You are having varicose veins does more than affect your appearance. These superficial veins can cause severe discomfort, including swelling, skin discoloration, and muscle cramps. Also, varicose veins can cause complications like a blood clot or open sores on your legs when left untreated. For this reason, specialists recommend vein treatment in Memphis to diminish symptoms like swelling and pain and prevent complications.
Treatment options for spider and varicose veins range from simple self-care to minimally invasive procedures. Usually, healthcare providers recommend tips to improve circulation before trying other treatments. Below are different therapies that healthcare providers recommend for varicose veins.
Self-care
If you have mild varicose veins, your specialist may recommend the following tips.
- Exercise. Your leg muscles are your biggest allies since they help your leg veins work against gravity. Therefore, they should be strong to support your veins push blood from the legs to the heart. Simple leg exercises like brisk walking and swimming can help improve blood circulation in your legs.
- Elevate your legs. Leg elevation is the simplest way to improve blood circulation in your legs. You can prop your legs on a stool or use a few pillows to raise your legs above your heart level.
- Do not sit or stand for hours. Take some time after every 30 minutes to walk around; this helps improve blood circulation.
The above self-care tips can help prevent the formation of new varicose veins but can’t get rid of existing ones.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings are designed to apply steady pressure on your leg veins to help move blood back to your heart. The pressure also brings down swelling in your feet and reduces your risk of getting a blood clot. Although compression stockings improve blood circulation and reduce swelling, they don’t eliminate the appearance of varicose veins. If you need compression stockings, your specialist may recommend a Doppler exam to check your blood circulation. Compression stockings are available in different sizes; your healthcare provider will help you find one with the proper size and the right amount of pressure.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a common treatment for varicose veins that healthcare providers have used over the years. It involves injecting a chemical agent that irritates the damaged vein, causing it to seal shut. Over the years, specialists have improved this treatment to make it safer and give patients better outcomes. Below is what to expect during sclerotherapy.
- Using a fine needle, your specialist injects a solution into the affected vein. Usually, different areas of the vein are injected.
- The doctor may massage the area and place a compression stocking on each leg.
- Your doctor will observe you for some time before allowing you to go home.
- You will need to take daily walks and wear compression stockings as directed by your doctor; this is vital to prevent possible side effects.
Many people resume work and other activities the next day after sclerotherapy; it is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning it has minimal downtime. Sclerotherapy causes the vein walls to stick together so that blood doesn’t flow through them anymore. Your doctor may recommend two to three treatments to get the best results. Usually, spider veins disappear in three to six weeks, and varicose veins take about three to four months.
If you have further questions about vein treatment, consult your provider at Ellichman Vein & Vascular Centers.
