Varicose veins are those unsightly bulging veins that you often see on legs or feet. If you have them, you’re probably aware of the discomfort or pain they can cause—especially after a long day of standing or sitting.
Compression therapy helps reduce the inflammation and pain caused by varicose veins—it also improves poor blood circulation.
Is compression therapy always the best way to treat varicose veins? And how does compression therapy for varicose veins work?
Here are the answers.
What Are Varicose Veins?
People usually find varicose veins—those enlarged and twisted veins—on their calves, ankles, and/or thighs. But they can be almost anywhere on your body. The veins are dark purple or blue and aren’t often a medical concern.
However, for many people, varicose veins are a cosmetic concern; they cause embarrassment when you’re wearing shorts, a skirt, or a bathing suit.
Other times, varicose veins can reveal a budding health issue or even pose a health risk themselves.
Varicose veins are caused by valve problems within the veins. Valves become damaged or weak and blood circulation is affected; the blood begins to pool in the legs and veins enlarge.
Some symptoms associated with varicose veins include:
Swelling in the ankles or legs
A feeling of heaviness in your legs
Itching around the vein area
Achiness or pain in your legs
Skin discoloration around the veins
At times, untreated varicose veins lead to other health issues, including venous ulcerations or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
The weakening of vein walls from chronic vein valve problems is a common cause of CVI. Blood flow toward the heart decreases and instead blood pools in the legs. CVI itself is not life-threatening but can lead to serious health complications including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and leg ulcers.
Factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins include:
A sedentary lifestyle
Being overweight
Pregnancy
Aging
Increased blood pressure in the veins
What is Compression Therapy?
Many vein doctors consider compression therapy to be the first line of treatment for mild-to-moderate varicose veins. They often suggest combining compression therapy with leg elevation or movement exercises.
Compression therapy helps eliminate many of the physical symptoms associated with varicose veins. It can also help with leg or foot discomfort associated with:
Chronic venous insufficiency
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet
Pregnancy
Compression treatment is non-invasive; it simply involves wearing compression (elastic) socks, stockings, or wraps. By applying continuous pressure to your legs and squeezing leg muscles, the compression clothing helps push blood upward against gravity, making it easier for blood to flow back to your heart.
This treatment also keeps fluid from building up in the legs, feet, and ankles, prevents blood clots, and helps ulcers heal on the skin.
Your legs will feel:
More comfortable
Less painful
Less tired
Less swollen
Better supported
Wearing the proper compression stockings will also help keep veins from getting worse.
A vein specialist can evaluate your vein health and recommend the exact type and amount of compression that will work best for you. You can purchase some compression stockings over the counter, while others require a prescription.
Compression stockings are also often recommended both before and after vein treatment.
Compression socks may extend to different lengths, from just over the ankle to up to your knee.
If you’re standing or sitting for extended periods during the day, ankle compression socks can keep your feet feeling comfortable.
Manufacturers rate socks to show the pressure they provide.
Units of measurement are listed as “mmHg,” which stands for millimeters of mercury—a measurement of pressure. Compression sock ratings include:
Low—less than 20 mmHg—do not require a prescription
Medium—20-30 mmHg—require a prescription
High—More than 30 mmHg—require a prescription
If you have moderate-to-severe varicose veins, your doctor will probably write you a prescription for compression socks for pain relief and improved circulation.
Compression Stockings
Compression socks are a common type of compression wear. They reach up to the knee. Longer compression stockings (sleeves or tights) are available if swelling goes higher than your knee.
Compression stockings can be rated or not rated for pressure. The socks and stockings should feel comfortably snug but shouldn’t feel overly tight or painful.
Velcro Wraps and Bandages
These compression items are helpful for people who have trouble putting on socks. The elastic bandages often require several layers while wraps can have convenient Velcro closures.
Inflatable garments is another category of compression-wear. Users inflate these devices to a specific amount of pressure. They’re generally used by athletes to reduce muscle soreness and improve blood circulation to speed recovery.
Other Treatments for Varicose Veins
While compression garments usually help reduce discomfort caused by varicose veins, they cannot fix varicose veins or improve their physical appearance.
However, today there are many varicose vein treatments that will permanently eliminate existing varicose and spider veins.
Treatments for the elimination of varicose veins include:
There are some medical conditions that make it unsafe to use compression therapy. One of these conditions is peripheral artery disease (PAD). Here, compression therapy would be harmful since the blood vessels in the legs would narrow and reduce blood flow.
It’s always recommended that you consult your doctor first before you start compression therapy.
We all understand the importance of being good listeners. Actively listening to others creates trust, collaboration, and prevents misunderstandings. But how many of us listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us? Learn how to understand your body to improve your health.
Here are some things your body may be saying. When you listen closely, you’ll find you both speak the same language!
Ways to Listen to Your Body
Keep a Journal
Write in a journal daily and talk about how you are feeling physically. Are you having trouble sleeping through the night or experiencing an upset stomach?
And don’t forget your emotional health. Are you feeling overly stressed or depressed?
Then watch for patterns. Patterns can connect physical or emotional feelings to your diet, other events in your day, or even other symptoms.
Pay Attention to Your Stomach
Do you feel lethargic or bloated after eating? Keep track of the foods you eat and how you feel afterwards.
This can uncover food-related issues, such as lactose intolerance or food allergies. Try removing the disagreeable foods from your diet and see if the symptoms disappear.
If necessary, review your findings with your doctor to discover a possible underlying medical issue.
Listen to Your Digestive System
Your colon may tell you it’s feeling bloated or painful. Or you may need to strain to go to the bathroom.
There are things you can do to make bowel movements regular, including:
Eat 30-40 grams of fiber daily
Eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables
Drink plenty of water—about eight glasses a day
If symptoms persist, contact your doctor.
If your family has a history of colon cancer, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy.
Pay Attention to Allergic Reactions
Do you commonly experience:
Sneezing and/or runny nose
Hives and/or rashes
Itchy eyes
Stomach cramps and/or vomiting
These symptoms can all be signs of food or environmental allergies.
A doctor can test you for allergic reactions. If they find an allergy, eliminate the irritant if possible and/or get allergy treatment so you will feel better.
Think About Your Mental Health
Are you depressed or anxious and you don’t know why? Are feelings of anxiety, or other emotions, interfering with your everyday life?
Do you have persistent feelings of:
Sadness
Worthlessness
Despair and hopelessness
Exhaustion
Poor concentration
Loss of interest in almost everything
These can be signs of a mental health disorder.
The National Institute of Health estimates that “one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.” The great news is that many treatments are available so people can manage their illness and lead fulfilling, satisfying, and productive lives.
Contact a mental health professional and start to feel better!
Notice If You’re Feeling Tired
Everyone feels tired at times, but persistent feelings of tiredness can mean health issues that you should discuss with your doctor.
To increase your energy, try:
Eliminating carbs and foods with added sugars from your diet
Your body can’t function optimally without enough quality sleep.
Lack of sleep can even hurt your heart’s health and weaken your immune system. Learn more about the effects of sleep on your health.
If you wake up in the morning still tired, try:
Keeping your bedroom quiet, cool, and free of lights from electronic devices
Avoiding caffeine after 2 pm-4 pm
Avoiding alcohol within 3 hours of going to sleep
Avoiding heavy meals before bedtime
Listen to Your Hair and Skin
Your hair and skin say lots about your health.
Has your hair recently changed in texture or volume? Are you suddenly losing a lot of hair? This can show a hormonal or nutritional imbalance in your body.
Does the skin on your face have patches of different tones? Are they reddened or dark? This can indicate a medical condition, as will yellowing or orange-looking skin.
Share these findings with your doctor.
Watch for Signs of Varicose Vein Disease
Do you have any of the following symptoms:
Heaviness, achiness, or pain in legs, especially at the end of the day
Itchiness near veins
Leg cramps
Swollen feet and ankles
A feeling of pressure in the legs
Sores on the legs and ankles
Swollen or bulging veins
All these symptoms can be signs of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) disease.
We can easily remember critical signs that you or another person are experiencing a stroke by using the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym.
B.E. F.A.S.T stands for:
B—Sudden problems with balance or coordination
E—Eye problems-sudden blurred or double vision, or loss of vision without pain
F—Face Drooping
A—Arm Weakness
S—Speech Difficulty
T—Time to call 911 IMMEDIATELY
Indicators of Good Health
You’re on the right track if your body’s telling you these things:
You feel energetic and rarely have muscle strains or pains
Your bowel movements are consistent and show no noticeable changes in color or consistency
You sleep with minor interruption, fall back asleep in under 20 minutes, and feel well-rested in the morning
Your skin is hydrated, clear, and even in tone
Your hair has a sheen, little breakage, and little shedding
Your gums are pink and healthy and don’t bleed with tooth brushing or flossing
You easily concentrate, remember things, and can let go of negative experiences without lingering worrisome thoughts
Get Regular Checkups
Now that you know how to listen to your body, make an appointment to talk to your doctor about any health concerns.
Also, make it a lifetime habit to visit your doctor for a yearly checkup. This way, many medical problems can be detected early, when they are most treatable.
If you are looking for a varicose vein specialist, contact us at NJVVC for a free vascular screening and complete vein care.
The state-of-the-art treatment for eliminating unsightly or bothersome veins is sclerotherapy. This popular, minimally invasive treatment is highly effective in reducing the symptoms and appearance of certain veins. But a common question about sclerotherapy is how long does it last?
What Is Sclerotherapy?
Vein doctors consider sclerotherapy to be the best and most effective treatment for spider and reticular veins, and some smaller varicose veins.
Some people want vein treatment because they are bothered by the veins’ appearance, while some suffer with uncomfortable symptoms. Sclerotherapy will make both types of patients happy. However, insurance will usually only cover treatment costs if it’s a medical necessity.
Sclerotherapy treatment is used to treat veins on the calves, thighs, and other places on your body. It’s a treatment that permanently eliminates existing troubling veins.
During sclerotherapy, your doctor will inject a specialized solution into the vein. The vein becomes irritated and collapses. Blood can’t flow through the damaged vein and instead moves through a nearby healthy vein.
The collapsed vein is naturally reabsorbed into other tissue and is no longer seen through the skin nor painful for the patient.
About the Sclerotherapy Treatment
A sclerotherapy treatment can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as an hour. Patients enjoy the fact that the procedure does not require any anesthesia.
Treatment time will in part depend on how many veins are being treated and the condition of the veins being treated.
If only a few small spider veins in close proximity to one another are to be removed, you might only need one treatment session.
If many veins of various sizes and locations need to be treated, the varicose vein specialist will need to schedule several treatments—usually about a month apart. The varicose vein specialist often treats all veins in two to four sessions.
At the start of the procedure, the medical professional applies numbing cream to the treatment area. This will keep the patient from feeling any pain when the sclerosing agent is injected.
With visual sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a sclerosing agent directly into the vein. This treatment works extremely well for spider veins and reticular veins.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is often the best way to treat reticular veins and some varicose veins.
Most people resume their regular activities after the procedure. However, you will want to avoid strenuous activity for about a week. You should also avoid hot showers and baths, and direct sunlight.
Your varicose vein doctor may direct you to wear compression socks or stockings for up to two weeks following the treatment—especially when you expect to be on your feet for extended periods of time. Walking for a half-hour a day for the first few weeks will help with results and recovery.
Soon you will see the results you want. With spider veins, you will enjoy results in as little as three to six weeks, with up to 80% of treated veins disappearing after each treatment. Larger veins may take longer to show results, taking three to four months.
Here you can watch an actual demonstration of veins disappearing after sclerotherapy treatment.
How Long Does Sclerotherapy Treatment Last?
Sclerotherapy treatment produces long-lasting results. More precisely, the treated veins will permanently fade away as they collapse and will not be used again by your body. They will never need further treatment.
However, if the original causes leading to spider and reticular vein development persist, new veins will likely develop as time goes on. People often confuse these new veins with a reappearance of the old veins, but this is never the case.
Sclerotherapy treatment is effective and permanent. But it does nothing to keep new problem veins from developing.
Are new problem veins likely to develop after treatment? It depends on whether the causing conditions still exist.
These conditions include:
Family history
Being female
Pregnancy or taking birth-control or hormone replacement pills
Being overweight
Taking certain medications
Continuously sitting or standing for long periods of time
Aging
Hereditary factors will strongly determine whether you develop more veins in the future. In fact, if both of your parents have varicose veins, you have a probability of about 90% of developing them again in the future. Happily, should new problem veins develop, sclerotherapy will successfully eliminate these new veins too.
Are You a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy?
Your overall health will determine whether you’re a suitable candidate for this treatment. A consultation with a varicose vein doctor will give you a definitive answer. Happily, most people who are interested in this treatment are excellent candidates.
If you are a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding, you will need to hold off treatment until after delivery or until breastfeeding concludes.
How to Help Keep New Problem Veins from Developing
After sclerotherapy you will want to keep your legs looking and feeling great. The key to keeping new spider or varicose veins from developing is to work toward a strong vascular system.
This includes:
Eating a balanced diet, low in salt, with lots of fresh fruits and veggies
Exercising regularly
Keeping at or getting to a healthy weight
Avoiding putting unnecessary stress on your body
Avoiding high heels
Avoiding sitting or standing continuously for long amounts of time
Walking daily
Staying on certain medications—check with your doctor
Wearing compression socks when flying or taking a long car trip
Contact us at The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center to learn more about sclerotherapy treatment with our vein specialist.
Poor circulation can affect many areas of your body, including your legs, feet, and toes.
There are many reasons for poor blood circulation in the legs and feet, and usually several things you can do to improve your circulation.
It’s important to see a medical specialist for diagnosis, and then follow the prescribed treatment for your specific condition. There are different diagnostic tests doctors can perform to get an accurate diagnosis. But sometimes a doctor still can’t pinpoint the cause—even after tests are done.
Symptoms of Poor Circulation in the Legs and Feet
Some symptoms of poor circulation in the legs and feet are:
Discolored feet that sometimes turn blue, white, purple, or red
Dry or cracked skin on feet or legs
Hair loss on legs or feet
Slow wound healing on feet
When a person has poor circulation, cells don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients delivered, and waste remains in cells. Cells function poorly; blood vessels narrow, harden, or even close.
People with poor circulation are commonly:
Over 40-years-old
Overweight
Diabetic
Smokers
Living a sedentary lifestyle and don’t exercise
Some Causes of Poor Circulation
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that results in too much glucose (sugar) in your blood. Doctors can easily diagnose diabetes by performing blood tests.
Plaque accumulates in the blood vessels when high blood sugar continues for extended periods of time. Poor blood circulation affects the legs and feet and other parts of the body.
Without treatment, this could lead to serious health problems, including foot ulcers—which can result in amputation if they can’t heal properly.
People with diabetes need to have their feet checked regularly to make sure they’re not developing signs of poor circulation or neuropathy.
Smoking
Cigarette smoke causes damage to your arteries. Plaque accumulates over time and causes circulation problems.
It’s simple. If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start!
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, unattractive veins that appear twisted or gnarled.
These unsightly veins develop when damaged blood vessels cause extra pressure to be put on the veins. Then the newly formed varicose veins further contribute to poor circulation by allowing blood to flow backwards, instead of up toward the heart. Read more here about chronic vein insufficiency.
Leg symptoms of varicose veins include:
Aching or heaviness
Itchiness
A burning sensation
Some common risk factors for varicose veins include:
Being female
Obesity
Older age
Standing for lengthy periods of time every day
Smoking
Genetic predisposition
A vein specialist uses out-patient procedures to treat varicose veins. Changing your lifestyle, such as losing weight and wearing compression socks will help as well. However, damaged veins need medical correction.
Atherosclerosis is a condition of dangerous plaque build-up that often affects arteries of the legs and arms, as well as the heart and brain.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) occurs when plaque damages the blood vessels that bring blood to the legs and feet.
PAD is the most common cause of poor circulation in the legs.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol can contribute to the development of PAD. When a person has PAD, they are also most likely at risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
One test used to diagnosis PAD is the ankle-brachial index. During this test, your doctor compares the blood pressure in your arm to the blood pressure in your ankle.
Here are things you can do to stop PAD from progressing:
Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control
Exercise
Don’t smoke
Eat a healthy diet
High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol
When you have high blood pressure, blood is pushing against your blood vessels with unusually powerful force. This can weaken your blood vessels and ultimately interfere with good blood circulation.
When a person has high cholesterol, cholesterol inevitably deposits on artery walls.
Raynaud’s Disease
Raynaud’s disease affects blood circulation when a person is cold or stressed. It usually affects blood flowing to toes and fingers, although it can affect other areas of the body.
Symptoms include:
Toes or fingers turning white
Extremely cold extremities
Burning, tingling, pain, or numbness
These symptoms can last for as little as one minute or continue for several hours.
Medication and lifestyle changes are used to treat Raynaud’s disease.
Risk factors for Raynaud’s disease include:
Having a job that causes vibrations to the body
Being over sixty and have another vascular disease
Taking cyclosporine or some beta-blockers
Having fibromyalgia or a history of hepatitis B or C
What You Can Do to Improve Blood Circulation in Your Legs
Follow medical treatments for underlying conditions
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise
Avoid sitting for lengthy periods of time—take frequent breaks
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) can be a life-threatening event. It’s caused when a blood clot in the leg interferes with circulation. There is always a chance that the clot will travel and cut off blood flow to the lungs.
DVT often occurs if you do not move for a long time—such as you are recuperating from an operation in bed or sitting in a plane or car for a long time. Read about traveler’s thrombosis.
Signs of DVT include:
Sudden pain (that begins in the calf) or swelling in the leg
Skin feels warmer than usual to the touch
Discolored skin
There’s numbness or “pins and needles” in your leg
If the clot has broken away, you may feel chest pain, sweat, and have difficulty breathing. More about when to see a doctor.
If you are concerned about your leg circulation or have varicose veins, contact us at NJVVC for diagnosis and treatment.
Traveler’s thrombosis, also known as economy class syndrome or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a medical condition that can occur when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, after prolonged periods of sitting, such as during air travel or car rides.
Spring and summer often bring travel adventures. Many of us will go to our local airport, check in, go through the standard security measures, and board an airplane for an exciting new destination.
If you have ever travelled for prolonged periods of time, you may have experienced red blotches on your ankles of calves. You’re not alone. This is commonly referred to as Traveler’s thrombosis.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis or DVT, refers to a condition where blood clots form in the leg veins. This may occur in any situation where there is prolonged pooling of blood in the deep veins of the legs or pelvis.
This common for bed-bound persons and those who sit for long periods of time in chairs, cars, trains, or airplanes.
If a clot, or portion of a blood clot becomes detached from the vein, this process is called venous thromboembolism or VTE.
In very few cases a clot, or portion of the blood clot can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, or PE.
This can present as a serious condition, as it is possible for a large embolism to travel in the bloodstream and block a major artery or blood vessel in your lung and can result in death.
Pulmonary embolisms are rare in airline travelers, occurring only in 0.4 million airline passengers. For those passengers experiencing PE, it is fatal about 2% of the time.
Personal risk factors can play a role in the incidence of VTE. Other conditions, like duration of flight and a person’s degree of immobility during the flight, can increase the risk.
Risk factors and symptoms of Traveler’s Thrombosis
The risk of developing traveler’s thrombosis increases when you have additional risk factors such as obesity, pregnancy, smoking, taking birth control pills, or having a history of blood clots.
Symptoms of traveler’s thrombosis can include pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area. In some cases, the clot may break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a potentially life-threatening condition called a pulmonary embolism.
To reduce the risk of traveler’s thrombosis, it is recommended to take frequent breaks and walk around during long flights, wear compression stockings or socks, and stay hydrated.
It’s also important to talk to a healthcare provider before traveling if there are additional risk factors present.
If you have red blotches on your ankles and legs after air travel, it is recommended that you seek medical attention to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
If you are experiencing any other symptoms, such as pain, swelling, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
Leg and foot swelling during air travel
Leg and foot swelling during air travel is a common problem and is often caused by a combination of factors related to sitting for extended periods of time and the low cabin pressure in airplanes.
During air travel, the lower cabin pressure can cause fluid to shift from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues, leading to swelling. Additionally, sitting in a cramped position for a prolonged period can cause blood to pool in the legs, further exacerbating the swelling.
Other factors that can contribute to leg and foot swelling during air travel include dehydration, wearing tight-fitting clothing, and not moving around enough during the flight.
People who have pre-existing medical conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease may also be more prone to swelling during air travel.
To prevent or reduce leg and foot swelling during air travel, it is recommended to:
Wear loose-fitting clothing and comfortable shoes
Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine
Walk around and stretch your legs frequently during the flight
Wear compression stockings or socks, which can help improve blood flow
Consider taking a low-dose aspirin before the flight, especially if you have a higher risk of blood clots.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, talk to your doctor before flying and ask for specific advice on how to manage swelling during air travel.
Most people know the difference between spider veins and varicose veins. But what about spider veins vs. reticular veins? What’s the difference?
Veins are the structures that bring blood up from your legs and back to your heart. Three major vein issues that people commonly notice on their body are:
Spider veins
Reticular veins
Varicose veins
How Can I Tell the Difference Between Veins?
Spider Veins
Spider veins, also called telangiectasias, are the smallest veins measuring 1mm or less. They appear close to the surface of the skin and often take on a “tree-like” appearance with the veins looking like tree branches.
Spider veins mainly occur on the thighs, ankles, or calves
These veins can vary in color, ranging from blue/purple, to red or pink.
Usually, these veins don’t cause any physical symptoms unless they occur in larger clusters. Some people may feel slight discomfort in a heavily veined area.
Reticular veins
Reticular veins measure between 1mm and 3mm in diameter and are located just below the skin’s surface. They are slightly larger than spider veins.
Reticular veins exist a little deeper in the skin than spider veins, which run more along the surface. Unlike varicose veins, they don’t protrude from beneath the skin.
Reticular veins are found in the legs—commonly on the back or inner thigh—but can occur on the face, breasts, ankles, or knees.
These veins are usually not a medical problem. More often, people are concerned with the aesthetic issues they cause.
Since reticular veins feed into spider veins, they are also called feeder veins. You often see reticular veins right near spider vein clusters.
These veins are blue/green or purple. However, they can take on a ropey appearance and exist in clusters, giving the skin an unattractive marbled appearance.
Reticular veins, unlike spider veins, are often annoying or painful. The more reticular veins you have in an area, the more annoying they will become.
Common symptoms of reticular veins include:
Itching or irritation
Tenderness or pain
General discomfort in the area
Burning
Fatigue and heaviness
Spider veins and reticular veins are both referred to as superficial veins.
Let’s Not Forget About Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are the largest veins. They measure larger than 3mm in diameter. They often bulge out from the skin and usually are purple or blue. Varicose veins are most often found on thighs, calves, ankles, and feet.
Symptoms of varicose veins are similar to the symptoms of reticular veins.
What Causes Reticular Veins and Are They Dangerous?
Reticular veins:
Run in families
More commonly occur in women than men
Can be caused by obesity
Can develop during pregnancy
Develop with age, especially in people over 50 years old
Can be caused by sitting or standing for long periods of time
Can have no known cause
However, reticular veins often aren’t reason for concern except for cosmetic reasons. But it’s important to know that reticular veins do indicate that blood is not flowing as well as it could.
Reticular Veins and Venous Insufficiency
Venous insufficiency or prior blood clots cause reticular veins.
Venous insufficiency occurs when blood doesn’t properly flow back to the heart from the feet. Blood pools in the veins.
This, in turn, creates pressure around the veins as well a swelling within the veins. Over time, the walls of the vein become weak and bulge. Veins can twist and skin marbling occurs.
Signs of venous insufficiency are:
Visible varicose veins on the skin’s surface
Leg pain or cramps
Weak legs
Tightness in calves
Itchy legs
Swelling in legs or ankles
Leg ulcers
Aching or heaviness in legs
Skin that thickens or changes color on legs or around ankles
There are steps you can take to improve blood flow in reticular and other veins.
These at-home solutions for improving blood flow include:
Wearing compression socks or stockings
Elevating your legs periodically
Leaving legs uncrossed when sitting
Exercising
Avoid sitting for long periods of time
Maintaining a healthy weight
These steps may be enough to relieve your discomfort from reticular or varicose veins.
Treatment Options for Reticular Veins
If you continue to have discomfort from reticular or varicose veins, or desire cosmetic treatment for any vein issue, it’s time to see a vein doctor.
Your treatment options will depend on the size and location of your veins and the severity of the venous insufficiency.
Medical treatment of existing reticular veins often prevents the development of associated spider veins. Treatment of reticular veins can also cause nearby spider veins to disappear.
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy
The National Institute of Health states that “Sclerotherapy, when used with the correct technique, is the most effective method for the management of reticular varices and telangiectases.”
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy involves the injection of a sclerosing agent into the vein. The inner walls of the vein collapse and the vein seals itself shut. Blood is naturally directed to other healthier veins. Over the course of a few months, the body reabsorbs the old vein, and it disappears.
FDA-Approved Varithena™
At NJVVC, we use Varithena for this sclerotherapy treatment. It is an FDA-approved patented microfoam that is extremely well tolerated by patients having sclerotherapy treatment.
