Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Possible Treatments For Varicose Veins

By Stella Gay


It is a condition that most every woman will face within her lifetime, though it is rarely spoken of in the media, or even medical circles. For women who develop them, they are an embarrassing eyesore which can result in some women avoiding any clothing which would reveal the legs. From Austin, TX to Ontario, Canada, women have learned to endure their varicose veins in silence.

Women usually hate spiders, so naturally they sometimes refer to this condition as a spider vein. They develop when there is added pressure on the legs and feet, resulting in blue rope-like lines near the surface of the skin. Doctors have treatments they can recommend, but they do not always know about the condition unless the woman seeks their counsel.

The procedures recommended for self-care include exercise, changing standing or sitting positions every half hour, and sometimes the wearing of compression stockings or hose. When the woman is suffering discomfort or painful throbbing in her legs, her doctor may have some surgical alternatives. However, she must be willing to discuss the presence of this pain and find out what her options really are.

An advanced form of this condition known as venous insufficiency can occur in some individuals. For these unfortunate souls, a surgical alternative may be required and should be sought sooner rather than later. If caught early the surgery can be done through non-invasive laser technology.

This condition occurs for most women due to pregnancy or advancing age. The vein loses elasticity and is unable to successfully bring the blood back up the legs and to the heart, against the flow of gravity. This causes some blood to pool back down into the vein, thus enlarging it. Those women who suffer varicosities during pregnancy will generally see a post-natal improvement without further treatment.

Men occasionally suffer with variations of this ailment, but it is generally an affliction suffered by women. Hormonal changes from pregnancy and aging play a factor, although obesity and a tendency to stand or sit in one position for long periods of time are a more primary cause. A woman may begin to see blue rope-like strands on her legs and feet, just below the surface of the skin.

Women often believe that being on their feet promotes a more healthy lifestyle, and they would be correct most of the time. However, if there is not enough movement going on, she is contributing to the pressure on her lower body. This is a tough reality for women who push themselves to lead an active life with hopes of keeping their bodies unmarred while approaching life changes such as parenthood or middle age.

Fortunately, treatment such as properly fitting compression stockings, frequent movement and change of sitting or standing position, as well as developing muscle tone in the legs through exercise can all help to promote circulation. The herb called horse chestnut seed extract is known to aid in circulation, and can improve the appearance of varicosities. For women with serious venous insufficiency, treatment with lasers or even the old-fashioned sclerotherapy can be utilized as corrective measures.




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