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Varicose Veins And Treatment Options

11 August 2015 by Julia Gregory

If you are a woman, chances are you have either heard about or have first-hand experience with varicose veins. According to experts, 70 to 80% of the patients treated for these bothersome and bulging types of veins are women. What exactly are they and what are some of the treatment options available?

What are Varicose Veins?

These enlarged veins are usually either red or bluish-looking and are raised above the skin, making them extremely noticeable. They are normally found on the thighs, on the backs of the calves, and on the inside of the leg. Some might think spider veins are the same as varicose veins, but this is not necessarily the case. Spider veins are typically smaller and are found closer to the surface of the skin.

Spider veins are caused by the backup of blood but can also be caused by injury, hormone changes, and sun exposure. Varicose veins on the other hand are caused by the failure of the valves in the vein to keep blood flowing adequately. Instead of the blood flowing the the heart, it collects inside the vein. There are certain risk factors for getting varicose veins. These include:

• Increasing Age
• Medical history and genetics
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Lack of movement

Besides being seen on the skin, other symptoms of varicose veins include throbbing pain, restless legs, and swelling. While they don't pose a serious health risk, they can be a sign of other dangerous health issues including blood clots and deep vein thrombosis. For the most women though, they are simply painful and not very pleasant to look at. For these reasons, many women choose to get rid of them.

Treatment Options for Varicose Veins

One of the most common ways women choose to deal with varicose veins is laser vein treatment. Smaller varicose veins are treated with simple laser treatment that works well for veins just under the surface of the skin. This type of treatment usually involves more than one visit scheduled 6 to 12 weeks apart.

To treat larger varicose veins, endovenous laser treatment is normally used. This type of treatment closes the vein and may require a second procedure using simple laser treatment. Following endovenous laser treatment, the patient has to wear compression stockings for at least one week. 

In order to prevent future varicose veins, it is often recommended to exercise, control your weight, protect your skin from the sun, avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time, and eat less salt.

For more information, contact Elite Vein Centers or a similar organization.

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