A Person Can Develop Varicose Veins

Your damaged veins in legs carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to different parts of your body, and deoxygenated blood back toward the heart. The system works well, but sometimes problems develop that damage the vessels and cause symptoms like spider veins or varicose veins. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to take medication or have a minimally invasive procedure to treat it.

Vein damage often appears on the legs and is characterized by pain, heaviness, and swelling. The condition typically gets worse after prolonged periods of sitting or standing, and it can affect your quality of life. You can prevent these symptoms from getting worse by avoiding long periods of sitting or standing still and elevating your feet when possible. If you have symptoms, you should see a vein specialist for treatment right away.

A person can develop varicose veins when the valves that control blood flow in the veins malfunction or weaken. This happens as the walls of the veins become stretched, less elastic, and weakened by the buildup of pressure on the veins' inner surface. This is particularly common in the veins farthest from the heart, such as those in your legs. The increased pressure on the veins can cause them to enlarge, and they can appear as twisted, tangled, or knotted ropes under the skin's surface.

You can prevent varicose veins by wearing compression stockings, and by changing your lifestyle habits. Avoiding long periods of sitting or standing can help, but if that isn't possible, try to raise your feet above your head while you are sitting and at the end of the day. This will improve blood flow and reduce your risk of developing varicose veins and other issues.

You should also wear loose clothing, especially pants, to help promote circulation in your legs. You can also use topical creams and other medications to support healthy veins. These include anti-inflammatories and blood thinners, which can help reduce pain and decrease your risk of a blood clot.

Occasionally, when lifestyle changes and medications don't provide relief, vein doctors can use laser treatments or sclerotherapy to manually repair damaged veins. These procedures involve a small injection of salt water (saline), a chemical solution, or foam into the vein. They then close off the affected vein, which hardens and eventually disappears. For a more invasive option, your doctor may recommend phlebectomy, which involves making small surgical cuts in your leg and using a wire to pull out the damaged vein.

If you have painful, swollen, or discolored leg veins, contact us for a vein screening in Kansas City, Missouri, today. A vascular surgeon can determine the severity of your vein damage and recommend the best treatment for you. Our goal is to provide you with high-quality care and get your legs feeling better as quickly as possible. We offer our services at several locations in the greater Kansas City area, including Lee's Summit, North Kansas City, and Liberty.