Varicose Veins FAQs

Following are the common questions about Varicose Veins:

1. Why do varicose veins occur?
2. Are varicose veins life-threatening?
3. Where do varicose veins occur?
4. What are the common signs for which you need to consult a doctor?
5. Who should I consult for varicose veins?
6. What is the cost of varicose veins treatment?
7. What are the factors that affect the cost of the varicose veins treatment?
8. Can varicose veins be treated through medication?
9. What are the diagnostic tests for varicose veins?
10. How long does it take for the varicose veins to go away?
11. What is the most effective treatment for varicose veins?
12. What is the recovery duration post varicose veins treatment?
13. What should I eat if I have varicose veins?
14. What should I avoid if I have varicose veins?
15. Can I prevent varicose veins from developing?

Q. Why do varicose veins occur?

A. Varicose veins usually occur when the valves of the veins become damaged and weak. However, the reason for varicose veins may vary from one person to another. There are a few reasons that may cause varicose veins, such as:

• Increase in blood pressure
• Aging
• Overweight
• Standing for long hours
• Pregnancy
• Hereditary
• Sitting for a long duration of hours

Q. Are varicose veins life-threatening?

A. No. Varicose veins are not life-threatening or dangerous. However, it is always suggested to consult the doctor if you feel any odd experience or extreme pain in the affected area. In rare cases, the symptoms of varicose veins may worsen causing discomfort that may affect the quality of life.

Q. Where do varicose veins occur?

A. Varicose veins can occur anywhere on the body. However, the most common area where varicose veins generally occur is the legs. They appear on legs and arms more often than anywhere else due to varicose factors like obesity, strenuous activities, high blood pressure, or professions that require long hours of sitting and standing.

Q. What are the common signs for which you need to consult a doctor?

A. If you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms, consult a vascular specialist to seek medical advice and proper diagnosis:

• Pain in the area where varicose veins are appearing
• Discomfort in legs while walking
• Itchy feeling at the affected area
• Pain while standing for sometime
• Discoloration of skin at the affected area
• Extreme cramping in the limbs
• Burning sensation in the veins
• If the veins started appearing enlarged and dark purple or blue in color
• Throbbing and heat at the affected area

Q. Who should I consult for varicose veins?

A. If you are suffering from varicose veins, you should consult a vascular expert for a thorough diagnosis and get the best-suited treatment for the same. However, if you are experiencing any odd-looking symptoms, consult a nearby physician for a general check-up or contact us to book an appointment with the best vascular expert in your city.

Q. What is the cost of varicose veins treatment?

A. The average cost of the varicose veins treatment may range somewhere between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 70,000. However, the mentioned is an average range of the varicose veins treatment, which may differ from the final cost of treatment depending on factors like the type of technique used to treat varicose veins, the type of area affected by varicose veins, etc.

Q. What are the factors that affect the cost of the varicose veins treatment?

A. Some of the factors that affect the final cost of varicose veins treatment are:

• General fees of the consultation
• The type of treatment you are undergoing
• The expertise of the doctor
• The severity of the treatment
• The locality of the hospital
• The type of room at the hospital you are staying
• Medication prescribed by the doctor during the treatment
• Diagnostic tests one needs to get during the treatment
• Number of follow up consultations post-treatment

Q. Can varicose veins be treated through medication?

A. There are no specific medications that can cure varicose veins in the body. According to the doctors, there are some drugs available at the pharmacy and usually given on prescriptions in order to promote the blood flow in the veins. Any over-the-counter medication can cause side effects or an irreversible effect on the body. It is highly advisable to consult the doctor before taking any medicines on your own to avoid any complications. Vascular experts suggest that a healthy lifestyle and a good diet can reduce the symptoms of varicose veins.

Q. What are the diagnostic tests for varicose veins?

A. The doctor would conduct a physical examination to evaluate the condition of varicose veins. During the physical examination, the doctor will touch the affected area to check the tenderness and swelling. The specialist will ask you to describe the symptoms, like the intensity of pain or cramping at the varicose veins area. There is a possibility the doctor will recommend a few diagnostic tests to detect the severity of the varicose veins:

• Doppler (Duplex) ultrasound
• Trendelenburg test
• Perthe test
• Peripheral vascular examination

Q. How long does it take for the varicose veins to go away?

A. According to vascular experts, varicose veins generally do not go away on their own. There is a possibility that they may disappear or become less visible in due time, but they are likely to return, including their symptoms. In addition, the individual’s changed lifestyle and dietary plan can result in reducing the painful symptoms of varicose veins, and at times, the appearance of varicose veins fades away for a while.

Q. What is the most effective treatment for varicose veins?

A. Laser is minimally invasive and the most effective treatment for varicose veins. However, the doctor will diagnose the severity of the varicose veins. The complexity of the condition may differ from one person to another, including the area affected by it. After thoroughly diagnosing the condition, the expert will suggest a best-suited treatment for varicose veins. Some of the treatments that are performed to treat varicose veins are:

• Sclerotherapy
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Endovenous laser therapy ablation
• Vein litigation and stripping
• Transilluminated powered phlebectomy

Q. What is the recovery duration post varicose veins treatment?

A. The recovery duration post varicose veins treatment may take one to four weeks. The doctor will recommend a few medications to manage the discomfort and to soothe the recovery duration. To promote faster recovery, the doctor may recommend a few tips like avoiding strenuous activities, eating fiber-rich food in order to avoid constipation, etc. There is a possibility that the recovery duration may vary depending on several factors such as:

• The type of treatment one has undergone for varicose veins
• The healing capability of an individual
• Age of the patient
• The type of profession one is into

Q. What should I eat if I have varicose veins?

A. The vascular experts suggest that eating a healthy diet and maintaining regular physical activities can help varicose veins. There are a few food items that may help during varicose veins to reduce the discomfort and pain of the symptoms caused by the affected veins:

• Watercress
• Avocados
• Foods that are high in rutin
• Blackberries
• Apricots
• Cherries
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Rosemary
• Ginger

Q. What should I avoid if I have varicose veins?

A. One must avoid certain things if suffering from varicose veins because, at times, being carless can make the condition worse, causing severe complications that may be irreversible after a point. A few things an individual may avoid if they have varicose veins:

• Excessive salt and sodium
• Heavy weight lifting
• Fried foods

Avoid sitting and standing for a long duration of hours

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Refrain from smoking
• High amount of sugar
• Refined carbohydrates

Q. Can I prevent varicose veins from developing?

A. There are some home remedies that may help you prevent varicose veins from developing and progressing. In addition, these remedies may reduce the symptoms of varicose veins like pain, discomfort, discoloration, cramping, etc. A few of the tips one should follow:

• Do regular exercises such as swimming, cycling, yoga, or walking to promote blood circulation in the body.
• Add dry fruits, fiber-rich foods, leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lentils, and beans to your diet plan
• Eating more food items that include flavonoids like garlic, bell peppers, broccoli, and cocoa can improve blood circulation in the affected area
• Do not wear tight-fitting clothes that can restrict the blood flow
• Try to wear flat sole shoes or slippers as compared to high heels in order to eliminate the chances of varicose veins
• You can use some essential oil with a carrier oil to gently massage the affected area to reduce the discoloration, itching, and swelling
• Avoid sitting and standing for long hours, try changing your position and move more frequently to enhance circulation in limbs