When blood travels through the body, arteries transport it from the heart, and veins transport it back. Veins include valves that prevent blood from pooling and flowing back down the legs. Varicose veins occur when such valves weaken and collapse.
Varicose vein discomfort can range from nonexistent to excruciating. Leg weariness, heaviness, and edema are common symptoms. Swelling can range from little puffiness around the ankle to severe edema from knee to ankle. Swollen leg treatment is required to avoid living with persistent pain and discomfort. A houston leg swelling expert can tell you more, so talk to one today.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will perform a physical assessment on you, including looking at your legs while standing to check for edema. Your clinician may also ask you to detail any leg discomfort or soreness.
Tests
To identify varicose veins, a doctor may prescribe a venous Doppler ultrasonography of the leg. Doppler ultrasonography is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that uses sound waves to assess blood flow through vein valves. Leg ultrasonography can aid in the detection of a blood clot.
This test is performed by a healthcare provider who moves a transducer (a small hand-held device) about the size of a bar of soap over the skin across the assessed body area. The transducer transmits images of the veins in the legs to a monitor, which shows the results.
Treatments
Varicose veins can be treated with self-care approaches, lifestyle changes, compression stockings, and surgeries or procedures. Treatment for varicose veins is frequently performed as an outpatient surgery, which means you generally go home the same day.
Check with your insurance provider to determine if varicose vein treatment is covered. Insurance may not cover the cost of varicose vein treatment if the primary goal is to enhance the look of the legs for cosmetic reasons.
Self-care and lifestyle changes
Self-care measures such as lifting the legs while lying or sitting down, exercising, and wearing compression stockings can help relieve varicose vein pain and prevent them from getting worse.
Compression stockings
A common first step is to wear compression stockings all day. The stockings tighten the legs, allowing blood to circulate more effectively via veins and leg muscles. The amount of compression varies depending on the kind and brand.
Compression stockings are widely available at medical supply stores and pharmacies. If varicose veins are causing problems, prescription-strength stockings are also available and may be reimbursed by insurance.
Surgery
If compression stockings and lifestyle changes are inadequate, or if the varicose veins are severe, a doctor may recommend surgery or other treatments.
