{"id":11895,"date":"2023-04-12T12:00:47","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T12:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/?p=11895"},"modified":"2023-04-20T20:44:47","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T20:44:47","slug":"are-varicose-veins-holding-you-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2023\/04\/12\/are-varicose-veins-holding-you-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Need Treatment for Your Varicose Veins?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As many as 40 million Americans have varicose veins, which are swollen veins that can be seen through the skin. Varicose veins are more common in women and often appear blue, bulging, and twisted. If left untreated, varicose veins may worsen over time.<\/p>\n

\u201cVaricose veins are more than just a cosmetic problem,\u201d says Joseph V. Lombardi, MD, FACS<\/a>, Head, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery<\/a> at Cooper University Health Care<\/a>. \u201cThey can affect your quality of life and also lead to serious issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

Symptoms and Risk Factors<\/h3>\n

Factors that can increase the risk of varicose veins include having a family history of varicose veins, being overweight, not exercising enough, smoking, and standing or sitting for long periods. Another cause can be having deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body. Pregnant women also have an increased risk of varicose veins, but the veins often return to normal within one year after childbirth.<\/p>\n

Varicose veins cause the legs to feel heavy, tired, restless, or achy. Standing or sitting for too long may worsen these symptoms. Night cramps also may occur. Varicose veins can cause skin changes, such as rashes, redness, and sores. Severe varicose veins can lead to slightly increased chances of DVT, which may cause sudden, severe leg swelling and requires immediate medical attention.<\/p>\n

For those with mild to moderate varicose veins, elevating the legs can help to reduce swelling and relieve other symptoms. You can try to elevate your legs above your heart three or four times a day for about 15 minutes at a time. People who need to stand for a long period can flex their legs occasionally to help keep blood moving toward the heart.<\/p>\n

Compression stockings can be used to ease the pain of varicose veins. The stockings squeeze the legs, helping the veins and leg muscles to move blood more efficiently. For many patients, compression stockings can effectively treat varicose veins, and no other treatments are necessary.<\/p>\n

Advanced Treatment Options Available at Cooper<\/h3>\n

Once you experience varicose veins, they do not go away on their own. Treatment is necessary to relieve symptoms and reduce their appearance.<\/p>\n

\u201cCooper offers a number of minimally invasive procedures to address varicose and spider veins,\u201d Dr. Lombardi says. \u201cMost patients are back on their feet in as little as a day or two, and they can resume normal activities within a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Treatment options include:<\/p>\n