Varicose veins are the veins underneath your skin that look red or blue. These veins sometimes become enlarged and can bulge or twist, as well as becoming raised above the skin’s surface. For many, they are unsightly and can also cause pain or discomfort. You may have them as a sign of aging, or due to other medical conditions.

Varicose veins are most commonly seen on the legs, though some women get them on their buttocks during pregnancy. According to Women’s Health, half of the people 50 years and older have varicose veins. They affect approximately 50 percent of women and 40 percent of men. The following information explains the varicose vein treatment options that are available.

Causes of Varicose Veins

The primary cause of varicose veins that protrude from the skin, is from vein valves that become weak or damaged. If these valves become damaged, they try to push blood back upwards toward the heart, but this only causes it to flow backwards into the legs. The blood often collects in the weakened veins, therefore causing varicose veins.

Lifestyle Treatments

Before trying surgical treatment, lifestyle changes as a Merced vein treatment are suggested. For instance, if you are overweight, your doctor will recommend trying to lose weight as this will improve the blood flow in your body and reduce pressure on your veins. You should also avoid tight clothing that tends to worsen the varicose veins, and continue getting physical activity etc. Don’t stand or sit for too long without taking a break or wear high heels for long periods of time.

Compression Stockings

Another non-surgical varicose vein treatment option often recommended is the use of compression stockings. These will gently squeeze your legs to help the blood flow in your leg muscles and veins normalize. You can either get the compression stockings from your doctor’s office or at any drug store, pharmacy or medical supply store. Be sure to get the right size of stockings.

Surgical Vein Treatments

You will find that a variety of surgical treatments for varicose veins are available at your nearby Northbrook vein clinic. Modesto vein doctors offer surgical procedures like sclerotherapy and laser therapies, as listed below.

Sclerotherapy. This is the most common type of treatment for varicose veins. It is minimally invasive and helps to scar, and then close the veins with an injection, so they are no longer a problem.

Laser Procedures. There are different types of laser therapies used to treat the smaller varicose veins, as well as spider veins. This is done with strong bursts of light that is pointed into the vein so that over time, they fade and disappear in many cases.

Vein Stripping. Vein stripping is for longer, more severe varicose veins that other treatments don’t help repair. With this procedure, the long vein is removed by making several small incisions in the skin above it.

Endoscopic Surgery. If you have severe varicose veins along with leg ulcers, you may need an endoscopic surgery that closes these veins using a video camera inserted into the leg. Patterson vascular surgeons only perform this in more severe cases.

By choosing one of these varicose vein treatment options, you not only remove their appearance, but reduce the discomfort experienced.