Experiencing constant pain, discomfort, and difficulty in doing day-to-day work can often be traumatic for individuals. When such chronic pain is felt typically on the legs it needs your undivided attention. Varicose veins are twisted and swollen veins that develop on the legs. They cause extreme discomfort and also bring down one’s self-esteem and confidence.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
- Age – With increasing age your chances of having varicose veins rise. It may be the result of wear and tear on the veins’ valve and walls over the years
- Weak Valves – Veins that are one way allow blood to flow to the heart. If the valves break or fail, the blood flows backward and pools in the veins causing them to expand.
- Gender – Women are prone to getting affected by varicose veins more than men as they go through a lot of hormonal changes between pregnancy and menopause.
- Genes – If you have seen people in your family having a history of varicose veins you are more likely to develop it then.
- Prolonged Standing or Sitting – If you are in a job that involves long hours of sitting or standing it can increase the risk of varicose veins as it hinders blood circulation.
Symptoms Of Varicose Veins:
Varicose Veins are fairly noticeable because they are swollen, elevated, and often twisted.
- Pain and Discomfort: Varicose Veins can cause severe agony in the patient as it is painful and uncomfortable to have it. The pain ranges from throbbing feeling to extreme pain and discomfort.
- Aching and Heaviness: People suffering from varicose veins go through pain or heaviness in their legs because of long hours of sitting or standing.
- Itching and Skin Changes: Discolouration may develop on the skin near the affected veins. This can eventually cause the skin to itch and sores to occur at times
If varicose veins treatment is not done on time it may lead to severe pain and discomfort, but several lifestyle choices can help you control the recurring symptoms.
Exercising is also possible with varicose veins but it is necessary to consult a doctor to help you increase the blood flow.
But to reduce its effects for the time being and to alleviate varicose veins here are 8 practical ways to relieve the symptoms:
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Here are 8 Ways You Can Manage Varicose Veins:
- Avoid prolonged sitting or standing
- Proper shoes
- Elevate feet
- Compression stockings
- Quit smoking
- Losing weight and clean eating habits
- Varicose veins treatment
- Exercise
- Avoid Prolonged Sitting or Standing
It is important to move, rest, and work out if you have a lifestyle or job that demands long-standing or sitting hours. Salespeople, nurses, guards, or teachers often find extreme stress on their legs because of prolonged periods of standing. Office workers and drivers also find their legs stressed out due to the compromising blood flow due to long hours of sitting.
- Proper Shoes
Other than the workplace demands that make you susceptible to varicose veins, certain lifestyle choices often increase your chances of developing this painful vein complication. Studies have shown that wearing high-heels, or uncomfortable shoes increases your chances of developing varicose veins. High heels can damage the veins and worsen the pain. A shoe with good arc support or stylish footwear with no heels is a better option.
- Elevate Feet
It is advised to keep your feet elevated as a part of varicose vein management. Elevation helps the blood flow properly back and improves circulation. Elevating your feet relieves swelling and also helps avoid painful ulcers associated with varicose veins.
- Compression Stockings
The valves in your vein help your blood to keep flowing in one direction. It is when these valves are affected that blood starts to pool and causes swelling that leads to varicose veins. With the help of compression stockings the damaged valves get support as the compression stockings put mild pressure on your legs, This also prevents blood clots and extreme pain.
- Quit Smoking
The effects of smoking can be seen in almost all the organs of the body, not just feet. Here, the way it can affect varicose veins is that it will damage the blood vessels and restrict circulation.
- Losing Weight and Healthy Eating
Extra weight indeed puts intense pressure on the veins which are already functioning poorly.
Losing weight unburdens the pressure from the legs and can prevent any existing varicose veins from getting more damaged. Eating clean is yet another essential factor in maintaining a healthy weight. Make sure that you watch your salt intake as it can lead to water retention, heaviness, and pressure.
- Exercise
Exercising can be quite a challenge with varicose veins. but some exercises can improve blood circulation through your legs. Walking, biking, and swimming are a few of the physical activities that can be very helpful in getting the blood flowing properly
It’s essential to warm up before exercising with varicose veins. Always consult a doctor before indulging in any exercise routine because, after certain varicose vein treatments, it’s generally advised to avoid exercising for some time.
Varicose vein treatments are available for those who want to rid themselves of the painful vein issue. Such treatments are performed under the care of vascular specialists. Making healthy lifestyle changes is necessary post-treatment as varicose veins tend to relapse after the treatment as well. Healthy lifestyle choices as well as proper medical support and interventions can lead to recovery.
What are the signs of medical necessity for varicose veins?
Other than just the cosmetic issues and their appearance, varicose veins can go above and beyond that. Here are some key points that show that medical intervention might be necessary:
- Constant Pain and Discomfort – it is extremely difficult to live in constant pain and agony and this is a clear sign that the issue is no longer cosmetic and medical intervention is necessary. Pain will disturb daily activity and disrupt the sleep cycle, hence it should not be left unattended.
- Swelling and Redness – There might be underlying issues if you notice redness and swelling at the end of the day. You may also notice warmth around the affected veins which might affect your mobility and cause extreme discomfort.
- Change in Skin Texture and Color – Venous insufficiency is when you find a significant change in skin color, thickness, and swelling near the varicose veins. This may lead to the development of skin ulcers if left untreated.
- Skin Ulcers and Bleeding: Open sores can develop near varicose veins which can be a serious problem. It may also lead to spontaneous bleeding which may need immediate medical attention.
- Blood Clot: Varicose veins increase the risk of blood clots and form a condition called superficial thrombophlebitis. This causes localized pain and requires immediate medical help.
- Disturbs the Quality of Life: It is when your problem leads to physical limitation and causes emotional distress, you have to consult a medical professional immediately. Problems like mobility, loss of self-confidence, and difficulty in doing day-to-day work are valid reasons to see a doctor.
- Pre-existing Health Issues: (DVT) means Deep Vein Thrombosis may be at the highest risk of complication if left untreated with individuals who have pre-existing health conditions.
Surgeries and other options
Sclerotherapy is an option to get varicose veins treated. This is where the specialist
injects the veins to reroute blood flow and make it healthier.
There is another alternative method called endovenous thermal ablation that depends on high-frequency waves or laser heat intervention that reroutes blood to healthier veins and shuts down damaged veins.
Making healthy choices like clean eating, keeping weight in check, doing proper physical activities, avoiding smoking and drinking, and keeping your feet at an elevated level gives you a much higher chance of avoiding surgery. Risks such as venous ulcers and blood clots can also be avoided.
Even though these key strategies might help you with varicose veins it is crucial to see a doctor and do a thorough check up. Always remember that consistency in taking good care of yourself is the key to the long-term healing of varicose veins.
If you have questions about varicose vein management, or browse for experts and specialist
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