Ever feel like you must move your legs, but you’re not sure why? Maybe it started after a new medication, or perhaps it gets worse after standing all day. Leg restlessness can be frustrating and exhausting, and it’s not always easy to tell what’s behind it.
Two common but very different causes are akathisia, a movement side effect from certain medications, and vein-related leg discomfort from conditions like varicose veins, spider veins, or venous insufficiency. Understanding the difference can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Center for Vein Restoration is the largest physician-led vein center in the United States, with a reputation for excellence, compassion, and proven results. From advanced diagnostic tools to minimally invasive treatments, we have everything you need for healthier, more comfortable legs.
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The National Library of Medicine (NIH) defines akathisia as a neuropsychiatric syndrome marked by an intense inner restlessness and the irresistible urge to move, most often in the legs. People with akathisia may constantly shift their weight, pace, or fidget. Unlike muscle cramps or swelling, this discomfort isn’t caused by a physical injury or circulation problem, stemming from changes in the brain’s chemical balance.
Akathisia most often develops as a side effect of certain medications, especially antipsychotics (used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression) and some antidepressants like SSRIs. It can also occur with other drugs, such as certain anti-nausea medications or stimulants.
Symptoms may begin within days or weeks of starting a new medication, increasing a dose, or, in some cases, reducing or stopping a drug too quickly. If you notice unusual restlessness after a medication change, it’s essential to contact your prescribing physician promptly.
Not all leg restlessness is akathisia. Two other common causes of “can’t sit still” legs are restless legs syndrome (RLS) and discomfort from vein disease like chronic venous insufficiency.
The chart below highlights key differences:
Knowing when to seek help—and from whom—is key.
At Center for Vein Restoration, you’re treated by board-certified vein specialists who perform thousands of successful outpatient vein procedures every year. Our focus is on patient comfort, safety, and results, so you can trust you’re getting the highest standard of vein care. Schedule your consultation today and see the CVR difference.
Venous insufficiency happens when the valves in your leg veins weaken, allowing blood to pool instead of flowing back to the heart. Over time, this can lead to:
If your restlessness comes with any of these signs, your discomfort is more likely related to a vein problem than to akathisia.
Don’t Ignore the Signs of Vein Disease
Venous insufficiency is a progressive condition that won’t go away on its own. The sooner you’re evaluated, the sooner you can prevent complications—and start feeling better. Schedule your consultation with a Center for Vein Restoration vascular specialist today.
Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.
CVR accepts many insurances, including Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, MultiPlan, Medicaid, Medicare, and more.
Several factors increase the risk of varicose veins and venous insufficiency:
While not all cases can be avoided, you can reduce your risk and improve vein health by:
Treating akathisia is very different from treating vein-related discomfort. Akathisia typically improves once the underlying medication issue is addressed, often with dose adjustments or medication changes. Vein-related discomfort, on the other hand, may require lifestyle changes, minimally invasive vein treatments, or both, to improve circulation and prevent progression.
Misdiagnosis can delay the right treatment—and prolong your discomfort. That’s why it’s important to share all your symptoms, medical history, and medication use with your healthcare provider.
If you’re unsure which category your symptoms fit into, start with a thorough medical evaluation. Sometimes, both conditions can even occur in the same person, requiring a team approach.
❓Questions about your restless leg symptoms? Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a helpful, informative Center for Vein Restoration Patient Services Representative for more information.
Leg restlessness can stem from many causes: some neurological, some vascular. Akathisia is a neurological side effect that needs prompt medical attention. Venous insufficiency is a circulation problem that can worsen over time without treatment. Both can interfere with your quality of life, but the solutions are different.
If leg pain, swelling, or visible vein problems are part of what you’re feeling, CVR’s board-certified vein experts are here to help. Our nationwide vein centers specialize in diagnosing and treating vein disease with safe, effective, minimally invasive procedures—so you can move comfortably again.
Schedule your consultation at Center for Vein Restoration today and take the first step toward healthier, more comfortable legs.
📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
1. What is akathisia, and how is it different from vein-related leg discomfort?
Akathisia is a neurological condition, often caused by certain medications, that leads to an intense inner restlessness and an uncontrollable urge to move. Vein-related discomfort, on the other hand, is caused by circulation problems like venous insufficiency, varicose veins, or spider veins, and is often accompanied by swelling, heaviness, or visible vein changes.
2. When should I see a vein specialist instead of my prescribing physician?
If your symptoms began after starting or changing a psychiatric medication, you should first see your prescribing physician, psychiatrist, or neurologist. If your symptoms include leg pain, swelling, or visible varicose or spider veins, especially if they worsen at the end of the day, you should see a vein specialist at Center for Vein Restoration.
3. What causes varicose veins and venous insufficiency?
Common risk factors include genetics, prolonged standing or sitting, pregnancy, obesity, and aging. These factors can weaken the valves in your leg veins, causing blood to pool and leading to varicose veins, spider veins, and other symptoms of venous insufficiency.
4. How can I help prevent varicose veins?
While you can’t change risk factors like genetics, you can lower your risk by staying active, taking walking breaks if you sit or stand for long periods, elevating your legs when resting, maintaining a healthy weight, and wearing compression stockings if recommended by a vein doctor.
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