Abnormal veins are more common in women. There are several contributing factors to spider and varicose veins, including age and heredity.
Hormones can contribute, too. Hormonal factors such as pregnancy, puberty, menopause, the use of birth control and postmenopausal hormonal replacement are all factors that make you more prone to varicose veins.
Your occupation may predispose you to abnormal veins. Sitting or standing all day can contribute to varicose veins. Crossing your legs for long periods also impedes blood flow.
Spider veins can be found on the face, not just the legs. While varicose veins are usually found in the legs, spider veins can be found on both the legs and face.
Compression stockings can help with the discomfort. There is a wide variety of support hose that applies continuous pressure to help with circulation. This helps lessen the swelling in your lower legs and reduces the risk of developing a blood clot.
Lifestyle changes can improve symptoms. In addition to wearing compression stockings, losing any excess weight, following a low-salt diet, walking regularly and taking care of your skin can all help improve your vein health.
Treatment ranges from self-care to minimally invasive treatments. You have a variety of treatment options when it comes to spider and varicose veins. The doctor may begin with simple things you can do to improve your circulation such as exercise and elevating your legs. If your varicose veins are painful and inflamed, you can get fast-acting treatments such as radiofrequency ablation to help relieve symptoms.
Not all abnormal veins cause discomfort. Not all patients who have varicose veins need treatment as many people don’t have pain. Often, they will seek removal for cosmetic reasons.
Spider veins can be removed with quick treatment. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure involves an injection of a solution into the vein, which is an effective technique that collapses the spider vein, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins.
To learn about your options for treating spider and varicose veins, contact our office today at (623) 258-3255 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zakhary.
