How to Fix Varicose Veins

Varicose veins often reveal themselves as bulging, bluish “cords” that meander and are surrounded by spider veins. They are often easily visible behind the legs. There is a complicated network of veins that reach from the legs to the feet where varicose veins are most common. Usually they occur closer to the surface (superficial vein network), but on rare occasion they can be deep within the “interior” network of veins. These affected veins won't likely be visible to the naked eye. If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to dangerous blood clots, but for the most part, varicose veins are harmless and affect a whopping 23% of Americans.

What are Symptoms of Varicose Veins?

Symptoms may include: 

• swelling and aching of the legs and feet 
• painful swelling of the ankles
• itchy skin
• veins or limbs tender to the touch

This is caused by lack of circulation of important blood, oxygen and nutrients. Women are twice as likely than men to have veins “go varicose” and it's often a family trait passed from generation to generation.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

The biological, scientific cause of varicose veins is not a pretty one. Oxygen-infused blood from the lungs are carried through your body by veins to sites they are needed and then back to the heart. Veins mainly rely on surrounding tissues, including muscles, to push the blood through the one-way veins and have cup-like valves that open and close to prevent the blood from getting backed up or going backward. Varicose veins are not working properly. They instead allow blood to pool in one or more sites and the congestion builds until the vein twists and bulges which can be seen from the outside. The reason this happens most often in superficial veins (those near the surface) is because of the lack of muscle supporting them.

Any condition where muscles lack strength and are sedentary too long can contribute to varicose veins, including but not limited to:

• pregnancy 
• obesity 
• and standing for long periods of time. 

Lack of exercise and also pressure associated with these conditions combine and create the ugly outcome that is varicose veins. Two less common pressure inducing conditions include chronic constipation and tumors.

How are Varicose Veins Treated?

Luckily, treatment options are abundant, from non-invasive to surgical. The best non-invasive self care includes the use of compression stockings or wrapping the effected areas. This assists in numerous ways. First and foremost, wrapping the effected area firmly will decrease any swelling that's accumulated and result in less painful movement for you. These two options are also known as support products because they offer support to your muscles and joints during movement, preventing further injury. The warmth induced by the product also increases ease of movement. 

You should experience immediate relief with the use of these products and your condition should not worsen during use. Whether or not your condition will reverse itself is another story. Give non-invasive treatments, with the recommendation of your doctor, a minimum of 6 weeks to test its results before considering surgery.

Medical Stockings

Get Those Summer Legs

Medical stockings come in a variety of colors, sizes, and measurements of “pressure”. To purchase the right one for you you might consider getting the recommendation of a specialist. It's also wise to get their recommendation for when you should use them and for how long. During movement is a common recommendation and like many conditions, prescribing times of rest and elevation without a support product on is common. Wrapping might be more for you if you want something easier and more personalized to your leg, no matter how swollen it may be, but both products would serve well for you to own. Another deciding factor may be whether or not you will have assistance putting the product on. With a wrap, caregivers may wrap differently every time. With a support stocking you know what kind of pressure you can expect every time.

Compression Stockings from Freeman Manufacturing

Additional Treatments

In the event you want to explore further treatment options, your doctor can recommend exercises to strengthen muscles to address the cause of your varicose veins or refer you to a good rehabilitation specialist or physical therapist. In serious cases, surgery may be discussed. Surgeries for varicose veins include removing or closing the responsible vein.