- Varicose veins are usually permanent except for unique cases such as pregnancy.
- Risk factors include prolonged sitting and standing, obesity, and genetics
- APEX Vascular provides treatments such as sclerotherapy and laser therapy
Varicose veins rarely disappear on their own and often worsen, making you feel self-conscious and potentially leading to complications. Medical treatment may become necessary to prevent this from happening. Talking to your doctor can help you create prevention strategies and know when it’s time for medical treatment.
What Are They and Who’s at Risk?
Unlike spider veins, which afflict small capillaries close to the surface of the skin, varicose veins affect larger veins. It causes them to become swollen as a result of weakened valves and compromised circulation. The precise reason for varicose veins is not completely understood, but there are risk factors that are known to play a role in their occurrence and ongoing nature.
Some of the primary risk factors for varicose veins include:
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes
- Prolonged periods of sitting or standing
- A family history of the condition
- Smoking
- Obesity
Your risk can also be increased by physical inactivity and age.
It’s useful to know these risk factors for prevention and control. If you do develop varicose veins, a knowledge of what may have brought them on can guide lifestyle changes and treatment to lessen symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening.
Can Varicose Veins Go Away on Their Own?
Can varicose veins go away on their own? Unfortunately, they’re generally permanent, but they may get better or less noticeable with time under certain circumstances. One of the most significant ones is pregnancy, which is highly linked to the development of varicose veins. This is due to sudden hormonal shifts and an increase in blood volume in the body.
In pregnancy, the growing uterus places additional pressure on the veins of the lower limbs. This causes them to dilate and develop into varicose veins. After giving birth, women may notice that their varicose veins shrink. This occurs as the blood volume of the body gets back to normal and the pressure on the veins becomes minimal.
Veins often return to normal within three or four months after giving birth. Note, however, that varicose veins don’t totally fade away after pregnancy. The risk of acquiring them is also higher with the number of subsequent pregnancies, especially if a woman already has them.
Sometimes, varicose veins are recurring or painful. Medical intervention may be necessary to eliminate them entirely in cases like these. Talking to a vascular specialist can help determine the most appropriate way.
How to Prevent Them
Prevention of varicose veins involves making behavioral changes to support healthy circulation within your legs. Helpful measures include:
- Wearing compression stockings
- Frequent walking if you work a job that entails a lot of sitting
- Sitting down occasionally if you work standing for most of the time
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Elevating your legs after work can also help ensure better circulation and reduce your risk of developing varicose veins.
However, these measures might not always be successful in avoiding varicose veins or totally removing symptoms. If you have persistent discomfort and swollen veins, you should discuss alternatives with your physician and get the appropriate treatment.
Varicose Vein Treatment
Make sure to talk to your doctor when you start getting varicose veins. While they’re not usually dangerous, your doctor can test for complications such as pain, clots, or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Treatment by a doctor may eventually be recommended if the issue worsens or you worry about the appearance of your veins.
Several minimally invasive treatments are applied to treat varicose veins, including:
- Sclerotherapy
- Endovenous thermal ablation
- Endovenous adhesive ablation
- Endovenous mechanochemical ablation
- Ambulatory phlebectomy
These treatments can act effectively in treating inflamed veins with few side effects and shorter recovery times. Early treatment can stop varicose veins from worsening and can even improve comfort and appearance.
Since varicose veins often don’t disappear on their own, professional treatment ensures that you will receive the best possible evaluation and care for your situation.
Trust APEX Vascular for Varicose Vein Treatment in East Tennessee
You can trust APEX Vascular for your varicose vein treatment, where we properly diagnose vein problems with advanced ultrasound imaging technology. This ensures that you receive the best treatment possible.
We offer the full spectrum of minimally invasive therapies, including sclerotherapy, endovenous thermal ablation, and ambulatory phlebectomy. We use these procedures to eliminate your varicose veins, improve circulation, and prevent serious complications.
Keeping an eye to your health as well as appearance, APEX Vascular offers specialized, personalized treatment you can count on for lasting improvement.
Varicose veins tend to worsen over time. Extended periods of sitting and standing, obesity, genetic predisposition, and sun exposure increase your risk. Intervention is vital for appropriate management, so talk to a vascular surgeon to explore treatment options such as sclerotherapy or laser therapy. APEX Vascular is here to guide you through the process, from start to finish.
APEX Vascular is a vascular surgery and vein center with locations in Knoxville, Lenoir City, Crossville, Decatur, and Harrogate, TN. We are dedicated to delivering personalized, high-quality care that goes beyond medical treatment. Our exceptional vascular staff, boasting extensive experience in vascular surgery, works tirelessly to elevate the standards of patient care and contribute to your overall well-being. Visit us online or call us at 865-562-3232 to request an appointment today!
