Veins - Part 2     Veins - Part 3     Veins - Part 4     HOME


Vein Health Issues

Varicose veins also may lead to a condition called superficial thrombophlebitis.
Thrombophlebitis is a blood clot in a vein. Superficial thrombophlebitis means that the blood clot occurs in a vein close to the surface of the skin. This type of blood clot may cause pain and other problems in the affected area.

Exactly How are Varicose Veins Diagnosed?
Doctors often diagnose varicose veins based on a physical exam alone. Sometimes tests or procedures are done to find out the extent of the problem and to rule out other health conditions.

Specialists are often Involved.
If you have varicose veins, you may see a vascular medicine specialist or vascular surgeon. These are doctors physicians specializing in circulation and blood vessel conditions.

You also may see a Dermatologist.
A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in skin issues and skin conditions. The doctor will perform a physical exam to check for varicose veins in your legs. The doctor will look at your legs while you're standing or sitting with your legs dangling. The vein doctor will ask you about your signs and symptoms, including any pain you may or may not be having.

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures Diagnostic Tests and Procedures.
Your Doctor May recommend to check the Doppler ultrasound blood flow in your veins and to look for blood clots. A Doppler ultrasound sends sound waves to create pictures of the structures in your body.

During this test, a hand-held device will be placed on your body and passed back and forth over the affected area.

Angiogram.
Angiogram testing is not too common, however, your doctor may order an angiogram to get a more detailed look at the blood flow moving in your blood vessels. This procedure injects dye into your veins and arteries. The dye outlines your veins on X-ray images. An angiogram can help your doctor confirm whether you have varicose veins or another problem.

How Are Varicose Veins Treated?
Varicose Veins therapy and treatment options include both lifestyle changes and medical procedures. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and improve overall body appearance. Going to a health wellness institute for therapy can help your circulation and has other health benefits.

If your varicose veins cause few symptoms, your doctor may suggest simply making lifestyle changes.
If your varicose veins have few symptoms, lifestyle changes can work well. If your symptoms are more severe, your doctor may recommend one or more medical procedures. For example, you may need a medical procedure if you have significant pain, blood clots, or skin disorders as a result of your varicose veins.

Some people who have varicose veins choose procedures to improve the appearance of their varicose veins.
Varicose vein procedures can improve the appearance of varicose veins. Treatment can help existing varicose veins, it can't keep new varicose veins from forming.

Lifestyle Changes are Usually Excellent Remedies.
Lifestyle changes often are the first and best treatment for varicose veins. These changes can prevent varicose veins from getting worse, reduce pain, and delay other varicose veins from forming. Lifestyle changes importantly include a healthy diet, exercise and losing weight.

Avoid standing or sitting for long periods without taking a break.
Do not stand or sit for long periods without taking a break. When sitting, avoid crossing your legs. Raise your legs when sitting, resting, or sleeping. Whenever you can raise your legs above the level of your heart, as the woman at the top of this page is doing.

Do physical activities to get your legs moving and improve muscle tone.
This helps move blood through your veins. If you're overweight or obese, lose weight. Weight-loss improves blood flow and eases pressure on your arteries and veins.

Avoid wearing overly-tight clothes.
Be careful with clothing which is too tight around your waist, groin, upper thighs and legs. Avoid wearing tight clothes which can make varicose veins worsen.

Avoid wearing high heels for long periods.
Low heel shoes can help tone your calf muscles, helping your veins since toned muscles help blood move fresh blood through the veins.

Your doctor may recommend compression stockings.
Compression stockings create gentle pressure up the leg. These stockings create gentle pressure up the leg. This pressure keeps blood from pooling and decreases swelling in the legs.

There are three types of compression stockings.
One type is support panty-hose. These offer the least amount of pressure. The second type is over-the-counter compression hose. These stockings give a little more pressure than support panty hose. Over-the-counter compression hose are sold in medical supply stores and drug stores and are often paid for by medicare drug coverage benefits.

Prescription-strength compression hose are the third type of compression stockings.
These stockings offer the greatest amount of pressure. They also are sold in medical supply stores and pharmacies. However, you need to be fitted for them in the store by a specially trained person.

Medical Procedures Treatment Procedures.
Such procedures are done either to remove varicose veins or to close them. Removing or closing varicose veins usually doesn't cause problems with blood flow because the blood starts moving through other arteries and veins.

You may be treated with one or more of the procedures listed below.
Common side effects right after most of these procedures include bruising, swelling, skin discoloration and slight pain.

The side effects are most severe with vein stripping and ligation.
Although rare, this procedure can cause severe pain, infection, blood clots and scarring.

Sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy uses a liquid chemical to close off the varicose vein. The chemical is injected into the vein to cause irritation and scarring inside the vein. The irritation and scarring cause the vein to close off, and it often will fade away.

This procedure often is used to treat smaller varicose veins and spider veins.
It can be done in your doctor's office, while you stand. You may need several treatments to completely close off a vein.

Treatments are typically performed every 4 to 8 weeks.
Following varicose treatment, your legs will be wrapped in elastic bandaging to help healing and decrease leg swelling.


home page