If you have varicose veins, you’re not alone. Many people get them, and as we get older, they become increasingly more common. There are definitely some things you should know about varicose veins so that as you seek treatment, your treatment options will be more manageable. If you’re looking for more information, check out theultimateveinguide.com. This is a good resource to bookmark, too.
If you have a lighter case of varicose veins, your doctor may recommend that you seek care with items you can find at your local pharmacy. Some of these items are less expensive than others, but they are all relatively affordable ways of helping you with your varicose veins.
A couple of the things your doctor may tell you to check out are:
1. Compression Hose.
These are high-pressure hose that goes on like stockings, and you’ll need to elevate your legs to put them on. They provide the most support to your ankles so that your legs (where your varicose veins likely are) don’t have to support all your weight. If your doctor recommends them, you should get some and then elevate your legs at night for about 10-15 minutes after you get home from your day.
2. Over-The-Counter Drugs.
If your legs are simply swollen around the varicose veins (which they likely are), you can get some aspirin or ibuprofen at the store and take it. This is a pretty fast fix, and if you are also using the compression hose, you should find some relief from these two things together. Make sure you take the recommended amount and give it time to start helping reduce swelling.
If you have a more serious case of varicose veins, which could include discoloration or deep pain, you may want to consider medical procedures to help you out.
Varicose veins can begin to involve deep veins and become more painful, which is not what you want, but there are surgical remedies for even this type of problem:
1. Laser Surgery.
This can remove some of the discolored veins (though it may not help with deeper veins). This is a good topical remedy if you want to get rid of your lighter veins. This is relatively simple to perform for many doctors, so you should definitely look into it, especially if you’re most interested in removing your veins for cosmetic reasons.
2. Sclerotherapy.
This is a more serious procedure than laser surgery, but it stops the veins from transporting blood. A chemical is injected into your vein to make this happen, and this can stop the pain from varicose veins that are filling up with blood and creating pressure in your legs. You should definitely talk to your doctor about it if you think it would help you.
3. Stripping.
This is when your veins are surgically removed. This would be the last resort for many, but it is a good option if your veins are causing you great pain and need to be taken out. You can talk to a doctor or vascular surgeon about this. Since there’s no real way to prevent the veins from occurring, this option may help remove the source of your trouble.
As you can see, varicose veins are a troubling occurrence that happens largely as we age. If you are familiar with these ways of treating them, you may be able to get to the source of your pain and eradicate it from your life. Remember, before pursuing any of these options (especially the over-the-counter options), check with your doctor to make sure you are getting what you need to treat your varicose veins.
