RLS affects 10-15% of the general population. It is an irresistible urge to move one's body to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations. It most commonly affects the legs. Moving the affected body part modulates the sensations, providing temporary relief.
What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are the blue, ropey veins that have become enlarged and lost their ability to effectively transport blood back to the heart due to venous insufficiency.
What is the relationship between varicose veins and RLS?Healthy veins return blood to the heart. When patients experience vein failure, blood begins to flow backwards toward the feet, causing blood to pool in these unhealthy veins. This can lead to a buildup of toxic metabolic waste, which can cause aching, throbbing, cramping, fatigue and symptoms of RLS.
Radiofrequency Laser Ablation — The Venefit™ procedure — formerly known as the VNUS Closure Technique — is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins in which a vein specialist inserts a catheter in to the diseased vein causing it to collapse and close. After the vein is sealed shut, blood is naturally re-routed to other healthier veins.
Sclerotherapy — During sclerotherapy, your physician injects a chemical into your varicose veins.The chemical irritates and scars your veins from the inside out so your abnormal veins can then no longer fill with blood. Blood that would normally return to the heart through these veins returns to the heart through other veins. Your body will eventually absorb the veins that received the injection. Other forms of Sclerotherapy treatments include foam sclerotherapy and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.
Recent Studies have shown that RLS patients have seen a dramatic drop or elimination of their symptoms through varicose vein therapy.
Pictures courtesy of the Society of Vascular Surgery (VascularWeb.org) and Society of Interventional Radiology (SIRweb.org).