Varicose veins are pretty common skin conditions which many people experience. Some veins are small and inconsequential whereas others are large and troublesome. No matter which category your varicose veins fall within, you may be interested in treating them and making them a thing of the past. You may also wonder, “What are varicose veins causes and treatments?” Read on to learn more.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins which often become twisted. They can occur anywhere on your body, but you’ll often find them on your legs. Most people just find that their varicose veins are not favorable for cosmetic reasons. However, sometimes varicose veins can lead to larger health problems, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on them.
How Did I Get Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins can occur due to weak or damaged valves, which causes blood to flow backwards and pool in the vein. This will cause the veins to stretch and twist, which makes them become more visible to those around you. Some things which may increase your chances of getting varicose veins include the following:
- Age: The older you are, the more likely you are to have varicose veins develop.
- Gender: Women are more likely to have varicose veins than men, although men can get varicose veins, too.
- Pregnancy: Varicose veins can develop during pregnancy due to the increase of volume of blood in the body.
- Family history: You may have a predisposition to getting varicose veins.
- Obesity: Being overweight is something which can put added pressure on the veins.
- Standing and Sitting: When you stand or sit continually for too long, the blood doesn’t flow as well as it should and you can develop varicose veins as a result of this.
Causes and Treatments for Varicose Veins
As mentioned above, varicose veins can pop up on their own, but they may have a little bit of help from you if you are overweight, stand or sit continually too often, are older, and other aspects. Fortunately, there are ways to treat varicose veins. Some of the ways to treat varicose veins include the following:
- Compression stockings: You can try wearing compression stockings to get the blood flow moving.
- Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected into the vein and it works to scar and close the veins. You should see improvement a few weeks post-procedure.
- Laser treatment: Laser treatment is non-invasive as it works on the outside of the skin. Small bursts of light are directed at the vein to get the vein to disappear.
- High ligation and vein stripping: The vein is tied off and removed via small incisions.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy: Smaller varicose veins are removed through tiny skin punctures.
These are a few of the treatment methods which might be recommended for your varicose vein removal.
Dr. Norman Chideckel in New York City Can Help
If you’ve been worried about your varicose veins and searching for a solution, NYC Vascular Specialist Dr. Norman Chideckel can help. He is highly experienced in all areas regarding veins and vein treatment and vascular health. Dr. Chideckel will help you to find a treatment which fits your needs.
Contact Dr. Chideckel for a consultation today and start treating your varicose veins with ease.