Varicose veins, which are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the surface of the skin, are a common condition, especially in the legs. Varicose veins occur when the valves in the veins don’t work properly, causing blood to pool in the veins. Although they may not cause any symptoms for some people, for others, varicose veins can cause discomfort, pain, or indicate a higher risk of other circulatory problems. Various treatment options exist for varicose veins, depending on their severity and the symptoms they cause.
1. Self-Care Methods:
These are changes you can make to your lifestyle that can help to reduce the symptoms of varicose veins, though they won’t remove them:
- Exercise: Regular physical activity encourages better blood circulation in the legs, which helps to push along the blood that’s accumulated in the veins. Low-impact exercises such as walking, cycling, or swimming are particularly beneficial.
- Dietary changes: A low-salt diet high in fiber can prevent water retention and constipation, both of which can contribute to varicose veins.
- Elevation: Elevating the legs can reduce swelling and relieve symptoms of varicose veins.
- Compression stockings: Wearing compression stockings all day is often the first approach to try before moving on to other treatments. They steadily squeeze your legs, helping veins and leg muscles move blood more efficiently.
2. Minimally Invasive Treatments:
For varicose veins that are larger or cause more significant symptoms, several outpatient procedures exist:
- Sclerotherapy: This common treatment for small to medium-sized varicose veins involves injecting a solution or foam into the vein that scars and closes those veins. In a few weeks, treated varicose veins should fade.
- Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Both these procedures involve the insertion of a thin tube, or catheter, into the vein. For EVLT, a laser is used to send strong bursts of light onto the vein, making it slowly fade and disappear. RFA uses radiofrequency energy to heat up and damage the wall of the vein, causing it to collapse and eventually disappear. These are typically performed under local anesthesia and are minimally invasive.
3. Surgical Procedures:
For the most severe cases of varicose veins, surgical procedures might be necessary:
- Vein stripping and ligation: This procedure, performed under general anesthesia, involves tying shut and removing the veins through small cuts in your skin. Vein stripping and ligation is used for severe cases and is performed less frequently due to the success of less invasive treatments.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy: The doctor removes smaller varicose veins through a series of tiny skin punctures. Only the parts of your leg where the veins are being removed are numbed in this outpatient procedure.
While these treatments can alleviate symptoms and improve the appearance of the veins, they won’t prevent new varicose veins from emerging in the future. Therefore, lifestyle changes are often recommended in conjunction with these treatments to improve overall vascular health and prevent the development of new varicose veins. As always, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to discuss the best treatment options based on individual health circumstances.