Varicose veins are a pain. They can cause discomfort and embarrassment, but they don’t have to if you know what causes them and how to get rid of them. The following article will teach you everything you need to know about varicose veins so that you can find relief from these pesky blood vessels once and for all.
It’s good to see a cardiologist at Upper East Side varicose veins specialist as they can offer the right solution for you. They’ll do a proper evaluation of your condition and provide the right treatment.
What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are unsightly and painful-looking bulging, bluish-purple blood vessels. They commonly develop on your legs, but they can also form in other areas, such as the vulva or scrotum. In these cases, you might hear them being referred to as “spider veins.”
What Causes Them?
The short answer is that faulty valves cause varicose veins in your veins, allowing blood to pool up and the vein walls to stretch out. This increases the pressure inside the vein, making it more likely for the vein wall to break or rupture. Some potential causes of faulty valves include:
- Damage during childbirth
- Pregnancy complications that affect the uterus, veins, or pelvic floor (leading to weakness)
- Genetic predisposition
- Some medications can also contribute to varicose veins, such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy after menopause.
- Being overweight
- Being inactive
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Before we get into how to treat varicose veins, let’s first take a look at the most common signs and symptoms to watch out for. Here are some things you might experience:
Pins and needles, a heavy sensation in your legs, tightness in the calves, pain during exercise, cramping, feeling tired, leg cramps, leg pain, or tenderness.
Treatment for Varicose Veins
There are various treatment options you can use to get rid of your varicose veins, such as:
Sclerotherapy is usually used for smaller spider veins, whereas laser ablation is most often for larger varicose veins. Both are minimally invasive procedures that happen in your doctor’s office or outpatient center. If surgery is required, the surgeon may insert a tiny camera into your leg and then use instruments to tighten or remove the damaged vein.
Another surgical technique uses radiofrequency waves that heat up and damage the vein walls so your body can reabsorb them. Sometimes, surgery might be combined with another procedure. For example, sclerotherapy or ablation, depending on the extent of your condition.
Preventing Varicose Veins
While you’ll never be able to prevent the development of varicose veins completely, there are some things you can do for reducing your risk, including:
- Elevate your legs when sitting or lying down
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Manage your blood pressure and sugar levels if you have diabetes
- Don’t smoke
If you’re looking for relief from varicose veins, it’s essential to know what causes them and how they can be treated. Varicose veins are caused by faulty valves allowing blood to pool up in your vein walls. You have to see a specialist who will help as you’ll get treatment to reverse your problems.
