Varicose veins are large gnarled veins that can be anywhere but are most common on the legs because standing and walking increases pressure on them.  Sometimes they are no bother but for others they can become painful and uncomfortable.  They usually look dark blue or purple in color and appear to be bulging.  You may feel a burning achy feeling in your legs, cramping or swelling.  The more you are on your feet the more they may hurt.  They say that some types of exercising, elevating your feet or wearing the support stockings can help short term for the discomfort but you may need to get treatment from your physician.

The causes for the varicose veins can vary but the common causes seem to be first, age.  As we get older the elasticity in your veins may weaken causing them to not be able to pump blood upward to the heart (as they have to work against gravity to circulate the blood).  So the blood kind of gets stuck in your veins in the legs and the vein gets larger and appears blue.   Another big cause of varicose veins is due to pregnancy as a lot more weight and strain is put on your legs and the veins.

My roommate had a problem with varicose veins for quite some time, as a result of pregnancy.  She just had a procedure done where the vein was kind of removed by 3 tiny incisions in her leg.  There is no need for a long hospital stay, as the procedure is done right in the doctor’s office.  There are many different treatments you can try but my roommate first tried the Sclerotherapy where the veins are injected with a solution to basically close the veins.  It did not work for her.  There is also laser surgery, Catheter assisted procedure, vein stripping, Ambulatory Phlebectomy, and Endoscopic Vein Surgery.  You may need to look up all these treatments to find what would be the best way you would want to go.  You would also need to speak with your doctor.

My roommate did go through a combination of the laser surgery in combination with the vein stripping in the doctor’s office.  Her doctor is the only qualified physician for this type of surgery in the area and he is also a cardiac specialist.  Her treatment included many follow ups, ultra sounds to be sure all was progressing properly, shots and medications to assure of no blood clots, she had to follow a strict walking and elevating routine and she is now fine.  It was definitely a scary procedure to look forward to but in hindsight she is extremely glad that she had the procedure done.  Now she actually feels like she has better circulation in her legs that she has not felt for years.

They say to prevent the occurrence of varicose veins, watch your weight, exercise, eat high fiber and low sodium, elevate your legs when you can, and try to limit wearing high heels and tight stockings’.  If you feel you are having problems, please consult your physician.  Treatments are so much less invasive these days than they used to be.  Take care of your legs . . . and your veins.