What causes varicose veins and how to treat them. Tips from a Newport Hospital expert.
Varicose veins certainly can be a cosmetic issue. But they can also cause significant discomfort and affect quality of life.
We’ve all heard of varicose veins but what causes them is not always well understood. Varicose veins are generally the result of abnormal blood flow caused by faulty valves. The veins in the body bring blood from the tissues back to the heart and lungs to get oxygen. In diseased veins, however, blood can actually flow the wrong way. This is particularly true in the legs, where returning blood must fight gravity.
The result can be veins that become enlarged, painful, and unsightly. The most common symptoms are throbbing pain and itching around varicose veins. In addition, some patients may experience:
· leg swelling
· wounds that form typically at the level of the ankle and are slow to heal
· Blood clots that form in varicose veins, which result in a painful inflammatory reaction (these are rarely life threatening and are different from those in deeper veins that could travel to the heart and lungs)
Women are more likely to develop varicose veins than men. This is particularly true for women who have had multiple children. Varicose veins can also develop and worsen as we age.
Genetics, too, can play a role. If you have close family members with varicose veins, you are more likely to develop them yourself.
What are the most effective treatments for varicose veins?
Compression stockings—socks that compress the leg from the ankle upwards, assisting blood flow from the leg—can be very effective in helping to manage symptoms related to varicose veins. However, many patients find the stockings uncomfortable to wear.
There are a variety of minimally invasive outpatient treatments to help treat varicose veins. In the unlikely event of an adverse reaction to any of the medications used during the procedures, being in a hospital setting guarantees patients will have rapid access to any emergency medical care they may require.
Here are a few treatment options:
· thermal (laser or radiofrequency) ablation
· vein removal (phlebectomy)
· injection of agents to scar small veins to make them disappear (sclerotherapy)
These treatment options require incisions less than a quarter inch. Patients are typically able to go home 30 minutes after their procedure and can resume most of their routine activities within 24 hours. However, patients should refrain from heavier exercise for two weeks after most procedures. Patients can expect some discomfort generally for one to two weeks afterwards. This is usually effectively managed with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Home remedies and prevention
Many websites promote a variety of home remedies for varicose veins, but there is not much research to back up most of those claims. While most of the home remedies are unlikely to be harmful, it is always best to discuss them with your doctor before trying them out.
While there is no way to prevent varicose veins from forming, being overweight has been suggested as a risk factor for varicose vein development. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise can be helpful in managing your weight and may help in preventing them.
Jason P. Vachon, MD, is a vascular and interventional radiologist at Rhode Island Medical Imaging. He specializes in treating varicose veins and chronic venous problems. Newport Hospital provides this monthly column for The Newport Daily News.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Varicose vein treatment tips from a Newport Hospital doctor
