Leg pain is probably something we all experience. But why does it happen more at night? Especially why do we feel it more when we try to go to sleep? In fact, why do we suddenly have leg cramps, especially in the middle of the night? There can be many reasons for leg pain that comes at night, and one of them is your varicose veins. Although many people perceive it as a cosmetic problem, varicose veins are not just a cosmetic problem and contain an underlying health problem in many patients.

While our arteries reach the smallest parts of the cells with the high pressure exerted by the heart, there is no heart pump pushing behind our veins, and they have to return to the heart passively against gravity, that is, they have to go up. Similarly, while there is a very thick muscle tissue in our arteries in order to withstand the high pressure exerted by the heart, the muscle tissue in the walls of the veins is thin. In order for the vein blood not to succumb to gravity and collect in the feet, ankles and lower legs, there are valves in the veins that work in one direction.

Three main headings are involved in the return of the vein to the heart.

1. Posterior propelling of arterial blood.
2. The vacuum effect of the negative pressure created in the chest cavity by breathing.
3. The most important thing is that the calf muscle gets compressed and pushes the veins blood up with the walks we call the calf muscle pump.

However, in the presence of risk factors, the thin vessel wall can be easily affected by pressure changes and the pressure created by gravity, it expands, when the existing valves cannot cover the inside of the vessel, leakage begins and a vicious circle occurs. In other words, it will expand as it leaks, it will leak as it expands, and as a result, the vein failure picture we call chronic venous insufficiency and your internal varices will appear.

What are the Risk Factors?

Your risk of venous insufficiency and varicose veins will increase if you have one or more of the following risk factors:

• Genetic predisposition
• Female gender
• Fertility
• Obesity
• Over 60 years old
• Pregnancy
• Lack of physical activity
• Sitting for long periods of time
• Working for long periods of time
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Hypertension

Complaints:

• Swelling in legs and ankles
• Tiredness
• Pain
• Burning sensation in the calves or upper thighs
• Reduction or disappearance of leg pain with walking, standing up, or holding cold water
• Itchy, dry skin
• Numbness, tingling sensation
• Difficulty standing for long periods of time
• Clots
• Wounds that do not heal on the feet, especially on the wrist and around it
• Cramps
• Restless legs syndrome

You know, there is a beautiful saying; Just because where my pain is, my soul is there, no matter where we have our pain or any complaint, the first step should always be to find the cause everywhere. Here we will talk about varicose veins, which is one of the common causes.

What Causes My Leg Pains That Come At Night?

Of course, the most valid answer to this question will be given by your doctor. He will listen to your complaints, do tests, and if necessary, request advanced tests such as ultrasonography, tomography or MR. However, some of the reasons we can mention here are as follows:

Advanced muscle activity

It has certainly caught your attention over the years; As the activity during the day increases, your leg pain increases in the evening.
Elevating your legs, stretching, massage, showering and some painkillers will relieve your pain, if your pain is not chronic.

Inactivity

Contrary to active life style, standing for a long time or staying in a sitting position for long periods of time will unfortunately cause serious leg pain in the following hours. Take care to move at frequent intervals when you need to stay still or sit for a long time. Walk around as much as possible, get up from your seat and do short exercises. Likewise, walking, massages, stretching and elevating the legs will help relieve their complaints. 

Underlying disease or physiological conditions may cause leg pain at night. Some of these may be pregnancy, neurological diseases, clots, arthritis, traumas, infection or vascular diseases. If you have pain that continues for a long time, except for the temporary situations mentioned above, please consult your doctor as soon as possible. For example, deep vein thrombosis, which is one of the potential causes, is a medical emergency that threatens your health and even your life.

What should I do if varicose veins are the cause of my leg pain at night if the cause of your complaints is an underlying vein disease, I can make some suggestions to help you:

• Keep your legs elevated at the end of the day
• Put a pillow or two under your feet during sleep
• Avoid long sitting and standing postures during the day
• Try to be as active as possible during the day
• Participate in a regular exercise program if possible
• Get rid of your excess weight
• If you have underlying controllable diseases such as hypertension or diabetes, get them under control
• If you have a diagnosed venous insufficiency, that is, get them treated as soon as possible.

In our clinic, depending on the diagnosis you will receive, your veins of all sizes and diameters will be treated with the most modern devices, with personalized methods.

Laser applications will be made for your chronic venous insufficiency and your legs will be treated. liquid or foam sclerotherapy and veingogh or exotherme device for your cosmetic problems in the ongoing period.