Treatment of Varicose Veins

Many of those affected by varicose veins are often worried about how unpleasant they look, especially true for some women. There are however, several ways which can help in the treatment of varicose veins at home to prevent them from becoming worse. For severe cases of varicose veins, consult your physician for advice on what medical procedures will work for your particular diagnosis and situation.

Managing Varicose Veins

You can start managing varicose veins by frequently elevating your legs to a level where they are higher than the heart. This will usually promote movement of blood from the legs going to the heart. The underlying problem in varicose veins is mostly due to the weakening of the valves in the veins that make the blood flow slowly and cause engorgement of the affected vein, eventually making the vein swollen and enlarged.

Physical activity can help return proper circulation of blood from the legs to the heart and can be an effective treatment for varicose veins. These often include simple exercises like walking and jogging which are known to promote good blood circulation.

Being over-weight or obese also increases the pressure on the veins of the legs. Losing the excess weight can also help prevent further formation of varicose veins in the area. Eating foods which are high in fiber and low in salt content is often encouraged. Avoiding alcohol is also a simple way of promoting good blood circulation because alcohol is said to cause dilation of veins in the legs.

If your work entails standing or sitting for hours, it is important to move the legs or change position often. Sitting crosslegs should also be avoided. Avoid the use of tight clothing which can impede the movement of blood from the legs to the heart.

Many health experts also advise the use of compression stockings in the management of varicose veins as they steadily compress the legs and increase circulation of blood in the area. These stockings should also be worn during the day. There are several kinds to choose from, but what is important is that one uses a stocking that fits well.

Medical Procedures

More serious cases can be dealt with through several medical procedures. One of these methods is called sclerotherapy and it involves injecting a solution into the affected vein to effect scar formation. The formation of this scar will cause the vein to close and allow blood flow to reroute using veins that are stronger and healthier.

In some cases, the treatment of varicose veins may require surgery. The standard surgical procedure for varicose veins is called surgical vein stripping and involves the removal of either the small saphenous vein or the great saphenous vein. It is removed by making incisions at the ankle, the knee and the groin.

Another type of surgery is laser surgery and it can be employed to treat less severe cases of varicose veins.

References

Mayo Clinic: Varicose Veins, www.mayoclinic.org/varicose-veins/treatment.html

eMedecinehealth: Varicose Veins, www.emedicinehealth.com/varicose_veins/page6_em.htm#Varicose%20Veins%20Treatment

WebMD: Varicose Veins - Topic Overview, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/varicose-veins-topic-overview