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Recognising the Symptoms of Varicose Veins: When to Seek Help

Painful, Restless Legs? It Could Be Varicose Veins

Do you suffer from heavy, aching legs or frequent leg cramps? Varicose veins are damaged veins that may appear as raised, lumpy veins on the skin’s surface. However, they can also be invisible deep veins that may cause significant discomfort.

Recognising the first signs of varicose veins is crucial for early treatment and effective management. Many people mistake their symptoms for general tiredness or restlessness in the legs, delaying early treatment.

Common Symptoms of Varicose Veins

  • Raised, bulging veins – Often appearing twisted and prominent on the legs.
  • Thread veins – Smaller, visible veins near the surface of the skin.
  • Swollen feet and ankles – Especially noticeable after prolonged standing or sitting.
  • Aching, heavy, or tired legs – A persistent feeling of discomfort and fatigue in the legs.
  • Muscle cramps and twitching – Often occurring at night or after long periods of inactivity.

“I noticed long periods of sitting were causing dull pain in my left leg.”

Understanding Poor Circulation and Varicose Veins

Poor circulation occurs when blood does not flow freely through the body. Varicose veins can disrupt normal blood circulation, causing veins to appear raised or swollen. Instead of blood flowing smoothly back to the heart, some of it pools in superficial veins, leading to symptoms such as aching, swelling, and night cramps.

Managing Symptoms at Home

Pain and discomfort from varicose veins can often be alleviated by simple lifestyle adjustments. Elevating your legs whenever possible can help reduce swelling and improve blood circulation. Using pillows or a footrest while resting, watching TV, or reading can provide relief.

Simple changes, such as taking regular breaks when sitting for long periods, can help improve blood flow and may temporarily ease varicose vein symptoms.

However, if symptoms become a daily occurrence or you experience swelling in the legs and ankles, a professional evaluation of your vascular health is recommended.

When to Seek Professional Advice

  • Changes in the skin around your legs, especially near the ankles.
  • An increase in broken veins or newly visible, raised veins.
  • Persistent swelling or discomfort that does not improve.

Expert Consultation with Michael Gaunt

For expert diagnosis and tailored treatment, book a consultation with leading vascular surgeon Mr Michael Gaunt. During your appointment, he will personally assess your condition, discuss your concerns, and conduct a Duplex ultrasound scan to examine your veins in detail. A bespoke treatment plan will be designed specifically for your needs.

Book a Consultation at a Clinic Near You

Don’t let varicose veins impact your quality of life. For professional advice and treatment, book a consultation with Michael Gaunt today.

Clinic Locations:

  • Harley Street, London
  • Cambridge
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Michael Gaunt featured in The Sunday Times

Michael Gaunt featured in The Sunday Times

10 brands to boost your body and mind

The Sunday Times showcased the top 10 health and wellbeing experts to boost your body and mind. Renowned varicose vein consultant and vascular surgeon Michael Gaunt was featured highlighting “nagging health issues that often get overlooked – like uncomfortable varicose veins”

Blemish free legs
Varicose vein and thread vein treatments

” It was an honour to be promoted alongside fellow leading surgeons, helping readers find the expert help they need “

Varicose vein clinics

Michael Gaunt offers individual consultations at any one of his renowned  varicose vein clinics in Harley Street, London, or his Cambridge varicose vein clinics: The Spire Lee and Nuffield Health. Experience bespoke treatment plans and minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins.  Michael Gaunt specialises in Endovenous Laser and ClariVein techniques. For many patients, these procedures can be performed under local anaesthetic as walk-in, walk-out treatments.

 Take care of yourself this summer: 10 brands to boost your body and mind

Your health and wellbeing

Making the most of our health and wellbeing, keeping active and eating well has a direct impact on our vascular health. As we age many of us notice small thread veins on our  ankles, knees and legs. Starting as a thin red or purple line thread veins quickly develop to form a fine web-like pattern that deepens in colour and spreads across the skin.

Thread veins may be the first visible indication that there is an underlying vascular problem. Varicose veins may not be visible but cause discomfort, pain, itching and irritation.

Restless, painful legs

Varicose vein symptoms are often overlooked. It’s a gradual process but If you notice thread veins and suffer with restless legs it’s worth seeking expert treatment.

“Many of my patients first experience discomfort at the end of the day. Relieving initial symptoms by raising their legs to alleviate pain and increase blood flow.”

Varicose vein symptoms

So, what do we need to look out for? If you notice any changes in your skin on your legs, especially around the ankles, develop thread veins or suffer with raised veins book a consultation.

  • Raised bulging veins
  • Thread veins and discoloured skin
  • Swollen feet and ankles
  • Aching, heavy and tired legs

Varicose vein treatment in London and Cambridge 

Appointments are available in London or Cambridge. During your consultation Michael Gaunt will discuss your concerns, symptoms and medical history. You will be asked about any medications you take and if there are any medications you are allergic to.

Assessment includes a full examination of your legs, including a Duplex Ultrasound scan, to identify the pattern and distribution of abnormal deep veins. Michael Gaunt will record any skin discolouration or swelling; considering your risk of developing venous eczema  or venous ulceration.

Booking a consultation with Michael Gaunt is easy, call or email us today. 
Tel: 01223 305858
Email: megsecretaries@michaelgaunt.com

 

Michael Gaunt featured in The Sunday Times
Michael Gaunt varicose vein treatment
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How to avoid varicose veins

Healthy legs: varicose vein treatment

Leading consultant vascular surgeon Mr Michael Gaunt offers his advice:

Varicose veins are very common, affecting at least 20% of the adult UK population. Symptoms can vary from unsightly, raised bulging veins to chronic leg pain and daily discomfort.

Many varicose vein symptoms increase with age or a sedentary lifestyle. Most of us are familiar with the advice to exercise regularly to avoid health risks associated with poor circulation. Did you know poor posture and lack of movement can lead to muscular stiffness, aches, and pains as well as affect your venous circulation.

Poor venous circulation symptoms:

  • Aches and pains
  • Restless legs
  • Itching skin
  • Swelling in your lower leg
  • Varicose veins
  • Thread veins
  • Skin discolouration around the ankles
  • Leg ulcers

A healthy lifestyle, eating well and finding ways to stay active is important and even more so if you have varicose veins, as weight gain can make symptoms seem worse.

Get active and improve your vein health

Varicose veins impair circulation, that’s why they often appear raised or bobbly. Instead of all the blood from the legs returning to the heart, a proportion of blood refluxes back down the superficial veins impairing the venous circulation of the leg and giving rise to the symptoms of aching, swelling and night cramps.

Poor circulation occurs when the blood doesn’t flow freely through the body. Blood flow naturally improves with the onset of activity, it needn’t be high impact, but it does need to be consistent and frequent.

You don’t have to run a marathon to improve your circulation, little changes like taking regular breaks if sitting at a desk all day, will help, and may temporarily reduce varicose vein symptoms.

Can I prevent varicose veins?

Unfortunately, you can’t prevent varicose veins, however the best way to avoid complications is to seek professional treatment early and not ignore symptoms. In the developing stages, varicose veins and thread veins may be primarily a cosmetic problem but if left untreated the condition can deteriorate and a variety of complications can occur such as leg swelling, pigmentation of the skin around the ankles and leg ulcers.

Top Tips for good vein care

  • Vary your day to include movement
  • Stretch and change your posture regularly
  • Alternatively flex and extend your ankle in a pumping action
  • Monitor your skin and vein changes
  • Seek a professional consultation and treatment package (link)
  • Varicose vein complications

Enlarged varicose veins appear twisted and raised on the skin. If left untreated further venous health complications may develop :

  • Increased pain and discomfort
  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Skin changes: broken skin and discolouration
  • Venous ulceration
  • Looking for varicose vein treatment?

Book a consultation with internationally renowned Mr Michael Gaunt, specialising in varicose vein and thread vein treatments using Endovenous Laser (EVLA), ClariVein (MOCA), Ultrasound Foam Sclerotherapy (UGFS) and saline micro-injection sclerotherapy. with award winning patient satisfaction.

· Walk-in, walk-out minimally invasive procedures

· Individual tailored treatment plans

· Diagnostic ultrasound scan

· Post-operative care

· Multi award-winning research

· Celebrated patient satisfaction

Book your consultation> 

Private Secretaries:
Tel/Fax: 01223 305858
Email: megsecretaries@michaelgaunt.com