Varicose veins are dark blue or purple veins that are raised up from the skin of the leg, and appear to be bulging or twisted, like a thick cord. While some varicose veins don’t require any treatment since they’re asymptomatic, others can be painful or achy, and may get worse with age or activity.
Depending on the severity of the condition and the symptoms the veins create, treatment will vary. Generally, the following approaches are most popular.
Lifestyle Changes
Pain and swelling in the legs can be treated through a series of lifestyle changes, and this is where doctors typically start. In addition to preventing the condition from becoming worse, lifestyle changes can actually prevent the formation of varicose veins if implemented early enough.
Popular lifestyle changes include limiting the amount of time spent standing or sitting without a break, increasing physical activities to encourage blood flow and boost muscle tone, losing weight, and avoiding wearing high heels, which can restrict the flow of blood through veins.
Medical Procedures
Medical procedures can be done when the condition reaches a point where lifestyle changes alone are not enough to remedy it. Designed to either remove the varicosities or close them, medical procedures such as sclerotherapy, which uses a chemical to close the vein, microsclerotherapy, which uses liquid chemicals to scar the interior of the vein and close it, and endoscopic vein surgery, which uses a small incision and internal camera to close the vein can all be helpful for remedying varicosities in the long-term.
Massage
Massage can be helpful for resolving varicosities since it has the effect of improving blood flow and enhancing muscle tone. While not enough of a treatment to resolve the varicosities on its own, massage is ideal for complimenting other treatments and making life with a condition like this more bearable.
Preventing Varicosities
While it’s impossible to take sure-fire steps to prevent varicosities from forming, it is possible to take preventative action to ensure existing veins don’t become worse. These steps typically fall into the “lifestyle changes” category, and include limiting the time spent standing or sitting and avoiding crossing the legs when a person does sit. In some cases, doctors may recommend that a person raises his or her legs with a pillow when sitting or sleeping. Physical activity is also recommended, since it helps enhance blood flow and get the circulation going. Tight clothing is not recommended, since it can cut off blood flow and make existing varicosities worse.
While living with varicosities can be frustrating, there is a good selection of treatment for varicose veins in Hialeah, and people accustomed to the condition can easily find a specialist who can help them resolve the pain, burning, or throbbing caused by the varicosities. While curing the varicosities may not always be possible, it is realistic to improve them, cut down on pain and symptoms, and encourage healing.
