Controlling your varicose veins

Any veins in the body that become twisted and elongated are known as varicose veins. Veins are essentially blood vessels or elastic pipes that carry blood from the body back to the heart. Usually, varicose veins occur in the back of the knees and along the calves. For some reason women seem to more commonly affected by the problem of varicose veins.

Varicose vein problems becomes more common as the age progresses. As the body grows older, the blood vessels become more and more rigid. As a result the veins become stiff and blood circulation reduces.

Another key factor that causes varicose veins is lack of physical exercise, and long hours of inactivity. It includes sitting or standing in one position for several hours, without moving around.

A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and a generally healthy lifestyle are crucial to prevent the problem of varicose veins. To control the existing problem from aggravating further, some key changes to the lifestyle are recommended. The patient must maintain a healthy body weight, exercise regularly, wear low-heeled shoes or flat slippers, and put up the legs while resting. These activities may not cure the problem, but they will at least keep it under control.

Compression stockings are available in the market that can apply pressure on the affected areas, and help to push the blood back to the heart, and prevent the blood from clotting. In a situation where the condition of the patient is severe, such measures may not help to control the problem. In this case, the patient may have to take injections or undergo laser surgery to close the varicose veins. There are other surgical procedures to remove long veins too.

Surgery is recommended in extreme cases to control the problem, and improve the quality of life of the patient suffering from varicose veins.