Possible Treatments For Varicose Veins

By Stella Gay


Women from Austin, TX to the Far East have or will someday be faced with the suffering of discolored and bulging in their venous system. Rarely is this condition spoken of, even to her health care provider. For reasons that are their own, many women fail to seek treatment for their varicose veins.

Also known as a spider vein, this condition is an enlargement of a vein that occurs as a result of pressure in the lower body due to standing upright for long periods of time. The varicosities are most often seen in the legs, ankles, and feet. Many doctors will recommend certain self-treatment procedures, but more often than not the condition is hardly mentioned unless it is an advanced case.

Self-care procedures can include elevating the feet or wearing compression hose in order to ease the pain one might experience. Often women will suffer aching and throbbing in the legs, or itching near the site of a spider vein. The condition can be quite painful for some women, but women will never speak to a doctor about treatment options. Women are sometimes under the impression that it is something they have to live with, and sometimes they even believe they brought this condition onto themselves through inadequate exercise.

An advanced form of this condition known as venous insufficiency can occur in some individuals. For these unfortunate souls, a surgical alternative may be required and should be sought sooner rather than later. If caught early the surgery can be done through non-invasive laser technology.

This condition occurs for most women due to pregnancy or advancing age. The vein loses elasticity and is unable to successfully bring the blood back up the legs and to the heart, against the flow of gravity. This causes some blood to pool back down into the vein, thus enlarging it. Those women who suffer varicosities during pregnancy will generally see a post-natal improvement without further treatment.

Men occasionally suffer with variations of this ailment, but it is generally an affliction suffered by women. Hormonal changes from pregnancy and aging play a factor, although obesity and a tendency to stand or sit in one position for long periods of time are a more primary cause. A woman may begin to see blue rope-like strands on her legs and feet, just below the surface of the skin.

Women often believe that being on their feet promotes a more healthy lifestyle, and they would be correct most of the time. However, if there is not enough movement going on, she is contributing to the pressure on her lower body. This is a tough reality for women who push themselves to lead an active life with hopes of keeping their bodies unmarred while approaching life changes such as parenthood or middle age.

Fortunately, treatment such as properly fitting compression stockings, frequent movement and change of sitting or standing position, as well as developing muscle tone in the legs through exercise can all help to promote circulation. The herb called horse chestnut seed extract is known to aid in circulation, and can improve the appearance of varicosities. For women with serious venous insufficiency, treatment with lasers or even the old-fashioned sclerotherapy can be utilized as corrective measures.




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