Varicose Veins

Your veins carry deoxygenated blood to the heart. When it’s restored with sufficient oxygen from your lungs, it travels back through your body via arteries. Valves in the veins open and close to prevent the blood from flowing backward as the blood travels to your heart. When the valves become damaged or weakened, blood pools in that area and leads to spider veins and varicose veins.

Spider veins are a milder version of varicose veins. Symptoms may vary, but they rarely cause the same consequences as varicose veins. Both types of vein disorders create cosmetic concerns. Both varicose veins and spider veins are mostly avoidable by making lifestyle changes and closely following your vein specialist’s recommendations.

How Can You Prevent Varicose Veins?

The best way to prevent problem veins is to improve your muscle tone and circulation. Exercise is the most effective means to keep your veins and your entire body healthy. Strong muscles are especially important in your legs, where varicose veins are most prevalent. Muscle contractions act as super pumps to keep valves operating at top efficiency. And your circulation improves greatly with aerobic exercise.

Various risk factors increase your chances of developing varicose veins. But you can reduce those risks by taking preventative action. Risk factors include:

• Aging. As you get older, vein valves and vein walls weaken from years of wear and tear. This weakness increases your risk of developing varicose veins. Maintain a rigorous exercise regimen as you age and see a vein specialist to catch problems early. Don’t wait until they impact your mobility.
• Family history. If other members of your family suffer from varicose veins, you’re at a higher risk. Take extra precautions, such as keeping your weight in check, wearing compression socks before you have any symptoms and avoiding work that requires you to stand all day. It’s recommended that you develop a relationship with a vein expert so you can get early intervention when you need it.
• Gender. Women are more prone to varicose veins because of the many hormonal changes they undergo throughout life. Puberty, pregnancy and menopause cause hormones to change drastically and lead to weakened blood vessel walls. Medications used to treat hormonal deficiencies also play a role in varicose vein development.
• Obesity. The pressure that extra weight puts on your blood vessel walls and valves makes it difficult for your veins to keep the blood flowing smoothly. A diet high in fat and low in fiber, coupled with a lack of aerobic and strengthening exercises, contribute to obesity and varicose veins. Losing weight and adopting healthy eating habits prevent varicose veins and other obesity-related disorders.
• Lifestyle. Wearing high heels contributes to varicose veins because of the pressure placed on your leg muscles. Sitting in one position increases the chance of blood flow being cut off and pooling. By taking pressure off your legs and elevating them whenever possible, you improve circulation and reduce the work your veins must do to fight the pull of gravity.

Symptoms That Accompany Varicose Veins

You may not show any symptoms from varicose veins; many people don’t. But you may notice the unsightly purple bulges on your legs. For most people, varicose veins also cause:

• Leg cramps at night
• Aching pain
• Skin color changes
• Swelling and itching
• Heaviness in your feet and legs

What Are Treatments Available?

Your vein doctor may run a few tests to confirm the depth of your vein problems. Since varicose veins are so visible and painful, an accurate diagnosis isn’t difficult. At our center, you have access to a number of effective treatments for varicose veins, such as:

• Endovenous laser ablation
• Endovenous radiofrequency ablation
• Venaseal
• Sclerotherapy for varicose veins
• Ulcer treatment
• Ambulatory phlebectomy