increases, causing blood to pool in your lower legs and feet. Canton is home to Herzog Contracting, Georgia Power, Northside Hospital and other major employers, so it’s common for residents to stand for long periods as part of their employment. For example, nurses at Northside Hospital frequently stand at patients’ bedsides while providing direct care. This can lead to chronic vein pain from standing.

Canton also has many recreational activities that require long periods of standing. For instance, many people love to fish at Hickory Log Creek Reservoir. If you fish from the shore instead of using a boat, you might spend several hours standing while you try to catch your limit.

Common Vein Issues Caused by Standing All Day in Georgia’s Climate

Varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency are two of the most common causes of vein pain from standing. Varicose veins are bulging, enlarged veins near the skin’s surface. In some people, this condition is merely cosmetic. It changes the appearance of the veins, but it doesn’t cause any functional issues. Other people experience chronic discomfort due to their varicose veins. You may have a burning, throbbing, aching or heavy feeling in your legs, especially after standing or sitting for long periods.

Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition that makes it difficult for blood to flow from your legs back to your heart. It develops due to damage in any of the leg veins, such as the deep veins that run through muscle or the superficial veins that are close to the surface of your skin. CVI may cause these symptoms:

• Burning or tingling
• Achy legs
• Swelling in the lower legs
• Discolored skin
• Leg cramps at night

When it’s hot outside, your heart circulates more blood than usual in an attempt to keep you cool. In Georgia’s warm climate, this can increase the risk of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency.

Warning Signs Your Veins Need Medical Attention

You may benefit from vein treatment in standing if you have any of these problems:

• Leg pain and heaviness. Varicose veins, CVI and other vein conditions can cause chronic pain or a feeling of heaviness in your legs.
• Skin discoloration. When the pressure in your leg veins gets too high, it can cause blood to leak into the surrounding tissues. Look for areas of reddish-brown discoloration to determine if you need to visit a vein treatment clinic.
• Swelling. If your leg veins can’t pump blood back to your heart effectively, the blood starts to pool in your lower extremities. The extra fluid can cause swelling that makes it more difficult to move around and keep the skin on your legs in good condition.

Practical Tips to Protect Your Veins During Long Periods of Standing

If you have vein pain from standing, try these lifestyle changes:

• Wear compression socks. Compression socks reduce swelling, prevent blood clots and relieve the achy feeling that sometimes develops when you stand for long periods. These socks are tightest at the ankles, so they help push blood back toward the heart.
• Take frequent breaks. If possible, take frequent breaks from standing in one place. If you can’t sit down, at least walk briskly to reduce the pressure on your veins and restore normal circulation.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight puts pressure on the veins in your legs, increasing the risk for varicose veins and circulation problems. Experts from May Clinic Health System say that losing just 10% of your body weight can reduce your risk.

Effective Treatments for Vein Pain and Varicose Veins at Georgia Medical Treatment Center

Georgia Medical Treatment Center offers minimally invasive vein treatment to relieve pain and help you get more enjoyment out of life. Available treatment options include VENCLOSE™ and Varithena™. VENCLOSE shrinks varicose veins by delivering heat directly to the vein wall, while Varithena closes the damaged vein with microfoam. Both treatments redirect blood flow to healthier veins, eliminating pain, swelling and other symptoms.

When to Schedule a Consultation with a Vein Specialist in Canton

Increased pain and swelling may indicate a serious problem, so schedule a consultation with a vein treatment clinic if you have leg pain and swelling that don’t improve with self-care measures. Book an appointment with Georgia Medical Treatment Center to explore your minimally invasive treatment options.