Managing Varicose Veins

As doctors describe them, varicose veins represent large veins that can be found mostly on the legs. The chances of developing varicose veins are very high if other members of your family have them, or if you suffer from various conditions that involve straining, such as constipation or chronic cough. Moreover, the risk increases in women, people over 50 years old and people whose jobs involve a lot of standing up.

If you experience pain or itchiness in the legs and a heavy feeling, varicose veins might be the cause. The aspects that lead to this condition are usually malfunctioning valves, veins that have weak walls and high blood pressure. Varicose veins may also cause complications, such as thrombosis, infections, and inflammation and leg ulcers. The condition can easily be identified by a physician, through an examination and an evaluation of the potential risks. More complex information can be found by using imaging studies, for people who experience severe forms of the condition or in order to see whether there are varicosities in the deeper veins. One of the methods involves Duplex Doppler ultrasonography, a technology that is very helpful and effective, while being harmless and non-intrusive.

There are ways through which you can manage varicose veins, such as taking long walks, keeping the problematic leg up, refraining from standing for a long period of time. Moreover, you should wear a special type of stockings that compress the leg, or use bandages or devices that have the same effect, and refrain from wearing tight clothing. For people that are overweight, losing the extra pounds will help them manage this issue, as it diminishes the pressure on the legs.

Although it is said that diuretics might help with this problem, the scientific proof is scarce. Some of the substances that have been tested and found to decrease edema are horse chestnut and butcher’s broom. Other treatments that are not so mild are endovenous, by injection and by laser, but there aren’t any reviews that analyze if these types of treatment are worth the money.

The laser treatment works by sending light beams towards the veins, leading to thermo coagulation. Another method, sclerotherapy, involves the injection of a chemical substance into the vein, which ruins the blood vessel. It is said that this procedure might have side effects and varicosities might reform, but specialists say that it is generally effective for small veins.

However, the most common treatment is through surgery, especially if the saphenous vein is affected. This procedure involves the ligature of various parts of the vein, as to produce portions. Usually, surgery leaves many scars, which is why many tiny incisions are made, in order to reduce the visible marks and bleeding. The bad news is that no treatment is permanent, most of them only being able to reduce the symptoms and diminish the risk of developing any complications. The way to manage varicose veins is determined by the symptoms that each individual experiences, the risks and the available treatment.