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.

This condition is sometimes called a spider vein, and occurs when there is pressure to the lower body preventing blood from traveling back up to the heart. The blood pools in the vein causing it to enlarge and turn blue. For this reason, most of these varicosities are located in the legs and feet, often advancing to the stage of being an eyesore that results in a negative body image.

Self-care procedures can include elevating the feet or wearing compression hose in order to ease the pain one might experience. Often women will suffer aching and throbbing in the legs, or itching near the site of a spider vein. The condition can be quite painful for some women, but women will never speak to a doctor about treatment options. Women are sometimes under the impression that it is something they have to live with, and sometimes they even believe they brought this condition onto themselves through inadequate exercise.

In rare cases one might develop a rash or sores around the ankles. This can be a signal of a much more serious vascular disease known as venous insufficiency, and medical care should be sought. The fact of the matter is, this is sometimes more than a matter of vanity or mild discomfort, and women who ignore the more severe symptoms can suffer strokes or aneurysms, and in extreme but rare cases may have to undergo an amputation.

Hormonal changes which might occur with aging or pregnancy contribute generally minor varicosities in her venous system. As the vein loses elasticity, it becomes less successful at carrying blood to the heart, against the flow of gravity. As blood pools in the vein, it becomes enlarged, and the blood may spider out into other smaller vessels around it. Pregnancy varicosities generally improve on their own after the child is born.

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.

The irony is that walking or being upright a great deal is generally regarded as healthier than sitting for long periods of time and becoming overweight. As usual, nature punishes women with clear and obvious signs of aging, making it more difficult to look and feel attractive even when she embraces a healthy lifestyle. The good news is that there are solid treatment options.

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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