How To Treat Varicose Veins
Varicose veins is a condition in which the veins are swollen and twisted, thereby not working as well as they should. This causes a build up of blood, giving it a dark blue or purple color. Anyone can develop varicose veins, but it’s more common among women.
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Along with being unsightly and very noticeable, bulging varicose veins (venous disease) can also get itchy and painful, and may be surrounded by smaller veins that are closer to the skin’s surface, also referred to as “spider veins.” It can also appear on the torso area and on men’s testicles, which can lead to infertility if left untreated, along with ulcers and dark brown discolorations. There are many possible factors that can cause or contribute to the development of this common condition, such as genetic inheritance, sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time every day, age, poor lifestyle, leg injury, certain health problems, obesity, pregnancy, taking birth control pills, hormonal changes due to menopause, and smoking cigarettes.
Although it is usually not a dangerous condition by itself, it can potentially lead to life threatening blood clots in more severe cases, which would render it a medical emergency. This is why it’s important to treat varicose veins before it gets to that dire point. Currently, there are several treatment options available, and the earlier they are called to action, the more effective they have shown to be. Your dermatologist or other healthcare provider can easily diagnose the condition with a quick and easy physical examination, and will then ask you various questions and check your medical file in order to determine which treatment is safest and best for you.
With that being said, listed below are some of the following treatment methods that have proven to be effective in reducing varicose veins, and may even eliminate them altogether in minor cases.
Self- Care Methods
If you have a minor case of varicose veins, then practicing daily self – care can be very helpful. Some of these methods include:
Exercise More And Practice Daily Leg Elevation: Lay down flat on your back on your bed or some other comfortable place. Then, grab some pillows and elevate your feet above the level of your heart 3 or 4 times a day, for about 15 minutes at a time.
If your job requires you to sit or stand for a long period of time, try flexing (bending) your legs and getting up for a short exercise break at least once per hour or two. This will help keep your blood circulating at an optimum level, along with reducing the swelling and pain.
Reduce Your Daily Salt Intake: Although we all need some salt each day, excessive amounts cause water retention and swelling. So the less salt you consume per day, the better.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is another beneficial treatment option for minor cases. ACV helps clean the body and enhances the circulation of blood through the veins. When the blood flow conditions become stable, the veins will naturally avert to normal size.
Simply apply ACV on the area of varicose veins. Allow the skin ample time to adapt to it, then massage it lightly. Perform this simple remedy every day before dozing off and right after waking up. Follow this routine until you see a visible reduction in the size and noticeability of the varicose veins.
Alternatively, you can also drink the apple cider vinegar by mixing it into a glass of water. Vinegar has proven to offer a number of health benefits as well, such as reducing high blood pressures, blood clots and cholesterol levels, along with killing the bad bacteria in the arteries.
Compression Stockings
In moderate cases, self care methods may not be sufficient, in which case your doctor may instruct you to purchase compression stockings.
Compression stockings are designed to be worn daily. These special stockings therapeutically squeeze the legs, helping veins and leg muscles pump and carry blood with improved ease and efficiency. The amount / level of compression varies by type and brand. These stockings can be found at most pharmacies and medical supply stores. In addition, prescription- only versions are also available, and may even be covered by insurance, so it’s worth checking before buying it.
Non-Invasive Treatments
Sometimes, all the treatments previously mentioned may not be enough. In this case, your doctor will first try at least one of the following non-invasive treatment procedures:
Sclerotherapy: In this procedure, the varicose veins are injected with a foamy solution that scars and closes those veins. In a few weeks, those veins should significantly fade. However, the same vein might need to be injected more than once. This procedure can be done in a healthcare provider’s office and doesn’t require anesthesia.
Laser Treatment: Laser treatment sends strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein gradually fade and disappear. No cuts or needles are needed, and any marks left by the treatment usually fade quickly.
Invasive Treatments
In severe cases, if all else has failed to provide sufficient relief in symptoms and vein visibility, then you will need to undergo one of the more invasive procedures:
Catheter-based radiofrequency or laser energy: This procedure is the preferred treatment for larger varicose veins. A health care provider inserts a thin catheter into an enlarged vein and heats the tip of the catheter, using either radiofrequency or laser energy. As the catheter is carefully removed, the heat collapses the vein and seals it shut, thereby destroying the vein.
High ligation and vein stripping: This procedure involves tying off a vein before it has a chance to join a deeper vein, and removing the vein via a number of small cuts. This is an outpatient procedure for most people. Removing the vein is safe, as the veins deeper within the leg will take care of the larger volumes of blood.
