Healthy legs without varicose veins

Varicose veins are permanent, abnormal vein dilatations.
Not only are they anti-aesthetic, but they may make your legs feel tired, create swelling, itching, heat, burning sensations and also provoke pain.

These symptoms are much more marked during the development process than when the pathology is already completely installed.
The objective of the specialist is to prevent the appearance of the varicose veins and their complications, relieve the symptoms, impair their progression, improve their physical aspect and treat the complications.

 

Causes and Prevention

Varicose veins originate as a consequence of weak venous walls, a condition which is probably hereditary, where the veins lose elasticity, stretch and become longer and wider. Since the space they occupy remains the same, the veins begin to gnarl and fold which swells the skin and produces a bulging aspect.
Under these circumstances there are certain situations which add work to the veins of the inferior members, which rapidly generate the appearance of varicose veins.

 

Health Recommendations

• Maintain your weight within the normal limits.
• Avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
• PERIODIC checkup with a vascular surgeon.
• Avoid excessive heat sources such as hot wax for hair removal procedures, heating at leg height, very hot baths, prolonged exposure to the sun in an immobile position.
• Do not use tight garments, belts or garters.
• Wear loose, comfortable shoes, with no more than  1 to 1½ inch heels.
• During the work day or on long trips, stand up frequently or take short walks.
• Practice exercise, light gym, yoga, etc.
• Wear elastic stockings with graduated compression, recommended by a doctor. (By using these stockings the stress on the vein walls is reduced and the functioning of the venous valves is improved).
• Avoid constipation by implementing a diet rich in whole grains and fibers.
• Avoid retaining liquids by eating foods rich in potassium such as: bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, which help to regulate the metabolizing of liquids through their diuretic effect.
• Consume abundant food rich in vitamiin C which aids in maintaining the vascular walls strong, given that it contributes to the formation of collagen.
• During the last three months of pregnancy, it is very common to hear future mothers complaining about retaining liquid as well as heaviness and slight pain in the legs. If varicose veins already existed prior to the pregnancy, there may be a worsening as well as an increase in the complications during the development of the pregnancy. For this reason it is extremely important to consult a specialist.

Treatments

There exists a wide range of treatments which can be employed, depending on the specific case.

Esclerotherapy
It involves the injecting of different medicaments in order to annul the vein.

Transdermic laser
It is used for spider veins as well as small veins in the face and inferior members to treat skin angiomas and blotches on the skin.

Intravascular laser
It is used to treat the veins from the inside with optical fibers.

Surgery
Both large and small varicose veins are treated by means of small incisions carried out with different instruments.

Microsurgery
It consists of making small incisions of from 1.5 to 2.5 mm. in order to treat varicose veins of medium calibre.