Healthy Legs are Beautiful: Treating Spider & Varicose veins

Healthy Legs are Beautiful: Treating Spider & Varicose veins

According to Dr. Aditya Rachakonda, a vascular surgeon at Northern Westchester Hospital, vein abnormalities, such as varicose veins or spider veins, can occur at any age. But once you have them, they tend to get progressively worse.

Dr. Aditya Rachakonda

Both are caused by a defect in the valves in your veins.  “Your arteries supply blood from your heart to your entire body,” he explained. “Normally, as blood in the legs returns to the heart through your veins, the blood pushes through one-way valves, something like one-way swinging doors, which prevent it from flowing backward. Sometimes, a defect in the valves cause a backflow of blood in your veins.” The result? Spider and varicose veins.

Do they hurt? Are they dangerous?

Although spider veins may cause discomfort in your legs, they are a cosmetic issue, Dr. Rachakonda told us. “Varicose veins, however, are more likely to cause noticeable symptoms such as heaviness, weakness, burning, throbbing or itchiness on the leg. They can also cause considerable pain due to inflammation.” He recommends seeing your primary physician at the first sign of symptoms. When treated early, you will likely experience less pain.

If you are diagnosed with a vein abnormality…

Dr, Rachakonda outlined some non-surgical remedies that can help lessen the symptoms for patients to consider when they are first diagnosed with a vein abnormality. He told us that something as simple as compression garments are often the first step. Though they won’t make vein abnormalities disappear, they squeeze the leg and reduce the amount of blood and pressure in the veins. This can slow or stabilize the worsening of painful conditions.

Get your Fit-Bits Ready

As a first line of prevention, Dr. Rachakonda stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise. Being overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle – sitting or standing most of the day – puts more pressure on your leg veins and significant swelling can occur in patients who don’t move around. “So, count your steps and keep your body moving throughout the day,” he told us.

If your symptoms don’t improve…

If your symptoms have not improved with compression treatment and exercise, Dr. Rachakonda suggests stepping up your treatments with a number of same-day, office-based, non-surgical treatments such as sclerotherapy or radiofrequency ablation (RFA, that may be beneficial.

“The goal of both treatments is to eliminate blood flow into abnormal veins, therefore reducing or eliminating the symptoms caused by them. These treatments can help varicose and spider veins eventually disappear,” he said.

What happens if non-surgical methods fail and patients continue to experience persistent varicose veins? “We can do a minimally invasive procedure called a phlebectomy. During this procedure, patients are given a local anesthetic and varicose veins are removed through tiny incisions.” According to Dr. Rachakonda, following a phlebectomy, you will wear compression stockings for two to three weeks. And you should be able to resume regular daily activities within a day or two.

Reduce your risk

Dr. Rachakonda also shared this checklist with us that outlines the best ways to reduce the risk of ever getting vein abnormalities.

– If you smoke, stop immediately. The toxins in cigarettes cause the body’s arteries to narrow and harden, increasing the risk for spider veins, varicose veins, blood clots and other vein diseases. Quitting smoking greatly reduces these risks.

– Exercising regularly is one of the best things you can do to keep your leg muscles toned and improve the blood flow in your limbs. It also lowers the chance of inflammation.

– If you’re overweight, make an effort to lose weight. Overweight people are more likely to develop varicose veins, as excess weight puts more pressure on your veins and can contribute to inflammation or reflux of blood flow.

– Eat more fresh foods that are high in fiber and enjoy an abundance of fruits and vegetables.

Learn more about Treatments for Vein Abnormalities and Vein Problems at Northern Westchester Hospital

Learn more about Vascular Surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital