Varicose Veins – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
A medical provider usually checks for varicose veins during a physical exam. They look at the legs while you’re standing, searching for enlarged, twisted veins and any swelling or skin discoloration.
They’ll also ask about symptoms like aching, itching, or tiredness in your lower legs to help with the evaluation.
| Symptom | What Provider Checks For |
|---|---|
| Leg swelling | Fluid retention or edema |
| Achy or heavy feeling | Localized or widespread discomfort |
| Itching or skin changes | Stasis eczema, pigmentation changes |
| Swollen veins | Dilated, visible, twisted veins |
For a closer look, providers often use a Doppler ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to show how blood moves through your veins and checks whether the vein valves work as they should.
It also helps spot venous insufficiency, blood clots, and how much reflux or pressure has built up.
Treatment
You can often ease discomfort and slow down varicose veins with some simple actions at home. Regular exercise, keeping your legs up when you can, and wearing supportive socks go a long way.
Some individuals try herbal options like horse chestnut seed extract for swelling, but honestly, results seem mixed. Many people say these habits help with minor symptoms like aching, heaviness, or mild swelling.
If your veins are really painful or severe, you’ll probably need more than home care.
Supportive Hosiery
Compression stockings, those elastic support socks, are the first thing many people try for varicose veins. They gently squeeze your legs to help veins and muscles push blood upward.
You’ll find different strengths, lengths, and fits. Some individuals grab a pair at the pharmacy, but sometimes you need a prescription for stronger ones.
Typical benefits include:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Less swelling | Helps control leg swelling and fatigue. |
| Symptom relief | Eases pain, heaviness, or throbbing. |
| Slows progression | May stop veins from getting worse. |
Wearing the right size and putting them on properly really makes a difference.
Medical Treatments and Procedures
If home care and stockings don’t work, several targeted treatments can close off or remove problem veins. You usually don’t need to stay in the hospital overnight for these.
Common medical options include:
| Treatment Method | Main Approach | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Sclerotherapy | Injection of solution/foam | Small to medium veins |
| Laser Treatment | Light closes the vein | Small-to-medium veins |
| Endovenous Thermal/RF | Catheter-delivered heat | Large veins |
| Ligation and Stripping | Surgical removal | Large/symptomatic veins |
| Ambulatory Phlebectomy | Small skin punctures | Surface veins |
Vein Injections (Sclerotherapy): The doctor injects a medicine, like sodium tetradecyl sulfate, into the vein. This makes it scar and close. The vein fades over time, though sometimes you need a repeat treatment.
Light-Based Treatment (Laser Therapy): Strong light bursts seal the vein gradually. No incisions or needles here. People often call this endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) or endovenous laser ablation, and it’s good for small or medium veins.
Heat-Based Procedures (Thermal or Radiofrequency Ablation): For larger veins, a doctor places a thin tube inside the vein. Heat from laser or radiofrequency closes the vessel from the inside. You might hear this called endovenous thermal ablation or radiofrequency ablation.
- Surgical Options:
- Ligation and Vein Stripping: The surgeon ties off (ligates) and removes (strips) the larger vein through small cuts.
- Micro-Removal (Ambulatory Phlebectomy): Small veins get taken out through tiny skin punctures. Only the area around the vein gets numbed.
Most people go home the same day, and you won’t need a long recovery. Your other healthy veins will carry the blood after treatment. The best treatment depends on vein size, where they are, and your symptoms.
Lifestyle and Home Care Tips
A few simple habits can help you manage varicose veins. Regular physical activity—even just walking—gets blood moving in your legs. Movement keeps your circulation steady and can lower discomfort for some individuals.
Keeping a healthy weight takes pressure off your leg veins. Eating a balanced diet and going easy on salt can help prevent swelling from water retention.
Here’s a quick table of lifestyle tips for relief:
| Helpful Habit | Description |
|---|---|
| Exercise | Walking, gentle workouts |
| Weight loss | Healthy weight takes stress off veins |
| Raise legs | Use pillows or elevate bed foot for a break |
| Wear low-heeled shoes | Supports calf muscles and blood flow |
| Loose clothing | Avoid tight clothes on waist, legs, groin |
| Change positions often | Don’t sit or stand for too long |
Compression stockings often help by supporting veins from the outside. Comfortable clothes and shoes—especially low heels—make a difference.
Raising your legs above heart level and taking movement breaks each day also helps your veins work better.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Getting ready in advance makes your appointment smoother. Try these steps:
- Write down all your symptoms, even ones that don’t seem related—like skin changes or odd discomfort.
- Note health details that might matter, like family history, pregnancy, or constipation issues.
- List out all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you take.
- Prepare questions, such as:
- What could be causing these symptoms?
- Are there other possible reasons besides varicose veins?
- What tests will you run, if any?
- Which treatments do you recommend for my case?
- Are there lifestyle changes I should try, especially if I have obesity, heart issues, or chronic constipation?
- What activities should I avoid?
Using a table for your notes can keep things organized:
| Information to Prepare | Details to Bring |
|---|---|
| Symptoms and Onset | Describe fully |
| Family and Personal Health | Include genetics, female sex, age |
| Medication and Supplements | Name and dose |
| Questions for Provider | List in advance |
What the Specialist Will Want to Discuss
During your visit, the provider may:
- Ask when you first noticed the veins or symptoms.
- Find out if you have pain and how much it affects your daily life.
- Ask what helps or makes symptoms worse.
- Review risk factors like age, obesity, long hours standing, or family history.
- Examine your legs and feet, looking for skin changes, swelling, or sores.
Taking Care of Yourself Before the Appointment
Before you see a professional, try to:
Move around regularly instead of standing or sitting in one spot for too long.
Prop up your legs during the day to help with swelling.
Choose shoes that fit well. Only use tight socks or compression stockings if your doctor says so.
Eat a balanced diet and keep active. This matters even more if you’ve dealt with heart problems, constipation, or weight gain.
If you’re pregnant or often have constipation, mention it to your doctor. These things can impact your veins.
Even small changes might make you feel a bit better while you wait for expert advice.
