Varicose vein treatment

Bulging veins are prominent, enlarged veins that often appear blue or purple. They’re easy to see because they’re superficial veins close to the surface of your skin and typically occur on show up in your legs, feet, ankles and hands. While bulging veins are usually harmless, they can be a sign of a more serious problem like a blood clot. Overview What are bulging veins? Bulging veins are visible and enlarged veins that are close to the surface of your skin. They seem to pop out from your skin and can be very noticeable. These veins might appear twisted or rope-like, and their color may be blue or purple. If you touch them with your finger, you can easily feel their shape. They can appear throughout your body but are most commonly occur on one’s legs. If you notice bulging veins, you might wonder what they mean. Usually, bulging veins aren’t cause for concern. Many people simply don’t like how they look. However, sometimes they can signal a serious medical problem or lead to complications. So it’s important to know what causes your veins to bulge and when you should call your healthcare provider. Symptoms and Causes What causes veins to bulge? If you notice your veins are bulging, you might have You have different types of veins in your body, including deep veins and superficial veins. Varicose veins form when the superficial veins, the veins just beneath the skin, weaken. Increased blood pressure in your veins stretches them longer and wider. Your veins normally have one-...

Diagnosis Your health care provider will do a physical exam, including looking at your legs while you're standing to check for swelling. Your provider might also ask you to describe pain and aching in your legs. Tests To diagnose varicose veins, a health care provider might recommend a test called a venous Doppler ultrasound of the leg. A Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to look at blood flow through the valves in the veins. A leg ultrasound can help detect a blood clot. In this test, a health care provider moves a small hand-held device (transducer), which is about the size of a bar of soap, against the skin over the body area being examined. The transducer transmits images of the veins in the legs to a monitor, which displays the results. Treatment Treatment for varicose veins may include self-care measures, compression stockings, and surgeries or procedures. Procedures to treat varicose veins are often done as an outpatient procedure, which means you usually go home on the same day. Ask your insurer if varicose vein treatment is a covered expense. If varicose vein treatment is done only to improve the appearance of the legs (cosmetic reason), the cost might not be covered by insurance. Self-care Self-care — such as exercise, raising the legs when sitting or lying down, or wearing compression stockings — can help ease the pain of varicose veins and might prevent them from getting worse. Compression stockings Wearing compression stockings all...

Sclerotherapy involves a doctor injecting a solution into blood vessels or lymph vessels that causes them to shrink. Generally, it is a safe and effective treatment that can help with varicose veins or spider veins. Sclerotherapy is a nonsurgical procedure. Doctors may also use it to treat blood and lymph vessel disorders that cause vessels to form incorrectly. The solution is called a sclerosant, and it irritates the targeted vessel, causing it to swell. This swelling cuts off the flow of blood or lymphatic fluid, and the vessel shrinks. In this article, we look at the uses of sclerotherapy, what to expect from it, and what recovery entails. People may consider sclerotherapy to treat varicose veins or People may want to consider other approaches first. For example, people can People with varicose veins or spider veins might consider sclerotherapy if the veins are too twisted for other treatments to work or if they have uncomfortable symptoms, • itching • aching • burning • swelling • night cramps • the legs feeling very heavy or tired A doctor assesses the problematic veins or lymph vessels before recommending this approach. Sclerotherapy is usually an outpatient procedure that lasts During the procedure, a doctor uses a fine needle to inject the sclerotherapy solution into the varicose or spider vein. They may use ultrasounds to guide them. There may be a mild burning sensation or cramping for a Alternately, the doctor may administer an anesthetic and insert a catheter i...

The first line of treatment for your But you might need a medical procedure. Your doctor may recommend this if your • Severe • • Some people also choose to have procedures to improve the looks of their legs. Which Procedure Is Right for Me? How will you and your doctor decide which procedure is the best choice for you? You will have to weigh several things in making that decision. Among them: • Your age and how healthy you are overall • The extent of your varicose veins • Your symptoms • How well you might do with specific procedures • Your goals and opinions about how you look and feel • What the doctor expects your condition to be in the future Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have any questions about procedures in which you will be given anesthesia (a type of medical treatment that stops you from feeling pain during surgery). Your doctor may talk to you about “local anesthesia,” which blocks pain in just a small part of your body, or “general anesthesia,” in which you’re not awake during the surgery. The procedures to treat varicose veins fall into 2 categories: those that close the veins and those that remove them altogether. Ways to Close Veins When your doctor closes off a varicose vein, your You can have this procedure done in a doctor’s office. You may need several treatments -- usually 4 to 6 weeks apart -- to completely close off a vein. You won’t need anything to numb you, and the only discomfort you’ll feel will be the sensation of small needle pricks fr...

What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins. Varicose veins can happen anywhere in the body, but are more common in the legs. Varicose veins are not considered a serious medical condition. But, they can be uncomfortable and can lead to more serious problems. And, because they may be very noticeable, they may cause people to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. What are spider veins? Spider veins, a milder type of varicose veins, are smaller than varicose veins and often look like a sunburst or "spider web." They are red or blue in color and are commonly found on the face and legs, just under the skin. What causes varicose veins? Varicose veins are caused by increased blood pressure in the veins. Varicose veins happen in the veins near the surface of the skin (superficial). The blood moves towards the heart by one-way valves in the veins. When the valves become weakened or damaged, blood can collect in the veins. This causes the veins to become enlarged. Sitting or standing for long periods can cause blood to pool in the leg veins, increasing the pressure within the veins. The veins can stretch from the increased pressure. This may weaken the walls of the veins and damage the valves. What are the risk factors for varicose veins? Varicose veins may be more common in some families (inherited). Increased pressure in the veins may cause varicose veins. Factors that may increase pressure include: • Overweight or obesity • Older age • Being female • Being in...

What Are the Treatments for Varicose Veins? A mild case of Superficial varicose veins normally do not require medical attention, but they should not be ignored. To relieve the discomfort, your doctor may recommend the following: Compression stockings, which you can buy in most pharmacies and medical supply stores. Over-the-counter stockings include the support panty hose offering the least amount of pressure and the compression hose offering more pressure. Higher-pressure compression stockings provide the most pressure and require a prescription. Compression stockings are designed to help your leg muscles push Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug such as If you notice Medical Procedures Most varicose veins do not need to be removed. If particularly bothersome, varicose veins can be eliminated by one of several methods: • Laser treatment in which light energy from a laser is directed at the vein causing it to gradually fade or disappear; multiple treatments are required and the procedure is used to treat small varicose veins. • Sclerotherapy, in which a chemical is injected into the vein to collapse its walls so it can no longer transport • ablation with catheter-assisted methods that use heat with radiofrequency waves or lasers to destroy and ultimately close the vein • Surgical removal, or stripping Unfortunately, no treatment can prevent new veins from becoming varicose. Before pursuing a particular treatment, discuss all options with a dermatologist or vascular surge...

Treatment Treatment for varicose veins may include self-care measures, compression stockings, and surgeries or procedures. Procedures to treat varicose veins are often done as an outpatient procedure, which means you usually go home on the same day. Ask your insurer if varicose vein treatment is a covered expense. If varicose vein treatment is done only to improve the appearance of the legs (cosmetic reason), the cost might not be covered by insurance. Self-care Self-care — such as exercise, raising the legs when sitting or lying down, or wearing compression stockings — can help ease the pain of varicose veins and might prevent them from getting worse. Compression stockings Wearing compression stockings all day is often the first approach to try. The stockings squeeze the legs, helping veins and leg muscles move blood more efficiently. The amount of compression varies by type and brand. Compression stockings are available at most pharmacies and medical supply stores. Prescription-strength stockings also are available and may be covered by insurance if varicose veins are causing symptoms. Surgeries or other procedures If self-care steps and compression stockings don't work, or varicose veins are more severe, a health care provider might recommend surgery or other procedures: • Sclerotherapy. A health care provider injects the varicose veins with a solution or foam that scars and closes those veins. In a few weeks, treated varicose veins should fade. The same vein might need...

Varicose veins are swollen blood vessels that appear just under your skin’s surface in your lower body. When your vein walls are weak and your valves aren’t working right, blood backs up in your vein. This causes the blue and purple bulges you see on your legs, feet or ankles. Several treatment options can work, but varicose veins can return. Overview Varicose veins look blue or purple below the skin. What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are swollen, twisted blood vessels that bulge just under your skin’s surface. These blue or purple bulges usually appear in your legs, feet and ankles. They can be painful or itchy. Spider veins, which may surround varicose veins, are smaller red or purple lines that appear close to your skin’s surface. Although they can be unsightly and uncomfortable, varicose veins aren’t dangerous for most people. In some cases, severe varicose veins can lead to serious health problems, such as blood clots. You can relieve most varicose vein symptoms at home or your healthcare provider can treat them with injections, laser therapy or surgery. What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins and spider veins are both types of Spider veins aren’t usually painful. They can appear anywhere on your body, most often behind your knee, on your feet or on your face. Varicose veins usually appear on your feet and legs. Who is likely to get varicose veins? Anyone can develop varicose veins. Certain factors increase your chances of ...

Varicose veins are swollen blood vessels that appear just under your skin’s surface in your lower body. When your vein walls are weak and your valves aren’t working right, blood backs up in your vein. This causes the blue and purple bulges you see on your legs, feet or ankles. Several treatment options can work, but varicose veins can return. Overview Varicose veins look blue or purple below the skin. What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are swollen, twisted blood vessels that bulge just under your skin’s surface. These blue or purple bulges usually appear in your legs, feet and ankles. They can be painful or itchy. Spider veins, which may surround varicose veins, are smaller red or purple lines that appear close to your skin’s surface. Although they can be unsightly and uncomfortable, varicose veins aren’t dangerous for most people. In some cases, severe varicose veins can lead to serious health problems, such as blood clots. You can relieve most varicose vein symptoms at home or your healthcare provider can treat them with injections, laser therapy or surgery. What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins and spider veins are both types of Spider veins aren’t usually painful. They can appear anywhere on your body, most often behind your knee, on your feet or on your face. Varicose veins usually appear on your feet and legs. Who is likely to get varicose veins? Anyone can develop varicose veins. Certain factors increase your chances of ...

Diagnosis Your health care provider will do a physical exam, including looking at your legs while you're standing to check for swelling. Your provider might also ask you to describe pain and aching in your legs. Tests To diagnose varicose veins, a health care provider might recommend a test called a venous Doppler ultrasound of the leg. A Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to look at blood flow through the valves in the veins. A leg ultrasound can help detect a blood clot. In this test, a health care provider moves a small hand-held device (transducer), which is about the size of a bar of soap, against the skin over the body area being examined. The transducer transmits images of the veins in the legs to a monitor, which displays the results. Treatment Treatment for varicose veins may include self-care measures, compression stockings, and surgeries or procedures. Procedures to treat varicose veins are often done as an outpatient procedure, which means you usually go home on the same day. Ask your insurer if varicose vein treatment is a covered expense. If varicose vein treatment is done only to improve the appearance of the legs (cosmetic reason), the cost might not be covered by insurance. Self-care Self-care — such as exercise, raising the legs when sitting or lying down, or wearing compression stockings — can help ease the pain of varicose veins and might prevent them from getting worse. Compression stockings Wearing compression stockings all...