You may be instructed to elevate your feet above the level of your heart 3 or 4 times a day for about 15 minutes at a time. If you need to sit or stand for a long period of time, flexing bending your legs occasionally can help keep blood circulating.
If you have mild to moderate varicose veins, elevating your legs can help reduce leg swelling and relieve other symptoms. Compression stockings. These elastic stockings squeeze the veins and prevent blood from pooling.
Compression stockings can be effective if they are worn every day. Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for both spider and varicose veins. A salt saline or chemical solution is injected into the varicose veins. They no longer carry blood. And, other veins take over. Thermal ablation. Lasers or radiofrequency energy may be used to treat varicose veins. A tiny fiber is inserted into a varicose vein through a catheter. The laser or radiofrequency energy is used to deliver heat that destroys the wall of the varicose vein.
Special tools inserted through small cuts incisions are used to remove varicose veins. It may be done alone or with vein stripping. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What are spider veins? What causes varicose veins?
What are the risk factors for varicose veins? Factors that may increase pressure include: Overweight or obesity Older age Being female Being inactive Leg injury Pregnancy Smoking Taking oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement. What are the symptoms of varicose veins? How are varicose veins diagnosed? In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, diagnostic procedures for varicose veins may include: Duplex ultrasound.
What is the treatment for varicose veins? Specific treatment for varicose veins will be determined by your healthcare provider based on: Your age, overall health, and medical history Extent of the condition Your signs and symptoms Your tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies Expectations for the course of the condition Your opinion or preference Medical treatment may not be necessary if there are no symptoms.
Sometimes, varicose veins can damage the lymphatic system and lead to a condition called lymphedema , which causes swelling, often in the feet and toes. Some people who have lymphedema may also develop cellulitis — a serious skin infection that causes inflammation to the soft tissue of the skin. Other people may develop venous stasis dermatitis , where the skin becomes leathery and ruddy-brown. Sometimes clear-yellow fluid weeps through the skin.
Varicose veins can also lead to dermatitis , which is an itchy, inflamed rash. When caused by varicose veins, the rash will often appear on the lower leg or ankle. Dermatitis can cause bleeding, skin ulcers, or sores that can be painful and become infected if scratched or irritated. Varicose veins can also lead to inflammation and the formation of a clot in the vein. Often this clot will be close to the surface of the skin in a condition known as superficial thrombophlebitis.
Unfortunately, there is little evidence that people can prevent varicose veins from occurring, but they can make various lifestyle changes that may help lessen symptoms and possibly prevent varicose veins from worsening. Varicose veins do not always require treatment. However, if they are causing pain, there are various treatment options available.
If symptoms are minimal to mild, the doctor will likely advise the person to try the prevention methods mentioned above first to see if they help reduce pain and discomfort.
If they do not help, then a doctor might recommend the following treatment methods :. In the first instance, a doctor will likely suggest compression stockings combined with elevating the legs and exercising regularly. A person may need to wear the stockings for around 6 months before they feel the full effect. Compression stockings compress the leg tissue around the veins to prevent blood from pooling. They are designed to help reduce associated aching and swelling.
The doctor uses a local anesthetic to numb the affected area, so the procedure is painless. Once the ablation is complete, the doctor will wrap the area in a compression bandage. This procedure involves injecting a foam called sclerosant into a varicose vein.
The foam causes the vein to spasm, scar, and clot, which will then close the vein off. Some people may require surgery, which can include ligation — where the veins are tied to stop the blood pooling — or stripping, where a surgeon removes the vein.
Doctors do not consider varicose veins to be a serious condition, and people who have them without any discomfort do not need to see a doctor. If you have varicose veins and they are painful, talk to your doctor. If you have a swollen varicose vein or leg that is painful, red and warm to the touch, please seek medical attention immediately to be evaluated for a deep vein thrombosis. Remember, you may not necessarily need surgery to get varicose veins treatment. Today, there are minimally invasive alternatives to surgery available that may be a good option for you.
Talk to your doctor to learn more. Sources i Lin, F. Int Surg, Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg,
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