Vein Care - Managing Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Varicose veins are close to the surface of your skin and can be enlarged, twisted, bulging and dark in color. They occur when the walls of your veins weaken and the valves that help blood flow in one direction become faulty. Over time, this causes the veins to stretch and swell. The condition isn’t harmful, but it can cause pain and discomfort for many people for more details contact Center for Advanced Vein Care.

Some people are able to manage their varicose and spider veins with self-care, but for others, a procedure can reduce the pain and improve appearance. Your healthcare provider will discuss which treatment is right for you.

Self-care strategies include elevating your legs at least twice a day, wearing elastic stockings and avoiding tight shoes or socks that put pressure on the leg veins. You can also try exercise, like brisk walking, to improve circulation and tone the calf muscles. Losing weight may also help as too much extra weight puts pressure on your veins. You should also avoid salt, as it can increase swelling and bloating.

Your doctor may recommend a simple, painless test called an ultrasound to see how your veins are working. This uses sound waves to create pictures of the tissues inside your body. The results can show how your veins are able to move blood and whether you have any blood clots.

You can also take steps to reduce your risk of varicose veins by managing your age, gender and lifestyle. Varicose veins are more common in women because of female hormones and the fact that being overweight increases stress on your veins. Having a family history of varicose veins also increases your chances of getting the condition. Increasing your activity level and eating a well-balanced diet can also reduce the pressure on your veins, especially as you get older.

If you have trouble getting relief from self-care methods, or if the veins are causing other medical problems, your doctor may recommend minimally invasive vein treatments. Your doctor will numb the area before performing these procedures, which are usually done in an outpatient setting. These treatments can include liquid or foam sclerotherapy, thermal ablation and ambulatory phlebectomy, and surgical ligation and stripping of large varicose veins.

Most insurance providers consider varicose and spider veins cosmetic and not medically necessary, so they aren’t covered by health insurance. You may be able to have these procedures paid for out-of-pocket if you need them to improve your quality of life or avoid serious complications. Your doctor can tell you if this is the case for you. Some vein doctors offer payment plans to make the procedures more affordable. They can also provide you with the paperwork you need to file a claim for reimbursement. These documents include a written description of the treatment and your medical records and test results. You should also keep a copy of these documents for your records. Your insurance company may ask for copies of these documents as well.