Getting rid of varicose veins is easier than you may think, even if you’re not going the medical treatment route.
Varicose veins affect around 35% of people in the U.S. Don’t become a part of this statistic—read on to find out how you can take vein health back into your own hands.
Learning how to get rid of varicose veins starts with knowing exactly what they are. Varicose veins are superficial, gnarled veins that protrude from the skin. Typically, they’re darker than other veins and are common in legs and feet.
Weakened or damaged valves cause varicose veins. This is what happens: the valves can’t properly transport blood throughout your veins, so the blood stays pooled in your veins. As time passes the blood pools up and darkens, causing the characteristics of gnarled, blueish varicose veins on legs.
Causes and risk factors of varicose veins include:
Not to be confused with varicose veins, spider veins are also a cause of blood pooling near your skin’s surface. They get their name from their thin, spider-like appearance. They’re different than varicose veins because they tend to be less enlarged and swollen—and they’re typically harmless. For most people, spider veins are simply a cosmetic concern.
If you have spider veins and would like to get rid of them, sclerotherapy is a popular, quick treatment option.
The top two reasons people want to rid themselves of varicose veins are because
a.) it’s a cosmetic issue that bothers them and,
b.) it’s threatening their health.
Many people get treatment for varicose veins because they want to show their legs off again! It can be hard to enjoy yourself and wear the shorts or skirt you want while worrying about what others think of your legs.
Varicose veins start off as a cosmetic issue but can develop into a potentially life-threatening issue. If left untreated and worsening, varicose veins can put you at significantly increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and chronic venous insufficiency. This is when blood clots form in your veins and can run the risk of traveling throughout your system to your lungs. DVT is can be life-threatening. People with varicose veins are five times more likely to develop DVT, so if you notice varicose veins, it’s best to talk to a doctor about treatment.
Not sure if you have varicose veins? Here are some tell-tale signs:
If you have varicose veins, don’t worry—they’re usually treatable in less than a day and may even be covered under insurance. Here’s the best route to go for varicose vein treatment:
First things first, find an IAC-accredited vein clinic with stellar reviews to schedule a vein screening at. During your screening, your vein specialists will map your veins using ultrasound. This allows them to see where your varicose veins are and what the best treatment route for you may be.
Treatment varies on a case-by-case basis. The most common treatments for varicose veins are laser ablations and sclerotherapy. Your vein doctor will give you the rundown on the benefits and drawbacks of both and can help you figure out which one works best for you.
Endovenous laser ablation: If you select this treatment, your vein doctor will insert a laser fiber into your legs and use heat to close the problem vein. This allows the blood to reroute through the surrounding healthy veins. It’s minimally invasive and the doctor applies a local anesthetic so that you won’t feel a thing!
Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy is when a solution is injected into the problem vein. This allows it to scar and—similar to laser ablation—causes your blood to reroute through healthy veins. Once the varicose vein scars, it gets absorbed into your tissue and fades over time.
Both of these treatments are quick, relatively painless, and require little recovery time.
You can also try different home remedies for varicose veins that will help you manage symptoms and may improve your veins. Natural treatments include:
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Rimas Gilvydis, M.D, is the co-founder of Northern Illinois Vein Clinic (NIVC) in Rockford, Illinois, and the founder of Gilvydis Vein Clinic (GVC) in Naperville, Sycamore, and Geneva, Illinois. A board-certified interventionalist and diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine, Dr. Gilvydis has been treating varicose veins with minimally invasive techniques since they were first introduced.
Looking for a reliable place to get those varicose veins treated? Gilvydis is just the place.
At the Gilvydis Vein Clinic, our commitment is to your vascular health—not to our paychecks or schedules. We always put our patients first to ensure they get the best, customized vein treatment plan they can get. We offer the latest treatment options for varicose veins, so gone are the days of painful, long vein treatments!
Our hundreds of 5-star reviews and accolades are a testament to how much we care. We even offer free vein screenings to help you stay on top of your vein health. Get your veins back into great shape. Schedule a free screening and get started at the Gilvydis Vein Clinic today.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.