Effective treatment options for varicose veins

Dr.Amrish Kumar, 4 mins read

Varicose veins are treatable. The initial line of treatment starts at home. If that doesn’t help, you need medical treatment. Here, we are going to discuss the most effective treatment for varicose veins. So you can get relief from the discomfort and bad appearance of bulged and enlarged veins.

What are varicose veins?
We have a network of blood vessels that carry blood from across the body parts to the heart, known as veins. Of them, the veins of the legs have a harder role as they have to work against gravity to return the blood.

These veins have tiny valves that open when blood flows towards the heart and then close to stop blood from flowing backwards. Problems in these valves can make blood flow backwards and pool in the veins. This causes the veins to stretch or twist and become noticeable beneath the skin.

The problem usually occurs in those who have a routine of long periods of standing, sitting, and walking. These activities put pressure on the lower body and affect the veins’ valves over time.

Varicose veins are usually not painful. However, the condition makes the veins look dark purple, blue, or the same colour as the skin.

Sometimes varicose veins present with painful symptoms, which might include:

Heavy or aching feeling in the legs after sitting or standing for a long time
Changes in skin colour around the affected veins
Muscle cramping, throbbing, burning, and swelling in the legs

Home treatment
Compression stockings: Wearing compression stockings daily applies pressure to the legs. This squeezes the legs and the affected veins. This allows blood to return to the heart. Also, they may reduce the pain and aching associated with this problem. Choose knee-high compression stockings that put pressure of 18 to 21 mmHg. You should wear them for at least one week to see a noticeable change.

• Elevate your legs: Lie down on a flat surface and elevate your legs at or above your heart level. This will put less pressure on the legs and allow gravity to do its job, i.e., letting blood flow back to the heart. Aim to practise this activity frequently throughout the day.
• Avoid sedentary behaviours: Long-term sitting in the same position, standing, and sitting cross-legged are the primary causes of varicose veins. Avoiding these behaviours will gradually reduce the varicose veins' appearance and prevent reoccurrence. If your job involves long periods of standing and sitting, take frequent breaks throughout the day and move around.
• Exercise: A daily dose of exercise is beneficial for your overall health. Doctors say exercising regularly encourages blood circulation in the legs. Thus allowing the collected blood in the affected veins to return to the heart.

Exercise also aids in reducing blood pressure, which is another risk factor for varicose veins. Try exercises like swimming, cycling, yoga, and walking.

• Wear loose-fitting clothes: Wearing tight-fitting clothes may restrict your blood flow. Therefore, wearing loose-fitting clothing may help improve blood circulation in certain cases. People with varicose veins should also avoid high heels and wear flat shoes.
• Massage: A gentle massage in the affected area may also benefit you. Use a moisturiser or massage oil for optimal effect. Keep in mind not to put much pressure on the veins while massaging.
• Shed extra pounds: Overweight and obesity are associated with a higher risk of varicose veins. Shedding extra weight may help you reduce pressure on the veins, swelling, and discomfort. Additionally, limiting your salt intake and eating more flavonoids may also benefit you.
• Medical treatment
  Medical treatment is usually recommended when home treatments don’t benefit you:
• Sclerotherapy: You will be administered a solution that scars and closes varicose veins. In a couple of weeks, the treated varicose veins will fade off. Depending on the condition, some need more than one dose of this solution.
• Laser treatment: A strong burst of light is used to heat the varicose veins. This makes the affected veins slowly fade off.
• Catheter-based procedure: This is one of the most used procedures for the treatment of larger varicose veins. Your doctor will put a catheter into an enlarged vein. Then your doctor will use a radiofrequency or laser to heat the tip of the catheter. This heat helps in the treatment of affected veins.
• High ligation and vein stripping: When several valves in the vein are heavily damaged, this procedure is used, wherein the doctor removes the damaged vein to provide you relief from the symptoms.
• Ambulatory phlebectomy: In this procedure, the doctor removes small varicose veins through tiny pricks in the skin. Usually, there is not much scarring after the procedure.
  Consult a varicose veins expert to know what treatment option will be the best option for you.