It’s true that your spider veins are usually nothing to worry about. They are a fairly common condition that affects the limbs for various reasons. Even though they are generally not a cause for medical concern, your spider veins do run the risk of worsening, and when they do, it’s beneficial to take the necessary steps to alleviate them. Otherwise, in some caess, your spider veins can become a rather serious condition. Those whose occupations involve frequent standing or sitting and individuals who are pregnant or overweight may find that their spider veins are slowly becoming more painful and apparent. Fortunately, there are 3 things you can do to maintain and improve the health of your veins that may also help you get rid of the spider veins.
Compression Stockings
Doctors have been using compression stockings to treat spider veins for decades, and they are very effective when it comes to improving the blood flow in the legs. Quality stockings are generally prescribed by a doctor, and work by squeezing the leg so that the blood in the affected vein can travel back to the heart rather than pool in the valve. The diameter of the veins are essentially reduced in size, forcing the stagnant blood out of the vein, and relieving much of the associated pressure.
With improved blood circulation, blood clots are less likely to form and travel through the blood stream. Additionally, the blood in the veins is less likely to rupture the vein walls and leak into outside tissues, which is known to cause hyperpigmentation and skin ulcers.
Diet & Exercise
The key to creating healthy veins is to improve circulation throughout the legs. Compression stockings aid in the efficiency of blood flow by forcing blood in and out of the veins, and when combined with frequent exercise, the job of a stocking can become even easier. By increasing the amount of exercise you do on a weekly basis, you can improve circulation in your legs and keep your blood from clotting. If you spend a lot of time sitting during the day, taking regular breaks to stand up and walk could be just what your veins need to relieve the pressure placed on them. Likewise, if your daily routine involves constant movement, your legs will feel much better if you stop for a few moments during the day to sit still.
Other physical activities involve regular, low-impact workout routines that focus on your legs. Swimming and other light cardio exercises can significantly benefit your spider veins. You will also receive the added benefit of losing weight if you change your exercise routine, which is another way to combat many vein conditions. When you lose weight, less pressure is placed on the veins, making it easier for blood to flow throughout the legs.
Changing your diet can be just as important as exercise when it comes to treating vein conditions as an increase in the consumption of certain vitamins and antioxidants are known to help with inflammation caused by unhealthy veins. Both vitamins C and E increase the production of collagen and elastin in the body, which are healing agents that keep your veins strong. Foods that are rich in fiber can also prevent spider veins since they alleviate constipation – a condition shown to lead to both spider and varicose veins over time. Fruits and vegetables can also improve spider veins, particularly those that contain bioflavonoids, which are known to strengthen vein walls and keep them from rupturing. Foods like blueberries, beets and asparagus can aid in protecting the veins from further damage.
Sclerotherapy
When necessary, receiving treatment from a medical professional is recommended in combination with diet and exercise. At Canada Vein Clinics, we provide multiple treatment options for vein conditions in various stages. When it comes to spider veins, we often suggest Sclerotherapy as a treatment option since it targets smaller veins that are closer to the surface of the skin. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the injection of a salt solution into the spider vein. The solution irritates the vein and causes it to collapse, forcing the blood to travel through healthier veins. The destroyed vein is then absorbed into the leg. Sclerotherapy is beneficial for those who have spider veins that are either not fully developed or too thin to respond to laser treatment. It also causes minimal discomfort and involves no downtime afterwards.
Depending on the number of spider veins on the leg, along with their depth and location, multiple Sclerotherapy sessions may be recommended. If you have a health condition within your larger veins, like varicose veins, then Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) or Mini-Phlebecomy may be recommended. It is possible for you to have both spider veins and varicose veins simultaneously, in which case a combination of treatments will be used to restore their health. If you would like more information about what you can do to keep your veins healthy or if you are interested in receiving treatment for your varicose or spider veins, please contact Canada Vein Clinics at 888-876-8346 and schedule a consultation.
