Many patients seek cosmetic treatments to eliminate unsightly veins in their limbs. Plantation varicose veins are among the most common cardiovascular concerns affecting patients. Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels that appear on the skin’s surface. Depending on a patient’s skin color, these venous structures can be blue or purple. These swollen and twisted veins often have flooded capillaries surrounding them, called spider veins. Physicians categorize spider veins as early stages of varicose veins. It is necessary to undergo treatment of spider veins to prevent them from advancing into varicose veins, which may be painful and hinder mobility.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Veins usually have a larger lumen than arteries. For this reason, blood in veins usually flows at a relatively lower pressure than in arteries. Fortunately, veins have valves in them that prevent the backflow of blood. However, patients with faulty valves accumulate blood in the legs and feet, causing affected veins to increase in size.
The most common cause of varicosity is maintaining a sedentary lifestyle, which causes the muscles surrounding your veins to weaken and cause poor blood-pumping action. Pregnancy and obesity are other common causes of varicose veins because they cause increased pressure in the legs affecting venous function.
How Can You Prevent Varicose Veins?
Genetics is a risk factor for varicose veins. If you have a positive family history of varicose veins, your physicians will recommend various preventative measures to preserve your peripheral vein health. The following are the most effective ways to prevent varicose veins:
- Exercise regularly: There are so many benefits of exercising. Regular workout routines will help keep your legs toned and your muscles strong enough to support blood-pumping action. A workout routine will also help you manage your weight and boost blood flow to your legs.
- Lose weight: Lifestyle diseases like obesity and being overweight increase pressure in your legs, affecting venous function. Physicians advise patients predisposed to varicose veins due to genetics to lose weight to prevent the occurrence of these unsightly veins.
- Avoid tight clothing: Tight clothing restricts blood flow and makes your veins vulnerable to varicosity.
- Avoid high heels shoes: These types of shoes hinder circulation. Patients should opt for flat shoes that promote venous function.
- Do not stand for extended periods: The longer you stand or sit, the more you increase pressure in your legs, making your veins vulnerable to malfunction.
- Quit smoking: This habit causes inflammation throughout the body affecting your veins and increasing your risk of cardiovascular concerns like varicose veins.
How do Doctors Treat Varicose Veins?
Doctors usually recommend treatment for varicose veins depending on the severity of a patient’s condition. Conservative approaches like wearing compression stockings and taking anti-inflammatory medications are best for mild to moderate symptoms of varicose veins. Patients with severe varicosity require medical procedures like laser treatment, ablation, sclerotherapy, and surgical removal or stripping. It would be best to seek professional intervention to receive an accurate diagnosis of your symptoms that will influence the treatment approach your doctor recommends. Contact South Florida Vascular Associates if you have varicose veins to begin a treatment that will restore peripheral structure and function.
