News & Research On Varicose Veins

Over 80 million Americans suffer from varicose veins and other vascular ailments. The past 10 years have seen revolutionary advances in the treatment of varicose veins. With today's technology it is no longer necessary to endure the painful vein stripping and other unbearable vein removal procedures that required long recovery times. Newer vein treatment methods are hardly painful and either involve minimal down time or none at all. In most cases they will allow immediate return to work and other every day activities.

In the recent past, vein treatments often required days in the hospital and recovery was notoriously painful. As well, past treatments commonly left behind large scars. With todays improved technology, vein treatment are minimally invasive, leave behind no scarring evidence, and are not as uncomfortable. Even in the most advanced cases of varicose veins, they can be treated little trouble at all. Today vein treatments usually include a combination of the laser closure of veins and injections of unhealthy veins to remove them. No anesthesia is involved and the costs are significantly cheaper than in the past decades. Some health insurances even cover the removal of varicose veins as a preventative measure to more debilitating vein disorders.

What are the causes of varicose veins and how can they be prevented? Unfortunately the causes are still unclear and the prevention of them is also debatable. Most of the times varicose veins are merely a cosmetic issue and pose no real threat. Some researchers believe they are hereditary where as others simply believe it just happens with age. Women are likely to have them over men as there are four women to one male that are inflicted. Some researchers claim it is be a combination of all of these things along with lifestyle. Excess weight and strain on the legs can be a factor as well. The truth is, no one really knows. Even though it is unclear how they are caused, there are many tips that doctors suggest in order to avoid or alleviate them.

  • Elevate your legs whenever possible and keep the feet above the heart.
  • Exercise daily and pump up the calf muscles to get the blood to flow evenly in the legs.
  • Move your legs often and try to avoid sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Maintain an ideal body weight to reduce extra pressure and weight on your legs.
  • Avoid excessive heat from bathing or hot tubs on your legs.