Treatment FAQ

when to get treatment for varicose veins

by Lucie Beier Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Varicose veins do not always need treatment. If your varicose veins are not causing you discomfort, you may not need to have treatment. Treatment of varicose veins is usually only necessary to: ease symptoms – if your varicose veins are causing you pain or discomfort.

When should I be concerned about varicose veins?

If you have varicose veins and experience any of the following symptoms, it's time to give your doctor a call: Severe and continuous pain and swelling in the legs. Heaviness and/or dull, achy feeling in the legs at the end of the day, or after physical activity.May 21, 2018

Is it better to treat varicose veins early?

Myth 6: Women should wait to treat varicose veins until they're done having children. “Actually, it isn't necessary to wait,” says Dr. Boyle. “Women may benefit from having early treatment, even before becoming pregnant.”Aug 23, 2019

Can you leave varicose veins untreated?

Varicose veins can become more than just a cosmetic concern. They can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. These complications can range from moderate to serious issues such as superficial venous thrombophlebitis, bleeding episodes and (thankfully rarely) deep vein clots.

Can varicose veins go away naturally?

Varicose and spider veins do not just go away on their own, but they can sometimes become less visible. You may also find that symptoms temporarily go away at times, particularly if you lose weight or increase physical activity. However, your vein symptoms will likely return over time.Dec 11, 2020

Can you get rid of varicose veins without surgery?

Minimally invasive options exist, and most problem veins — from the tiniest spider veins to larger varicose veins — can be treated without surgery. Newer techniques include the use of heat, glue or a solution injected directly into the veins. Treatment for varicose veins should be personalized to the individual.Jan 16, 2019

Is walking good for varicose veins?

Walking is especially good for people who suffer from varicose veins, due to the fact that walking is a very low-impact workout. There is no jarring or pounding of your legs — just a simple movement that helps strengthen your calf muscles without straining your body.

What happens if you ignore varicose veins?

Increased pain and swelling – When varicose veins go untreated, the veins continue to get more damaged, which ends up making the pain worse and the legs swollen.

What to avoid with varicose veins?

Worst Foods for Varicose Veins
  • Fried foods. These can clog your arteries making it harder for the blood to flow through them.
  • Milk and cheese can slow down the digestive system and cause constipation which enables the veins to swell.
  • Processed meats. ...
  • White bread. ...
  • Alcohol.
Oct 18, 2021

How to tell if you have varicose veins?

We suggest that you keep an eye out for these common varicose vein symptoms: A feeling of heaviness in the legs. Swelling in the calves, ankles, or feet. An itching or burning sensation near your visible veins. Pain relief when legs are elevated. Restlessness, especially at night. Leg cramping or aching.

Do varicose veins disappear on their own?

Don’t just brush these issues aside. Only about 10 percent of affected individuals seek treatment, but varicose veins don’t just disappear on their own. In fact, they usually get worse over time.

Is it dangerous to have varicose veins?

Unfortunately, many people believe that these veins pose no real health danger. This simply isn’t true. The reality is that varicose veins are often a sign of underlying vein disease, also known as venous insufficiency. Vein disease occurs when damaged vein valves cause blood to pool within the legs.

What causes varicose veins in legs?

The reality is that varicose veins are often a sign of underlying vein disease, also known as venous insufficiency. Vein disease occurs when damaged vein valves cause blood to pool within the legs. This can result in unpleasant or painful symptoms.

What does it feel like to have veins in your legs?

We suggest that you keep an eye out for these common varicose vein symptoms: A feeling of heaviness in the legs. Swelling in the calves, ankles, or feet.

How to know if you have veins in your legs?

We suggest that you keep an eye out for these common varicose vein symptoms: A feeling of heaviness in the legs. Swelling in the calves, ankles, or feet. An itching or burning sensation near your visible veins.

What is endovenous laser treatment?

Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): This technique is considered the gold standard when it comes to treating vein disease. During this procedure, your doctor will use ultrasound guidance to insert a very fine laser fiber into the problematic vein.

Do you need to treat varicose veins?

Treatment. Varicose veins do not always need treatment. If your varicose veins are not causing you discomfort, you may not need to have treatment. Treatment of varicose veins is usually only necessary to: ease symptoms – if your varicose veins are causing you pain or discomfort.

What is the treatment for veins?

Endothermal ablation. One of the first treatments offered will usually be endothermal ablation. This involves using energy either from high-frequency radio waves (radiofrequency ablation) or lasers (endovenous laser treatment) to seal the affected veins.

Do stockings help with varicose veins?

They may help relieve the pain, discomfort and swelling in your legs caused by your varicose veins. But it's not known whether the stockings help prevent your varicose veins getting worse , or if they prevent new varicose veins appearing.

Can compression stockings be used for varicose veins?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) only recommends using compression stockings as a long-term treatment for varicose veins if all other treatments are not suitable for you.

How long does it take for varicose veins to fade?

After sclerotherapy, your varicose veins should begin to fade after a few weeks as stronger veins take over the role of the damaged vein, which is no longer filled with blood. You may require treatment more than once before the vein fades, and there's a chance the vein may reappear.

What is the procedure to remove varicose veins?

Surgery. If endothermal ablation treatments and sclerotherapy are unsuitable for you, you'll usually be offered a surgical procedure called ligation and stripping to remove the affected veins. Varicose vein surgery is usually carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep during the procedure.

What is the procedure called when you inject glue into your veins?

Another new procedure is called cyanoacrylate glue occlusion. This involves injecting a special type of glue into affected veins. The glue seals the veins shut, stopping them filling with blood and improving symptoms.

Is varicose vein thrombosis treatable?

It is treatable. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): People with varicose veins have a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in a vein deep inside the body. Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the body (usually resulting from DVT) can become lodged in the lung.

How to tell if you have varicose veins?

The most recognizable sign of varicose veins is a gnarled, blue or purple vein just under the skin’s surface. Symptoms include: Bulging veins: Twisted, swollen, rope-like veins are often blue or purple. They appear just below the surface of the skin on the legs, ankles and feet. They can develop in clusters.

What are purple veins?

Varicose Veins. Varicose veins are twisted, blue or purple veins that bulge under the skin’s surface. They don’t usually cause serious health problems. If veins are painful or bleeding, or if the area is swollen, see your healthcare provider.

Is it dangerous to have spider veins?

Although they can be unsightly and uncomfortable, varicose veins aren’t dangerous for most people. In some cases, severe varicose veins can lead to serious health problems, such as blood clots.

What is the difference between spider veins and varicose veins?

What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins and spider veins are both types of venous disease, but they look different. Spider veins are smaller and thinner than varicose veins. They look like a red or blue spider webs or branches of a tree, and they are close to the skin’s surface.

Where do spider veins appear?

Spider veins aren’t usually painful. They can appear anywhere on the body, most often behind the knee, on the feet or on the face. Varicose veins usually appear on the feet and legs.

Why do veins get bigger?

Varicose veins occur when the walls of veins become weakened. As blood pressure in the vein increases, the weakened walls allow the vein to get bigger. As the vein stretches, the valves in the vein can’t work like they should. Sluggish blood backs up or pools in the vein, causing the vein to swell, bulge and twist.

How to treat varicose veins?

Home treatment may be all you need to ease your symptoms and keep the varicose veins from getting worse. You can: 1 Wear compression stockings. 2 Prop up (elevate) your legs. 3 Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. 4 Get plenty of exercise.

What is the treatment for spider veins?

Laser treatment. Laser energy is used to scar and destroy varicose veins. This is called ablation. Simple laser therapy is done on small veins close to the skin, such as spider veins. The laser is used outside of your skin. Endovenous laser therapy uses a laser fiber inserted into the vein.

How to help with varicose veins?

If a person has varicose veins, they can try the following home remedies to help manage the condition and improve symptoms: 1. Exercise. Regular exercise encourages better blood circulation in the legs, which helps to push along the blood that has collected in the veins.

Can you treat varicose veins at home?

Varicose veins can cause discomfort and make a person feel self-conscious. Treating varicose veins at home is possible, and diet and lifestyle changes may improve the symptoms. People with severe varicose veins may wish to seek medical treatments to help reduce their appearance and improve symptoms.

Can varicose veins cause pain?

Here’s our process. Varicose veins occur when a person’s veins become swollen and enlarged. In some people, they can cause pain and discomfort. A range of home treatments may help to reduce the appearance and pain of varicose veins. Around 20 percent. Trusted Source.

Why do veins look purple?

Varicose veins have a dark blue or purple appearance and may bulge out from underneath the skin. Varicose veins can develop when small valves in the veins become weak. These valves usually stop blood flowing backward through the veins, and when they are damaged blood can pool in the veins.

How to keep blood flowing through veins?

Massage. Gently massaging the affected areas can help to keep the blood moving through the veins. A person can use gentle massage oils or moisturizer for optimal effects. It is crucial to avoid pressing directly onto the veins, however, as this may damage fragile tissues.

How to reduce swelling in lower legs?

Herbal remedies. According to the National Institute of Health. Trusted Source. , taking grape seed extract, Vitis vinifera, orally may help to reduce swelling in the lower legs and other symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, though there is currently limited evidence for its effectiveness.

Does Vitis vinifera help with swelling?

According to the National Institute of Health#N#Trusted Source#N#, taking grape seed extract, Vitis vinifera, orally may help to reduce swelling in the lower legs and other symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, though there is currently limited evidence for its effectiveness.

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