How to Get Rid of Varicose Veins

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For some people, varicose veins and their smaller cousins, spider veins, are merely a cosmetic issue. For others, however, the larger veins are a source of persistent throbbing pain.

According to the Mayo Clinic at mayoclinic.com, varicose veins occur most frequently in individuals between the ages of 30 and 70. Risk factors increase with age. Women are more likely than men to develop them. Genetics, obesity, and standing for long periods of time also predispose an individual to this problem.

These days, treatment to get rid of these troublesome vessels usually doesn’t involve an overnight hospital stay or a miserable, painful recovery. Patients have a choice of trying several self-care techniques before seeking surgery to get rid of the veins.

Self-care

Many lifestyle and home remedies reduce the discomfort of varicose veins. Three important ways are increasing circulation in your legs by walking or by any other doctor-approved form of exercise, shedding any extra weight, and watching your intake of salt. You should also avoid high heels and clothing that constricts your waist, legs or groin.

Varicose veins will bother you less if you take several short breaks each day to elevate your legs above heart level. You should also avoid long periods of sitting or standing as well as sitting with your legs crossed.

Before deciding they need surgery to get rid of their varicose veins, many patients will want to try wearing compression stockings all day. These hose help veins and leg muscles move blood more efficiently. They’re available at most pharmacies and medical supplies stores.

Surgery

When self-care isn’t enough, your doctor might suggest one of several outpatient vein treatments. Sclerotherapy involves injecting small- and medium-sized veins. Although the solution closes them, multiple injections might be needed.

Doctors use laser treatments on smaller varicose veins as well as spider veins. A catheter-assisted procedure utilizes a heated tool to make large veins collapse and seal, then self-destruct.

Vein stripping requires making a small incision, then removing a long vein through it. Your doctor might instead opt to perform an ambulatory phlebectomy. This procedure removes small veins though very small skin punctures, leaving minimal scarring.

For advanced cases with leg ulcers, the surgeon might perform endoscopic vein surgery. Using a thin video camera, the doctor closes varicose veins. He or she then removes them through small incisions.

Because there are currently so many advertisements for varicose vein treatment, patients must be wise consumers. The Mayo Clinic advises caution when viewing ads that claim treatment that’s “unique,” “permanent,” or “painless.”

It’s important to ask your physician about any potential side effects and risks regarding the procedure you’re considering. Patients should also ask up front about the potential cost. Some health insurance policies consider the treatment cosmetic surgery and therefore won’t cover it. Many policies require the patient to have specific symptoms like swelling and bleeding before deeming surgery a medical necessity.

While treatment techniques to get rid of painful vessels have improved dramatically over the years, all patients should realize that they might face a recurrence of varicose veins at some point.