Painful Varicose Veins? Quick Breakdown of Your Options

According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, over 40 million people are afflicted with varicose veins. They affect mainly women and have a wide variety of causes and treatment options. If you have varicose veins and are ready to seek treatment, here are some of the options available to you.

Compression Stockings

For those experiencing minor discomfort and heaviness in their legs, changes to your routine and wearing compression stockings may be all you need to manage your varicose veins. They are non-invasive and can be quite comfortable. If your veins are not causing you severe pain and you don't feel ready for more invasive methods, trying out compression stockings may be all you need.

Sclerotherapy

This method uses injections to force your body to form new veins. Chemical injections inflame the varicose veins and cause them to scar shut. The blood flow will then be rerouted through healthy veins. The old ones will eventually be reabsorbed by your body. This method can be a bit uncomfortable, but the results are usually quite good.

Stripping the Veins

If your varicose veins are not responding to other treatments, they can be removed surgically. You can go to a vein treatment center, such as Ivein Vein Center, or you can go to a local hospital where your doctor has surgical privileges. Through small incisions, the offending veins are tied off and removed. Recovery is usually just a matter of weeks before you are back to all your old routines.

Ablation

This is another surgical option. During an ablation, a tiny catheter is inserted into the varicose vein, then the end of the catheter is heated. This scars the vein and, much like sclerotherapy, forces the blood to reroute and the varicose veins to be absorbed by the body. This can be a great option if other methods haven't worked out for you.

Avoiding Future Varicose Veins

While there is some evidence that varicose veins are inherited, there are steps you can take to avoid forming more of them. Standing for long hours without rest is a known factor, as is sitting for too long. To give your legs a break, rest with them elevated above your heart for 15 minutes several times a day. The treatments for varicose veins are numerous. Talk to your doctor about which method is right for you and your situation. You can get rid of unsightly and painful varicose veins by seeking treatment, so don't delay.