Your Questions About Varicose Veins

Rene Heasman answers:

Not really hon no.
Certain things make them more likely but ultimately if you are going to get them you probably will whatever you do.
Moreover, most surgeons generally agree that all varicose veins recur at some point even if you have surgery for them.
It is a condition perculiar to homo sapiens, although our bipedal structure is often blamed, primates generally do not get varicose veins.
What increases your risk?
Being a woman, having children, yes okay a family history does play a role, or any previous history of DVT.
Ultimately the correlation between symptoms attributed to varicose veins and relief resulting from surgery is very poor indeed (large studies such as the Edinburgh vein study found the only symptom imporved by surgery was itching; smaller centres have implied some prevention of ulcer recurrence may result from vein surgery if you have venous ulcers but there is no evidence that it expedites ulcer healing).

Ultimately people usually seek surgery for cosmetic reasons but try and justify it with reports of symptoms they associate with them. If you are considering surgery a trial of grade II compression hosiery is warranted first since a failure of symptoms to improve with this measure implies they will not improve with surgery either.

Surgery can be disfiguring and has risks which, although usually minor, one coule argue are hard to justify if the consequences of not operating are hardly life or limb threatening.

It’s not any easy problem.
Good luck

Rene Heasman answers:

A very good pair of support hose i.e. Ted stockings for when you are on your feet. If you mean cosmetically, you can buy leg makeup to cover the discoloration otherwise surgery.

Rene Heasman answers:

I don’t know. But, firstly, you have to determine first if it’s really varicose veins or spider veins.
Both two are still different. My friend has spider veins & she has it treated on injection to help it disappear & it really works. Maintenance is needed every two weeks she has therapy. Also, when going to sleep, she wears panty hose full support to help her legs relax well & heal.

Rene Heasman answers:

An easy cheap solution for this is a skin product. I forgot what it’s called but it reduces the appearance of veins.
Check out your local chemist or dept. Store

Rene Heasman answers:

Varicose veins are dilated parts of vein which sit just under the skin. This usually happens due to weakness in part of the wall of the vein, so they widen, making them more visible. When this structural problem takes place near a valve, the valve may not work as it should, allowing blood to flow back. This puts extra pressure on the vein, allowing blood to pool in the veins which causes bulging, making them appear more prominent. Various factors are involved in developing this problem, obesity, pregnancy and aging are common factors.

VV only require treatment if you are having problems. You’ll need to have a couple of tests to look at how blood flows through your veins and also to exclude peripheral vascular disease.

There are many different types of treatments available. Obviously try elevating your legs and avoid standing for prolonged periods of time. Exercise helps. Compression stockings are helpful too as they counter the pressure on the veins which might help symptoms. If your VV aren’t causing actual problems but are just itchy, creams can be prescribed in this instance.

If things are really a problem then surgery is an option. Other treatments include sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation, Transilluminated powered phlebectomy and foam sclerotherapy. Your Doctor will decide which one is best for you.