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VARICOSE
AND SPIDER VEINS |
Varicose
& Spider Veins
Do you often hide your legs because of the way they look? You
may have noticed tiny red or blue bursts called SPIDER VEINS.
Or maybe you have veins that bulge or look twisted (VARICOSE
VEINS). If so, there are treatments that can help. And, you
too, can do certain things to keep your veins healthy. |
What
Are the Symptoms?
For most people, spider veins aren’t painful. Varicose
veins, too, may never be a problem. But sometimes they can cause
legs to ache or swell. Your legs may also feel heavy and tired,
or like they’re burning. These symptoms may be more severe
at the end of the day. Prolonged sitting or standing can also
make your symptoms worse. |
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Who Gets Spider and Varicose
Veins? |
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What Can Be Done? |
Anyone can get spider or varicose
veins. But vein problems tend to be hereditary (run in families).
Other factors that can affect veins include:
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Pregnancy, hormones, and birth control pills
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A job where you stand or sit a lot
- Extra
weight or lack of exercise
- Age |
Spider and varicose veins can affect
the way you feel about yourself. Talk to your doctor about your
concerns. There are treatments that can easy symptoms and make
your legs look better. |
Your Office Visit |
Your Treatment Options |
| You’ll be asked questions about
your health history. Be sure to mention any allergies you have
or medications you take. Your doctor will also examine you and
check the condition of your veins. In some cases, tests may
be done to measure blood flows in your veins. |
Treatment may include self-care, sclerotherapy
(injecting veins with a chemical), or surgery. Spider veins
and some varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy. Large
varicose veins may need surgery. |
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SELF-CARE |
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Exercising |
| Your doctor may suggest that you try
self-care. Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight may keep
problem veins from getting worse. Wearing elastic stockings
and elevating your legs can help improve blood flow. Taking
breaks when you sit or stand helps, too. |
Exercising is good for your veins
because it improves blood flow. Walking is one of the best exercises
for vein health. But be sure to check with your doctor before
starting any exercise program. Also, keep these hints in mind:
- When exercising, start out slowly and try to build up to 30
minutes on most days.
- Elevate your legs above heart level after exercise to keep
blood from pooling in veins. |
Maintaining a Healthy Weight |
Wearing Elastic Stockings |
Lose any excess pounds. Being overweight
puts extra pressure on your veins. To maintain a healthy weight,
try these tips:
- Choose lean meats, fish, and skinless chicken.
- Use low-fat dairy products.
- Eat plenty of foods high in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits,
and vegetables.
- Cut down on sugar, salt, and fats such as butter. |
Elastic stockings gently squeeze veins
so blood flows upward. This helps keep blood from pooling in
veins. If you need elastic stockings, your doctor can prescribe
them for you. Follow your doctor’s advice about how and
when to wear them.
Don’t worry if they seem hard to put on at first. Elastic
stockings should fit snugly. |
Elevating Your Legs |
When Sitting and Standing |
| Raising your legs above heart level
will help relieve swelling and keep blood from pooling in veins.
Try to elevate your legs for 15 to 20 minutes at the end of
the day, and whenever you’re relaxing. To make sure your
legs are raised above heart level, prop them up on cushions
or large pillows. |
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To keep blood from moving when you
have to sit or stand for long periods, try these tips:
At work, take walking breaks instead of coffee breaks. Walk
during your lunch hour. Or try flexing your feet up and down
10 times each hour.
When standing, raise yourself up and down on your toes, or rock
back and forth on your heels. |
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SCLEROTHERAPY |
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What Sclerotherapy Does |
| The most common way to treat spider
and small varicose veins is sclerotherapy. This is a simple
office procedure. After treatment, you can return to your daily
activities right away. For best results, some veins may need
to be treated more than once. |
Sclerotherapy cause spider and small
varicose veins to disappear. This is done by injecting the veins
with a chemical that makes their walls stick together. Blood
then flows only through the healthy veins. Over time, the treated
veins go away. Sclerotherapy will not prevent new spider and
varicose veins from forming. |
What This Treatment Involves |
Know About the Risks |
| Your health care provider injects
your affected veins using a fine needle. In most cases, this
isn’t painful. You may feel a slight burning or stinging.
Many veins can be treated in a single session. But some veins
may need to be injected more than once. After sclerotherapy,
the injection sites are covered with tape and gauze. You may
also have to wear bandages or elastic stockings for up to a
week. |
Your health care provider will talk
with you about the risks of sclerotherapy. These can include:
Brown stains on the skin over the injection sites
- An allergy to the injected chemical
- Scabbing or scarring
- Small skin ulcers |
Recovering at Home |
When to Call Your Health Care Provider |
At first, your legs will most likely
be bruised. For a brief time, they may even look worse than
they did before treatment. But don’t worry. You can expect
to see good results in 6 to 8 weeks. For the best outcome, here
are some helpful hints:
- Wear elastic stockings or bandages as directed.
- Elevate your legs as instructed to help reduce swelling.
- Walk each day to increase blood flow.
- Follow your health care provider’s advice about other
kind of exercise. |
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Call your health care provider right
away if you notice any of the following:
- Pain in your legs or feet
- Bleeding at injection sites
- Extreme swelling or bruising
- Fever
- Chest pain |
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SURGERY |
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Just Before Surgery |
| If you have large varicose veins,
surgery may be the best option. However, it will not prevent
new varicose veins from forming. Surgery is most often performed
in a hospital or surgery center on an outpatient basis. Prepare
for your surgery exactly as instructed. |
Using a special ink, your doctor marks
each varicose vein on the surface of your legs. This helps make
sure that no veins needing treatment are missed. In some cases,
an ultrasound scan (an imaging test that uses sound waves) may
be done to check your veins. You’ll be given anesthesia
to keep you pain-free during the surgery. |
Varicose Vein Surgery |
Right After Surgery |
Your surgery will be tailored
to your needs. Varicose veins may be tied off (litigation) or
removed. Blood will then flow through the healthy veins. One
or more of the following techniques may be used:
Litigation
In some case, the surgeon may tie off the greater saphenous
vein. Smaller branching veins may also be tied off or removed.
Microphlebectomy
A special hook is used to gently take out a varicose vein through
tiny incisions. Microphlebectomy may be done in your doctor’s
office.
Stripping
If the saphenous vein is severely damaged, all or part of the
vein may be removed with a stripping instrument.
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Your legs will be wrapped in compression
bandages to control any bleeding or swelling. But expect your
legs to be bruised for a while. After a short stay in the recovery
room, you’ll be able to go home. Be sure to have someone
drive you.
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At Home |
When you return home, follow your
doctor’s advice. Be sure to keep any future doctor’s
appointments. Also, keep these tips in mind:
Avoid standing for long periods soon after surgery.
Arrange for a family member or a friend to help you run errands
or do household chores.
Keep your legs elevated when you’re sitting or lying down.
Walk as much as you can, starting the day after surgery. But
don’t overdo it.
Wear bandages or elastic stockings for as long as your doctor
suggests. |
Know About the Risks |
When to Call the Doctor |
Your doctor will talk with you about
the risks of surgery. These include:
- Bleeding or swelling
- Numbness in the legs
- Clots in the deep veins or lungs
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Call your doctor right away if you
notice any of the following:
- Severe bleeding or swelling
- Pain in the leg that doesn’t’ go away
- Fewer
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
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