Varicose veins – Diagnosis, Prevention, and Home Remedies

Why you shouldn’t ignore varicose veins

Some cases of varicose veins may not cause any non-visual symptoms at all. However, varicose veins neglected can cause painful and serious complications. These include:

• Inflammation of the veins: The vein may feel hardened and warm to the touch. The area can also appear red and cause burning.
• Leg ulcer: The failure of valves in veins may manifest as wound-like ulcers.
• Swelling in legs: Untreated varicose veins may cause fatigue, pain, and swelling in the ankles and legs.
• Pigmentation and skin changes: Skin at the affected site may become dry, itch, and even contract. People with thin or sensitive skin may experience eczema or chronic discolouration near the varicose veins.
• Thrombosis: Malfunctioning veins, in extreme cases, can result in clotting of blood in the veins, accompanied by sharp, shooting pain in the leg.
• Sudden bleeding from an untreated vein.

Diagnosing varicose veins

Your doctor will most likely conduct a physical examination of your legs and visible veins while you sit or stand and check if you are experiencing any pain.

In addition to this, your doctor may also conduct the following tests to check if your symptoms are being caused by other venous issues such as blockages and blood clots. These are:

• Ultrasound: This non-invasive test will reveal the flow of blood in your veins and check for markers of any complications.
• Venogram: A deeper assessment of your vein health can be performed by injecting a dye into your legs and then taking an X-ray to observe blood flow.

Prevention with lifestyle changes and treatment at home

Though there is no way to completely prevent the occurrence of varicose veins, there are some ways to reduce the risk of developing them or getting new ones. Improving blood circulation and the muscle tone in your legs can enhance the blood flow in your legs.

The measures and lifestyle habits that can be used to treat non-serious cases of varicose veins can also help you prevent them at home. These include:

1. Avoid sitting or standing for too long

Sitting or standing for long durations makes it harder for the blood to travel up your legs back towards the heart. This increases the pressure on the leg veins to pump/ push the blood harder against gravity towards your core. This can lead to blood pooling around your ankles and causing swelling in your legs.

This problem affects sedentary office-goers and workers who spend a lot of time on their feet alike. People who spend a lot of time working sitting down should take a break about every half hour to walk a bit, even if to the break room. Taking small breaks to walk will help improve blood circulation in your legs and reduce venous pressure.

If you are stuck at your workstation, you can perform small exercises sitting down, such as:

• Stretching your ankles
• Bending your knees and lifting them towards your core
• Paddling with your feet

On the other hand, if your job requires you to be standing for long times, take scheduled breaks and sit for a while to give your leg muscles some rest.

2. Adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours

Practicing healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent the occurrence of varicose veins or additional ones. These include:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity or being overweight can aggravate the pressure inside the veins of your legs and put increased stress on your leg muscles. Losing weight can not only help prevent varicose veins from forming, but also reduce the risk of other lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
• Eat a healthy, low sodium diet: A balanced diet comprising of complex carbohydrates, fibre, proteins, and other necessary components can help you reduce your body weight. It is advisable to stay hydrated throughout the day and to avoid foods high in salt. Proper hydration will help maintain healthy blood circulation.

3. Exercise

Any leg exercise that strengthens your muscles and improves your veins’ ability to push blood to the heart will help prevent varicose veins from appearing. One of the easiest and most beneficial exercises you can do is walking.

Lower-body exercises help tone and stretch the deep muscles in your hamstrings and calves. These deep muscles can help your veins function properly and prevent pressure from building in them. These exercises include intensive activities such as running, cycling, and swimming. However, if you are facing age or injury-related issues, yoga can provide the same benefits without straining your joints and body too much. Sun salutations and most forward-bending poses will help you stretch and tone your legs.

4. Elevate your legs

To increase blood flow to your heart and reduce pressure in the veins of your legs, place your legs on a stool or a chair at an elevation at scheduled times or when possible during your day. Elevating your feet negates the impact of gravity and reduces swelling in your ankles. This is especially helpful if your work requires you to sit at a desk for long durations or of you to spend a lot of time standing.

Try elevating your legs at least thrice a day for 10-15 minutes.

5. Sleep on your left side if you are pregnant

One of the most common causes of varicose veins in women is pregnancy. It can be beneficial for pregnant people to sleep in positions that reduce the pressures of an expanding uterus on the veins to prevent them from becoming varicose. In case varicose veins have already formed, sleeping on the left side can help ease the symptoms of varicose veins during your pregnancy and reduce the pressure on the big vein in your pelvic region.

6. Use compression

Applying upward pressure on the lower legs and ankles can help push blood towards your heart. Depending on the level of support and pressure that your legs need, your doctor may advise you to wear compression garments that range from everyday pantyhose (for women or as per personal preference) to specialty compression socks and stockings. These garments help improve the circulation of blood in your legs against gravity and reduce swelling. Compression socks and stockings that provide high pressure are usually available only if prescribed. These socks are meant to be worn throughout the day and in combination with a routine of elevating legs.

Varicose veins, though usually not harmful, should not be left untreated. Major internal complications can affect you if you ignore this problem. Though not entirely preventable, it is possible to reduce the risk of developing them without drug or surgical intervention by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and employing a few remedies and routines that can be practiced easily at home. If you are worried that your veins might be getting varicose or already have them, seek advice from your primary doctor. For more information about varicose veins, consult the best vascular surgeons in Bangalore at the Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery in Sagar Hospitals.