Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins that appear close on the surface of your skin in the legs. They are a common problem and don’t require treatment most of the time. However, you need treatment if varicose veins Upper East Side present with symptoms such as pain, burning, and swelling. However, some people seek treatment for cosmetic concerns because varicose veins can be unsightly. If treatment is necessary, your healthcare provider may first recommend self-care at home, which may involve:
Exercising regularly
Regular exercise promotes blood circulation, preventing blood from accumulation in your leg veins. When you exercise, you also strengthen your leg muscles, which help the veins move blood towards the heart. Simple activities such as jogging and walking are enough to improve blood circulation and reduce symptoms such as swelling.
Avoiding sitting or standing for long periods
Varicose veins are common among office workers because they spend most of their days sitting at their desks. As such, blood pools in the veins instead of flowing to the heart, causing varicose veins. If your job requires you to be in the same position for a long time, remember to switch positions or take breaks every 30 minutes. Walking around every half an hour promotes blood circulation and may help reduce the appearance of varicose veins.
Elevating your legs
Use a pillow or stool to prop up your legs; this helps blood flow to your heart instead of accumulating in the veins.
Wearing compression stockings
Compression stockings are designed to improve circulation by steadily squeezing your legs. They are available in different compression strengths; for example, gradient compression stockings are tightest at the ankle and gradually loosen as they go up to your legs. Wearing compression stockings may help relieve pain and swelling in your legs, but it is unclear whether they prevent varicose veins from worsening or the appearance of new veins.
Compression stockings are available in different colors, lengths, and foot styles. Some compression stockings come up to the knee while others extend to your thighs, some cover your whole foot, and others have an opening at the toes. If you have deep venous, you may need to wear compression stockings for the rest of your life. They may feel uncomfortable, especially during hot weather, but you need to wear them as your doctor instructs to get the most benefit from them.
If varicose veins worsen or don’t improve with self-care measures, your doctor may recommend further treatment. Below are some of the procedures your vascular specialist may recommend.
- For this procedure, your doctor injects a solute into the varicose veins, causing them to shut and redirect blood flow to healthier veins. If the varicose veins are large, your doctor uses foam since it covers a broader surface area than a solution.
- Endovenous laser treatment involves heating the veins with short bursts of energy, causing the veins to close.
- Radiofrequency ablation uses radiofrequency energy to heat the veins of varicose veins until their walls collapse, closing them and sealing them shut.
- Endothermal ablation involves using energy from high-frequency radio waves to seal the affected veins.
If your varicose veins don’t improve with self-care, visit your Upper East Side Cardiology specialist for further treatment.
