Everyday Habits That Improve Vein Care Naturally

Varicose veins are twisted, rope-like vessels near the surface of your skin. They develop in clusters and are bluish or purple. You may also notice tiny red or blue lines (spider veins) nearby. Varicose and spider veins are a normal part of the circulatory system, but they can become painful and swollen because they don’t drain blood properly. Center For Advanced Vein Care can diagnose varicose and spider veins during a physical examination. They may also ask you questions about your symptoms and past health. They may also test your blood flow and check for blood clots with an ultrasound exam.

Treatments for vein pain may include lifestyle changes and procedures or surgeries. These are usually done as outpatient procedures, and you can go home the same day. Ask your insurer if these treatments are covered. If they are done only to make your legs look better, they may be considered cosmetic and not covered.

Some treatments may cause temporary pain and a slight burning or itching. These are caused by heat from the blood clot that is forming in the damaged vein. The clot can break loose and travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism), which is life-threatening.

Other treatments relieve pain and prevent complications by restoring proper blood flow to your leg veins. They include wearing compression stockings, elevating your legs while sitting or lying down several times a day and exercising to strengthen your leg muscles. You can also use natural supplements, such as horse chestnut extract (Aesculus hippocastanum L.).

Your doctor can treat some varicose veins with a procedure called sclerotherapy. During this, your healthcare provider injects a special chemical solution directly into the diseased vein with a fine needle. The solution irritates the lining of the vein, which causes it to close up and visually fade over time. Other nearby healthy veins take over blood flow from the collapsed vein.

A surgical procedure known as ambulatory phlebectomy can remove larger varicose veins through small incisions. This is done under local anesthesia.

Another surgical procedure, endothermal ablation, uses heat to seal the vein. A healthcare professional puts a thin tube (catheter) into an enlarged vein. The catheter’s tip is heated by radiofrequency or laser energy. This destroys the inside lining of the vein, causing it to collapse and seal shut.

There are also minimally invasive procedures, such as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation, that are used to treat smaller varicose veins. In these procedures, your healthcare provider injects a special foam or heat into a diseased vein. The foam closes the vein and makes it shrink. Over time, it is absorbed by your body and replaced with healthy veins.

You can help reduce your risk of varicose and spider veins by managing your weight, avoiding salt, and wearing comfortable shoes with good support. You can also avoid tight clothing around your waist and legs, especially over the ankles. Try to wear low-heeled shoes that work your calf muscles more and don’t put too much pressure on your veins. If you must wear tight clothing, you can elevate your legs for 30 minutes at a time several times a day to improve blood flow.

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