Nearly everyone knows that varicose veins are visible, bulging, purplish or bluish veins that most often appear on your legs. But what many people don’t know is that varicose vein symptoms aren’t just cosmetic. These malfunctioning veins can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms, like aching, cramping, heaviness, itching, and limb fatigue, especially after you’ve been standing or sitting for long periods.
If you have varicose veins, there’s something else you should know: Medical treatment at TLC Medical Group Inc and a little TLC can help. Anthony B. Lewis, MD, FACC, offers a rundown of steps you can take to relieve varicose vein symptoms and resume enjoying activities without discomfort.
When it comes to managing varicose veins, many people turn to “home remedies” first. While lifestyle changes can’t eliminate those malfunctioning veins, they can help many people find relief from swelling, itching, and overall discomfort.
One of the best ways to relieve vein symptoms and slow the progression of vein disease is to stay active. Regular physical activity, like daily walks, promotes healthy circulation, reducing damaging pressure inside your veins. Regular exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight, another DIY strategy that supports normal vein health and function.
Another simple tip: Put your feet up whenever you can. Regularly elevating your legs helps relieve pressure on your veins, which in turn helps reduce swelling, aching, and heaviness. Keep your feet up whenever you’re taking a break, use pillows to elevate them slightly during sleep, and keep a footstool under your desk at work.
Many people with varicose veins in their lower legs, ankles, or feet benefit from compression socks or stockings. These garments apply gentle, graduated pressure that supports circulation and reduces swelling. While over-the-counter products are available, it’s best to consult with us first to ensure you get the right amount of pressure for your needs.
Finally, make sure you eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Skip foods high in sodium and unhealthy fats, and carry a water bottle to sip throughout the day.
While the tips above may help reduce your symptoms, they won’t make varicose veins go away or “heal” the damage that’s causing problems. For long-term relief or when conservative measures don’t offer enough relief, medical treatment can be an excellent solution, addressing the underlying problems directly.
At TLC Medical Group, we offer several options for treating varicose veins.
Many people benefit from sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive treatment that injects the damaged vein with a special solution that helps shrink the vein and fade away over time. Meanwhile, blood naturally reroutes to healthy neighboring veins for better circulation in the area.
For larger bulging veins near the surface of your skin, we may recommend ambulatory phlebectomy. This procedure removes damaged veins through tiny incisions made in your skin. Because the incisions are very small, scarring is minimal, and recovery is quick.
RF ablation uses energy waves to heat and seal off damaged veins. During treatment, we make a small incision in your vein and insert a tiny probe. This probe delivers measured bursts of energy to help seal the vein, rerouting blood to nearby healthy veins.
By offering different approaches to varicose vein treatment, our team can recommend the best therapy for you based on your vein health, symptoms, and other factors, helping you get the best results from your treatment plan.
Whether they cause discomfort or not, varicose veins should not be ignored. Without proper attention, these veins tend to worsen over time, eventually leading to skin changes that can even increase your risk of infection. Malfunctioning veins can also be a sign of a deeper, more serious issue, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which benefits from early care.
Don’t let painful varicose veins interfere with your comfort or your lifestyle. To learn how we can help, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Lewis and the team at TLC Medical Group in Port St. Lucie, Florida, today.
