Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are not useful to the body. They are most common in the legs and feet because of the high pressure in those areas from standing and walking. They can be unsightly, but worse, they can be painful or itchy. You can try several self-help approaches to varicose vein treatment. If they don’t work, going to South Jersey vein doctors can be more effective because vascular surgeons have more aggressive approaches.
The following are seven strategies to get rid of varicose veins.
1. Exercise regularly.
Varicose veins form as blood pools in your legs if your body does not pump it back to the heart fast enough. Exercising can help because it makes the muscles in your leg contract. The muscles work against gravity to help pump blood back up to your heart.
2. Elevate your feet.
Elevating your feet helps prevent blood from pooling in your legs because of the downward pull of gravity. Put your feet up on a stool or some cushions when sitting at your desk for long periods to help fight gravity. Also, avoid long periods of standing still. Finally, lift the foot of your bed or place some pillows under your legs and feet when you sleep. The blood will return more easily to your heart.
3. Use compression stockings.
Compression stockings are another tool to get rid of varicose veins. They help prevent blood from pooling in your legs and feet by increasing their pressure. This lowers the amount of blood that accumulates in your legs and helps pump more up to the heart.
4. Eat right.
Maintain a healthy body weight to avoid putting too much pressure on your feet. If you are overweight, try to lose excess body weight by eating a calorie-reduced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Drinking water can also help you lose weight if you substitute it for juices and sodas.
5. Fight inflammation.
If your doctor agrees, try using non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. It reduces swelling in the legs. Ice is a natural anti-inflammatory. Use ice packs on your legs and feet, or stick your feet in a bucket of ice water. The ice also reduces pain from varicose veins.
6. Consider laser treatment.
If none of the self-treatment strategies work, New Jersey vein treatment doctors can help eliminate varicose veins. Laser therapy does not require surgery. Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) is an outpatient procedure that uses only local anesthesia and takes under an hour. It destroys the varicose veins and diverts the blood to healthy veins. Relief comes as soon as the treatment is finished.
7. Try sclerotherapy.
Another treatment to get rid of varicose veins at the vein clinic is sclerotherapy, with or without ultrasound, to guide the vein doctor. Vascular surgeons can inject medication into the varicose vein to destroy it.