Successful Weight Loss

The Real Danger Of Ignoring Varicose Veins

By Stella Gay


While Austin, TX may have many experienced vascular surgeons available, it is always in the best interests of the patient to avoid surgical solutions. When a condition suffered is resulting in an ugly discoloration or disfigurement to the body, then surgical procedures may be the only option. However, most varicose veins can be treated at home, or noninvasively.

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.

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.

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.

While men do sometimes suffer this affliction, it is primarily a scourge for women. Age and hormonal changes play a factor, as do the development of obesity or certain lifestyle or career choices. Women who walk or stand for long periods of time are more likely to see these ugly, blue, rope-like formations appear on their legs and feet.

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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