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Category: Varicose Vein Treatment

The severity of the varicose veins ranges from the tiny capillaries, pain in the legs, swollen feet and legs, and the crooked aneurysm resembles a worm.

Seasonal changes can have a big impact on varicose veins. Those swollen, twisted veins that often appear blue or dark purple will occur when the valves in the veins become weak or damaged. This causes blood to pool instead of flowing smoothly back to the heart. You can spot the varicose veins making appearances in different parts of your body, especially in the legs.

Staying mindful of how the seasons change and adopting lifestyle changes can help you manage the symptoms of varicose veins.

Are you someone dealing with varicose veins and are dwelling in Beverly Hills? The summers are warm, arid and clear, while the winters are long, cool, wet and partially cloudy in this region. To help you out, our experts from the varicose vein treatment center are here with essential seasonal tips for managing varicose veins.

How can seasonal shifts affect the varicose veins in individuals?

If you are coping with varicose veins, it’s necessary to be cautious about how you take care during the seasonal changes. Because when the weather gets colder, your veins can constrict more, meaning the blood flow isn’t smooth and causes discomfort. Also, pay attention to how you dress up for this season. 

If you aren’t layering up enough, your body has to put in that extra effort to stay warm. This can add more pressure to those already stressed veins.

On the other hand, the summertime can be a tough time for people with varicose veins. When it gets hot outside, the circulatory system responds by enlarging the veins, a process called vasodilation. This improves blood flow and cools us down. However, with all that extra blood flowing, varicose veins can expand even more, adding to the discomfort.

So, keeping an eye on your self-care routine during these seasonal shifts can really help manage those varicose veins and keep you feeling more comfortable.

Not sure if it’s varicose veins? Get varicose vein testing in Oxnard to find out.

 

10 seasonal tips for managing varicose veins better:

  • When seated, don’t forget to raise your legs

If your job requires a lot of sitting or simply you sit for the maximum amount of time, then practice elevating your legs. Lifting your legs doesn’t mean that you must simply place a chair and stretch your legs.

What you should do is raise them above the level of your heart. By doing so, you reduce pressure in the veins and facilitate proper blood flow. So, next time when you sit down to relax, ensure your legs are up on pillows or cushions.

As a seasonal tip, let’s say you visit the beach during the summer; try to find an incline there. You get ample comfort for your varicose veins.

  • Choose loose-fitting clothes, especially during summer

Didn’t you just compare wearing tight clothes with the compression stockings? Well, then first let’s clear the air that wearing tight clothes, especially in your lower parts of your body where varicose veins are highly visible, has very different effects on your body.

Compression stockings are medically designed to provide controlled pressure to your legs. Whereas the tight clothes might feel snug, especially during winters, regular tight clothes don’t provide the same graduated compression.

They tend to restrict circulation and put pressure on veins and can worsen the symptoms of varicose veins over time.

Now understood the difference?

This is why you should go for loose-fitting clothes during summer or spring, merely when you go out most. Prefer looser styles of jeans and trousers than a skinny fit or leggings. Your socks should fit comfortably rather than restricting circulation.

  • Wear comfortable footwear

Did you even know that footwear can affect varicose veins? Tight or high-heeled shoes can easily mess with your blood circulation and tend to put extra pressure on your veins. When varicose veins are also making your legs suffer with limited circulation, you worsen it with the shoes.

In addition, varicose veins can make your legs feel heavy or tired, and the wrong shoes can aggravate the problem.

So, oft in comfy shoes over fashionista ones, especially those with good support and a lower heel. This keeps the blood moving more naturally and can help prevent swelling.

  • Be careful with the fabric during the fall

Wearing breathable, non-restrictive clothing and shoes if you have varicose veins is vital. Because the ultimate goal is to aid blood circulation in your legs with varicose veins by tweaking some lifestyle changes.

So, wearing anything that restricts circulation can make things difficult. Even during fall or cooler weather conditions, avoid materials that trap heat and sweat. Because they can lead to overheating. When your body can’t cool off naturally, more blood gets pushed into the veins. 

This can intensify the varicose veins problem and make you uncomfortable. So, the key takeaway is to prioritize airflow and comfort to help keep your circulation flowing smoothly.

Are you doubtful about having varicose veins? Get a quick varicose vein testing in Thousand Oaks.

  • Compression stockings are the need of the hour

You are aware that varicose veins occur when vein valves weaken and make blood pool instead of flowing back to the heart. Here, compression stockings are medically designed socks or tights that apply gentle pressure to your legs and feet. They are made from stretchy, elastic materials and come in various styles and lengths, like knee-high, thigh-high, or full pantyhose. They apply gentle pressure to your legs, which helps the veins and muscles move blood more efficiently. 

This can reduce blood pooling and minimize the appearance of varicose veins. The interesting benefit is that wearing compression stockings regularly can really help slow down varicose veins from getting worse. 

They boost blood circulation, which means you are less likely to deal with more serious issues like skin changes, ulcers, or even blood clots. If you are on your feet a lot or tend to feel fatigued, compression stockings can provide support. So, if you want to keep your legs feeling good and avoiding complications, slipping on those stockings can make a big difference.

  • Wear compression stockings + other dresses to keep you warm during winter

When the weather cools down, you tend to rejoice. But for those people tackling varicose veins, it’s not sunshine and roses. Because cold can affect the blood circulation and can compound the varicose veins issue as your body’s circulatory system slows down during winter. To tackle the cold winter, add different layers to keep your entire legs warm, especially when you go out.

For example, tights under skirts,  jeans and winter pants, tights/thermal leggings under trousers, jeans and winter pants can be good layering choices. You could also wear thermal leggings with tunic tops or dresses and pair them with cozy layers like cardigans or oversized sweaters.

Just make sure whatever you’re wearing isn’t too tight—it’s all about staying warm without cutting off circulation.

  • Stay away from direct sun exposure

Because the skin over varicose veins can be more sensitive and prone to irritation. We understand how tempting it is to get yourself tanned in the summer. But too much sun exposure can easily make this sensitivity worse and lead to discomfort and potential skin damage. 

Plus, chances are there for discoloration or thinning due to excessive sun exposure. This is why protecting your skin from UV rays can help maintain its health and appearance.

And did you know that UV rays can trigger inflammatory responses in the skin? This may worsen the symptoms of varicose veins. High temperatures can increase the discomfort associated with varicose veins.

Learn everything about varicose veins in Beverly Hills by visiting the best varicose vein treatment center.

  • Stay hydrated

Hydration is so important. When we talk about water consumption, we remember summer. But in reality, think about this. You naturally tend to drink more water during the summer, as sweating increases thirst and water needs. But the problem we want to highlight is during the winter. 

People tend to drink fewer liquids during the winter. We get that a glass of cold water doesn’t seem appealing during a snowy feeling. But still, dehydration is a bad thing because it can lead to poor circulation that directly or indirectly affects the vein health.

Choose your way of staying hydrated. If you dislike cold beverages, go for warm herbal teas, clear broth and room-temperature water to stay hydrated.

  • Exercise, exercise, exercise

While staying active and moving around helps improve blood flow, it also greatly helps ease the varicose vein symptoms. When you exercise, your leg muscles contract and work as a pump, pushing blood back up to your heart. This cuts off the pressure on your veins.

So, regular exercise keeps you in good shape, takes some strain off your veins and may even prevent varicose veins from getting worse. Even if you don’t get to exercise, you can perform some low-impact activities such as walking, swimming or cycling as they make you move.

So, staying active can really help you manage varicose veins and keep your legs feeling better. But here’s a catch. Seasonal changes affect how active you are. You may become lazy and less interested in exercising. For example, winter might be all about cozying up indoors. While summers can encourage outdoor activity, heat can again make the symptoms more severe.

  •  Moisturize your dry skin

It’s not uncommon for the chill, dry winter air to dry out your skin, which can also affect your veins. Keeping your skin well moisturized is important not just for its health but also for supporting vein function. 

So, it’s best you opt for rich, hydrating lotion or cream that keeps your skin from drying out. By nourishing your skin regularly, you are helping to prevent dryness-related discomfort and supporting the health of your veins.

Conclusion:

You call in for a big difference in terms of comfort and health when you manage varicose veins seasonally. Because adjusting your care with the changing seasons truly helps. So, make sure you keep moving your body when the weather is nice. Wear compression socks when it’s cooler and don’t forget to cool your legs down on hot days. These may seem like small actions. But trust us, it can make you feel better and keep your varicose veins under control. Despite the seasons, you can go on with your life with just these small tweaks.

If you are concerned about varicose veins or the symptoms are worsening during seasonal changes, get varicose vein treatment at the Center for Vein Wellness located in Thousand Oaks, Palmdale, Westlake Village and Oxnard.

Providing first aid in the park. Man bandaged injured arm. Guy helps a friend.

You came home after a long day at work and sat down to relax. Suddenly, you notice blood running down your leg from the varicose veins. This is varicose vein bleeding.

Though varicose veins appear just beneath the skin, causing some discomfort, they usually don’t pose serious risks.

But in some cases, shaving your legs, accidental injuries or simply taking a hot shower can cause varicose vein bleeding. This occurs when the vein becomes too damaged or the skin over it gets too thin, leading to a rupture and unexpected heavy bleeding.

We understand that this situation might cause panic, especially if it’s happening for the first time. This article will educate you about varicose vein bleeding, the causes, symptoms and treatment that can prevent further complications, as well as when to visit the vein treatment center.

What are bleeding varicose veins?

Bleeding varicose veins are varicose veins that appear swollen and twisted but they have become damaged to the point where they start to bleed.

Under normal conditions for the most part, these varicose veins remain under the skin. While they seem uncomfortable, they are usually harmless unless they burst or get damaged due to piercing.

So, when the skin over these veins becomes too thin or gets injured, it can cause the vein to burst and bleed. 

This is why it is recommended that you be extra careful when shaving your legs to prevent them from getting hurt. Even a small cut can lead to excessive bleeding because larger varicose veins with thin overlying skin or surface skin are fragile and weak.

What are the signs and symptoms of bleeding varicose veins?

Your varicose veins bleed, especially in the lower parts of your legs, such as the ankles and feet, as these areas undergo excess pressure.

Bleeding varicose veins are not always evident. For instance, if it bleeds externally, you can notice it. But internal bleeding isn’t very obvious. 

However, some symptoms indicate bleeding varicose veins. They are:

  • If your varicose veins start to bleed internally, the affected area starts with discoloration under the skin. This makes it look like the bruise is getting larger.
  • Blood-soaked clothing or bedding, either during sleep or slowly, soaks into your clothes without you realizing it.
  • Swelling in the concerned area due to the accumulation of blood.
  • The affected area might be painful, tender to the touch, or feel achy, especially when you stand or walk.
  • Heaviness or fatigue in the legs might worsen after bleeding occurs and make the legs feel more heavy.

If you are in need of varicose vein testing in Thousand Oaks, visit the Center for Vein Wellness. We can assess your condition and advise on the best course of treatment.

What are the factors that increase the risk of bleeding veins in the legs?

There are multiple factors that can cause or increase the risk of varicose vein bleeding. Some of the main ones are listed below:

Aging: With age, your varicose veins lose their elasticity and strength. So they become more vulnerable to damage and bleeding.

Obesity: If you are obese, your body weight can add extra pressure to your leg veins and increase the risk of vein damage.

Prolonged standing or sitting: If you stand or sit in one position for long periods, it can increase pressure in the leg veins and cause vein weakness and bursting.

Genetics: A family history of varicose veins or vein-related issues increases the likelihood of developing similar problems.

Pregnancy and other hormonal changes: The increased blood volume and pressure during pregnancy can weaken veins and make them bleed.

How can hot showers cause varicose vein bleeding?

People who take hot showers are at risk of spontaneous bleeding. Because when you stand for a long time while bathing at a high temperature, these things combined make the leg veins dilate. This increases the risk of vein bleeding.

What happens if burst varicose veins aren’t addressed well?

A burst varicose vein can cause many complications, such as:

The legs might suffer from infection, causing open wounds or ulcers that might get infected and lead to more serious health issues.

The burst varicose veins mainly cause excessive bleeding that could stop only with medical intervention.

There’s a chance that blood clots could form, which could cause more trouble if they move to other parts of your body.

Ulceration near the bleeding site makes it easier for ulcers to form.

If you are looking for an effective varicose vein treatment, our specialized doctors from the Center for Vein Wellness provide the latest procedures to ensure optimal results.

How do I stop bleeding varicose veins immediately?

If you have external bleeding, take quick action to stop the bleeding because varicose veins can bleed a lot.

  1. Remove the clothing near the cut. If the clothing is hard to remove, consider cutting it to avoid making things worse. Because you would be bleeding profusely, take this action.
  2. Use a medical bandage or gauze. In emergency situations, if you don’t have any, grab some thick, clean cloth strips, wrap them around the bleeding varicose veins and apply pressure.
  3. Avoid using any ointment on the affected cut and make sure the bandage isn’t too tight.
  4. Try elevating the leg above heart level, as this posture helps reduce blood flow to the bleeding area.
  5. You can press a clean cloth directly on the bleeding spot. Be firm but gentle; doing so will help stop or slow down the vein bleeding.

Whether you have controlled the bleeding or not, it’s always a good idea to call an ambulance or 911 right away and get medical attention soon.

How do you handle varicose vein internal bleeding?

Handling internal bleeding can be tricky. Because, for the most part, you can’t diagnose the source of the bleeding like you can with external cuts or injuries.

You might also experience intradermal bleeding. This is a type of internal vein bleeding that mostly affects spider veins. Here, when the spider vein ruptures within the skin surface, it turns into a blue-purple bruise that’s clearly visible to the naked eye.

Though bleeding at this stage is mild and limited, it’s best to seek medical attention to get the veins checked.

So, if you feel you are suffering from any internal varicose vein bleeding, try to stay as calm and still as possible and get medical attention right away.

Treatment for bleeding varicose veins

A varicose vein treatment doctor can assess your bleeding condition and recommend the most suitable treatment plan to improve your vascular health. We have listed the most common varicose vein treatment options. Each of these treatments targets the problematic vein; remove it to cut the chances of bleeding varicose veins.

Endovenous thermal ablation

This is a minimally invasive treatment that helps treat varicose veins and close them permanently.

Here, a small catheter is inserted into the vein and either laser or radiofrequency energy is applied. This forces the vein to collapse and seal shut. Blood flow is then diverted to healthier veins.

This treatment is effective and involves minimal downtime.

Ambulatory phlebectomy

This is a surgical procedure where the varicose vein is removed via small incisions in the skin. It’s usually performed under local anesthesia. Since the incisions are tiny, scarring is minimal.

This method is recommended for the varicose veins that appear close to the surface, as they are prone to bleeding.

Sclerotherapy

A special solution is injected directly into the varicose vein, where the solution irritates the vein lining and collapses it. This procedure is suggested to treat smaller varicose veins and has little to no downtime.

Non-thermal vein ablation

This includes varicose vein treatments such as VenaSeal (a medical adhesive) or Clarivein, which is a combination of a rotating catheter and a sclerosing agent.

These methods don’t use heat but instead rely on other mechanisms to close off the vein. 

How to prevent bleeding varicose veins?

While you can’t prevent developing or bleeding varicose veins, at least you can control them to some extent.

Some bleeding varicose vein prevention tips are:

  • Maintain a healthy weight, as obesity can put extra pressure on your veins.
  • Regularly exercise. This helps improve blood circulation and reduces the risk of varicose veins becoming worse.
  • Consider wearing compression stockings, which are specially designed socks or stockings that apply pressure to your legs. Thus, this helps improve blood flow and reduce swelling.
  • Whenever you can, elevate your legs to help blood flow. This helps if you stand or sit for long periods of time.
  • Keep your skin moisturized and treat any cuts or injuries to your legs promptly. Because naturally, the varicose vein skin is thin and prone to tearing and opening up.

Conclusion

We hope that you are aware of the causes and symptoms of varicose vein bleeding.
Varicose veins, though often harmless and seen as a cosmetic problem, can become a more serious issue when they start to bleed.

So, when you experience bleeding from varicose veins, you can stay a bit calm, try to stop or reduce the bleeding and seek medical attention immediately.

Whether you are dealing with varicose veins or supporting someone who is, understanding this can be of great use. If you are looking for a vein treatment center that offers advanced solutions for individuals seeking relief from bleeding varicose veins, visit the center for vein wellness located in Los Angeles, Oxnard, Palmdale, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Beverly Hills.

Varicose Veins, also called varicose or varicosities, are veins get swollen and enlarges, dialets and are overfilled with blood. They can be seen as they become purplish or red in color. They are generally under the skin in the legs. They can give a hint like pain in the legs or bleeding or in certain cases superficial thrombophlebitis.

This is commonly seen in women and as per statistics, 25% of the adults suffer from varicose a vein that means 1 out of 4 people are suffering. The varicose vein treatment clinic Los Angeles is one of the highly suggested clinics for such treatment.

Causes of varicose veins

This is caused due to dysfunction of the vein where the valve present in the vein prevents blood from flowing backward. Due to such a situation, the blood gets clotted rather than flowing towards the heart and this enlarges the vein. The veins are far from the heart due to which the gravity makes it difficult for blood to flow upward.

Certain causes include:
• Pregnancy
• Age over 5
• Menopause
• Obesity
• Standing for long timings
• Genetic history

Diagnosis of varicose veins

The following steps are taken to analyze varicose vein treatment:-
• The doctor will examine your legs by asking you to sit and stand
• The doctor will ask you about the extent of the pain that you are suffering from
• He might prescribe you to get an ultrasound done to check the flow of blood (high-frequency sound waves are applied to check how the blood is flowing in your veins)
• Depending upon the location where the blood clotting has taken place a venogram is done to understand the working of the vein
• During the test, a special dye is injected into the legs and x-ray is being done, the x-ray clearly shows the veins blood flow activity

Treatment and prevention measures for varicose veins

Generally, the doctor suggests to bring about a change in the lifestyle rather than trying any other treatment.
Lifestyle changes would include:
 Avoiding long hours of standing
 Losing weight
 Regular exercise to improve the circulation of blood
 Usage of compression socks or stockings
If one is already suffering from varicose veins then s/he needs to be more cautious to prevent having further disruptive veins. Legs should also be elevated or moved while resting or sleeping hours.

Compression

Due to compression by socks or stockings, a natural pressure is created on the legs which easily enhances the blood flow to the heart. They also help reduce swelling.

The compression stocking can easily be available in drugstores.

Surgery

If there is extreme pain due to varicose veins and the lifestyle changes are not much effective then the doctor may suggest surgery.

The doctor then suggests varicose vein removal. He first applies anesthesia to the affected area. The surgeon makes cuts in the skin then cuts the varicose vein and removes it through the incision. This is also called stripping or vein ligation.

Other options for the treatment of varicose veins are:

• Sclerotherapy, here a liquid or foam is injected to block off the smaller varicose vein
• Microsclerotheraphy, here a liquid chemical injection is used to block off the smaller veins
• Light energy called Laser varicose vein removal surgery is done to block off a vein
• Heat and radiofrequency waves are also applied to block off the veins, this procedure is called endovenous ablation therapy
• A small lighted scope is inserted through a small incision to block off the vein, this procedure is called endoscopic vein surgery

Before getting through any of the surgery methods its very important to know about its pros and cons as this is a concern for health. The kind of surgery would depend on the frequency of the symptoms, the size of enlargement and the affected location of the same.

People suffering from varicose veins

Generally, a lot of it is handled by the change in lifestyle and due to exercise and medication, the pain is under control. They are not long term medical issue but yes temporarily they cause a lot of disturbance in the normal lifestyle.

In certain cases, it is spotted to have lead to chronic inflammation, blood clots, sores on the legs or even ulcers.

In case any of the above symptoms are spotted, it is advisable to visit a doctor at an urgent call before the situation gets worse.

Side effects of surgery

• Skin burns
• Bruising
• Dyspigmentation
• Scarring
• Blood clotting in tiny amounts can be seen in the deep vein region

Recovery

The recovery is faster and a normal lifestyle can be lead and one can join back work within a couple of days.

Cost

The package varies from high to low depending on the therapy, the location, the clinic and the efficiency of the doctor.

The varicose vein treatment Los Angeles is considered to be the best treatment clinic. Patients have experienced the effectiveness of the surgery in vein treatment before and after Los Angeles.

Dr. Haimesh Shah in the la vein center is considered to be an efficient specialist in this field. As per the patients he treated they are satisfied with his technique of operating them. The Center for Vein Wellness is well equipped with the latest technological equipment and the infrastructure is also well supporting making the clinic a top ranked one.

Varicose veins are a genetic condition that is usually associated with inactive and overweight people, as well as pregnant women due to weak calf muscles and/or impeded blood flow in the veins in the legs and pelvic area. However, it is also known to affect perfectly healthy and physically active individuals.

Athletes and Varicose Veins | Vein Specialist Ventura & Los Angeles

Athletes are constantly running on hard surfaces or engaging in heavy resistance training and other strenuous activities. This puts their veins under a lot of strain, causing them to bulge and appear on the surface of the skin as ropy blood vessels on the lower thighs and calves. Varicose veins can also form on the arms, chest, and other parts of the body where blood flow is restricted.

Varicose veins usually don’t cause any pain or unfavorable symptoms, except for aesthetic concerns. But in some cases, they can cause uncomfortable symptoms that hinder the performance of an athlete.

Varicose Veins Prevention

For most people, light leg exercises like walking and jogging are enough to strengthen the calf muscles and reduce the risk of vein problems. But considering that this may not be an option for athletes, your vein specialist may recommend a personalized plan that includes:

  • Keeping your legs elevated when resting to make it easier for blood in the lower extremities to flow back to the heart
  • Avoid exposing your veins to extremely high temperatures in hot baths, hot tubs, and saunas
  • Increase your dietary intake of fiber and reduce sodium consumptions to reduce the risk for constipation, water retention, and other problems that may contribute to varicose veins

Varicose Veins Treatment

If your varicose veins are causing symptoms such as localized pain, itchy, swollen legs, or tired, heavy legs, your Ventura or Los Angeles-based vein specialist may recommend various minimally invasive treatments that involve little or no downtime and won’t cause major interruption to your training schedule. The sooner you get problematic veins treated, the faster you can achieve optimal training and performance.

If you’re looking to get rid of large, problematic varicose veins that cause pain, swelling, and heaviness in your legs, your vein specialist may recommend the removal of the damaged veins through two minor surgical procedures known as vein ligation and stripping.

Vein Ligation and Stripping | Varicose Vein Specialist Los Angeles & Ventura

These procedures are mostly used to treat severe cases of varicose veins, usually after addressing smaller vein problems with a minimally invasive procedure such as sclerotherapy. During vein ligation, your surgeon will make a small incision through your skin and surgically tie the affected vein. With vein stripping, a similar incision is made but with the view to removing the problematic vein.

What to Expect

If your vein specialist recommends vein ligation and stripping, it is best that you take the rest of the day off and ask someone to drop you off at the center and pick you up later because you’ll be sedated. Some tests will need to be done prior to the procedure to ensure the presence and location of varicose veins and to avoid any complications.

The doctor will numb the area before making a small cut over the damaged veins. During litigation, the problematic veins are tied off to force the blood to redirect and flow through other healthy veins. The vein is not removed, which allows other blood vessels to reconnect to healthier parts of the vein to continue circulating blood.

But if the vein and valves are severely damaged, the entire portion of the valve may be surgically removed or stripped. This requires the surgeon to insert a flexible instrument up the damaged vein, grasp it, and then remove it. Blood is automatically redirected to other healthy veins.

The procedure itself takes between 2 and 3 hours. You should be able to go home the same day, but it’s recommended that you wait a few hours to recover from the regional or general anesthesia used during the surgery.

Post Surgery Care

Vein ligation and stripping is a safe, minor surgical procedure that helps to treat the symptoms of venous incompetence, including swelling and ulceration, and prevent varicose veins recurrence. Your vein specialist in Ventura & Los Angeles will discuss any side effects that may result from the procedure, such as as scarring, and provide directions for care and preventing other varicose veins from emerging. You should be able to return to your normal activities after a few days of rest.

With the holiday season fast approaching, many people will be planning trips to the mountains or the beach; or taking long flights to international destinations. Considering that travel usually involves extended periods of queuing and/or sitting, it is important that you ensure the optimal health of your veins, especially if you’re at risk of getting varicose veins.

Tips for Relief from Varicose Veins While Traveling | Vein Specialist

Here are a few tips to maintain vein health while traveling:

Stretch your legs every few hours

If traveling long distances by road, whether driving or by bus, it is recommended that you stop every few hours to stretch your legs.

Pump your legs/ankles on the plane

Air travel poses a major risk for venous problems, from the confined space in a narrow seat to the restricted mobility to the slow blood circulation when flying at high altitudes. These situations cause pressure to build up in your veins, resulting in restlessness, heaviness and an achy feeling in the legs, and other symptoms associated with varicose veins.

For people with vein disease, air travel may increase the risk of venous thrombosis, where blood clots in your deep veins break off, travel to your lungs, and cause difficulty in breathing.

If possible, it is recommended that you stand up and walk on the cabin aisle regularly. If getting up is not an option, consider pumping the calf muscle while sitting. With your foot on the ground, raise the heel so your tippy toes support your leg on the ground, and then return to the original position. Do this multiple times to engage the calf muscle, which will in turn help to pump blood from the leg veins to the heart.

Keep well hydrated

Avoid the temptation of consuming snacks, sweets, alcohol, and other items that dehydrate your body. Instead, drink water or another nonalcoholic and decaffeinated beverage to stay hydrated and keep your lips moist, improve your mood, and avoid bad breath. Staying hydrated helps to prevent the veins from narrowing. It also reduces the risk of constipation, which is known to stress the venous system.

Get a support hose

Compression stockings are designed to physically squeeze your foot and calf muscles to facilitate steady blood flow in the venous system. Visit a vein specialist to get custom stockings that provide just the right amount of compression, and put them on before setting off.

Final tip

If you notice swelling of the legs or chest pain or shortness of breath soon after traveling, you should visit the nearest hospital for evaluation.

For most people, varicose veins are a cosmetic concern that causes embarrassment and prevents you from wearing the attire and footwear that you want. In some cases, people with untreated varicose veins may also experience some discomfort and other symptoms such as pain, restless legs, swelling, and heaviness in the legs.

What Happens If You Leave Varicose Veins Untreated | Vein Specialist

It is recommended that you visit a vein specialist as early as possible before the symptoms of varicose veins get worse. If left untreated, patients often report more severe symptoms that may require emergency treatment, such as:

  • Bleeding – When the skin around the affected veins becomes damaged to the extent of exposing the varicose vein, a small puncture could result in spontaneous bleeding. This blood loss is usually painless.
  • Hyperpigmentation – Refers to darkening of the skin around the area with varicose veins. As pressure increases in the bulging veins, some of the oxygen-depleted blood may begin to leak from affected veins and flow into the surrounding tissues, resulting in inflammation, swelling, and discolored skin pigmentation. Commonly occurs in the lower leg area.
  • Venous leg ulcers – These also occur when the affected veins burst due to increased pressure, allowing blood to flow into the surrounding tissues. When the red blood cells interact directly with the tissues, they may cause the skin to break down and form painful ulcers. These ulcers typically won’t heal until you treat the varicose veins.
  • Lipodermatosclerosis – This is a result of venous insufficiency where the skin around the problematic veins hardens and becomes discolored. Some pain and swelling is also very common. This usually occurs around the ankles.
  • Superficial thrombophlebitis – clotting or damage of the veins located just below the surface of the skin can cause decreased blood flow, resulting in swelling, redness, and pain around that area.
  • Deep vein thrombosis – This occurs when blood clots in the deep veins of the leg. It increases the risk of pulmonary embolism, where the blood clots break off and get carried to the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath and even death

Untreated varicose veins can cause serious medical complications that include ulcerations (large sores), bleeding, and thrombophlebitis (blood clots), due to the increased pressure and blood pooling in the veins.

Please visit a vein specialist as early as possible for diagnosis and treatment.

Although varicose veins are mostly reported by middle-aged women, studies show that they also affect between 17 and 45 percent of men. These veins are cosmetically unattractive, and appear as ropy, blue or purple blood vessels bulging out of the skin. Perhaps because women are more concerned about their appearance than men, and the fact that their clothes are more revealing, they are more likely to seek treatment for varicose veins from a vein specialist.

How Do Varicose Veins Affect Men? | Vein Specialist in Ventura & LA

Men, on the other hand, are less aware of the appearance of varicose veins. This is especially true for men who workout a lot, as bulging veins are a sign of masculinity and a good fitness session. Even when the veins cause pain and discomfort, one can easily dismiss the symptoms as muscle fatigue after exercises.

However, the bulging, ropy veins may be varicose veins that can develop into serious vein complications if left untreated.

Reasons to treat varicose veins

Failure to treat varicose veins can lead to a number of problems, including:

  • Ulcers – Ulcers can form from scrapes or cuts that don’t heal properly. They are very painful, and often form around the varicose veins on your ankles. One of the early signs of ulcers is skin discoloration around the varicose veins.
  • Blood clots – These often lead to swelling in the legs, which in turn results in leg heaviness, fatigue, and restlessness.
  • Bleeding – The bulging veins are more vulnerable to breakage as they’re very close to the surface of the skin.
  • Infections – The bleeding opens up your skin to infections

Get your varicose veins treated today

It is important that you get your varicose veins assessed and treated as soon as you notice them. If you’re not ready for treatment, Dr. Shah of the Center for Vein Wellness may recommend a few lifestyle changes and activities to improve blood flow and thereby reduce their visibility.

Some common treatments include changing your fitness routine, losing weight, stretching often if you sit or stand for extended periods, keeping the legs elevated when resting, and wearing compression sleeves. If the veins are causing complications, Dr. Shah may recommend a minimally invasive treatment like sclerotherapy or ablation.

Please visit the Center for Vein Wellness for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Although varicose veins are hereditary, they can also be caused by other factors that strain the veins in your legs, like pregnancy, surgery, trauma, obesity, and prolonged standing or sitting. These veins do not necessarily cause pain, which may prompt some people – especially men – to ignore them if they can conceal them with clothing.

Do You Need to Remove Varicose Veins? | Varicose Vein Treatment

If left untreated, varicose veins cause a myriad of symptoms like pain, leg heaviness, fatigue, and general discomfort. In severe cases, they can lead to more complicated conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), ulcers, and skin discoloration, among others. So how should you deal with varicose veins?

Removal is not the only treatment for varicose veins

As soon as you realize that you have varicose veins, it is important that you contact the Center for Vein Wellness to schedule a consultation with a vein specialist. Dr. Shah will assess your condition and identify the root cause of the varicose veins. If caused by lifestyle factors, the doctor may first recommend a few months of self care at home.

Self care involves:

  • Regular exercise
  • Taking regular breaks to stretch your legs if you stand or sit for long periods
  • Elevating the affected area whenever you’re resting
  • Using custom compression stockings

Further Treatment through vein removal

If your varicose veins are causing symptoms or complications, Dr. Shah may recommend a minimally invasive procedure to get rid of the troublesome blood vessels.

You will discuss the best treatment for your case depending on the size of the varicose veins, their position, severity of the complication, and your general health. The procedures include radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation, and sclerotherapy.

Varicose Veins Treatment for Pregnant Patients

Expectant mothers often get varicose veins due to the increased strain in the blood vessels around the pelvis and abdomen. If they were there before, they may become more noticeable during the pregnancy period because of the strain and increase in progesterone hormone production. If your varicose veins are causing problems, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Shah to discuss the best treatments that pose the lowest risk to your pregnancy.

No one should have to live with unsightly varicose veins or other venous problems until they cause painful symptoms and complications. The Center for Vein Wellness offers many options for their treatment. Please visit us to discuss your case.

Varicose veins affect more than one-quarter of the American population. So it’s likely that you have them, or you know a few people who have them. It is also likely that you or your friends have shared some information about varicose veins and other venous disorders, some of which may not be true. Let’s discuss some myths about varicose veins.

Myths About Varicose Veins | Vein Specialist Los Angeles & Ventura, CA

Common Myths About Varicose Veins

It is important that you have accurate information about varicose veins for a proper self-diagnosis, and to know when to seek professional help. Here are a few common misconceptions about varicose veins to enhance your understanding of the condition:

1. Varicose veins occur because of crossing your legs

Crossing your legs is not one of the risk factors of varicose veins. In itself, it cannot weaken or damage your valves, which is what causes blood to pool in certain veins and cause them to bulge. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise, on the other hand, are known risk factors.

2. Varicose veins are only a cosmetic concern

Bulging blue veins are undoubtedly unsightly, and likely to make you conscious about wearing attire that might reveal them. However, people with varicose veins eventually develop symptoms such as cramping, throbbing, dull achiness, and heaviness in the legs. Moreover, failure to treat varicose veins can lead to bigger problems including blood clots and leg ulcers. Early treatment helps to prevent any discomfort and higher treatment costs.

3. Varicose veins only occur in old age

Although aging is one of the risk factors of varicose veins, it can affect people of all ages depending on other factors such as genetics, obesity, or change in hormone levels due to pregnancy.

Treating Varicose Veins

There are also some misconceptions about the treatment of varicose veins. For instance, some people claim that the only way to treat them is through surgical stripping, some argue that the treatments are painful and expensive, and others say that there’s no point in treating them since they’ll return.

Fortunately for you, none of these claims are true. Today, there are many modern, non-invasive and painless treatments that help to detect all diseased veins – including those that are not visible on the surface of the skin – so the root of the problem is treated to prevent future recurrences. You only need to discuss with your vein specialist about the best treatment for your case.

Varicose Vein Consultation in Los Angeles & Ventura County

Please visit the Center for Vein Wellness or schedule a consultation with Dr. Shah to discuss your case and vein treatment options. We have multiple locations in Los Angeles and Ventura County.