Varicose Veins

Questions to Ask the Doctor

• What are treatment options for treating varicose veins?
  
  
• How helpful are Ted hose stockings in preventing or treating varicose veins? How long do these stockings need to be worn?
  
  
• How long does one have to wear stockings?
  
  
• What medications, if any, are available to treat varicose veins?
  
  
• What precautions should one take during pregnancy?

Exams and Tests

Making the diagnosis of varicose veins is a relatively easy task. They are easy to identify just by their characteristic appearance on physical examination.

Your health care provider most likely will take a thorough medical history and examination looking not only for the extent of your varicose veins, but also for potential risk factors.

• He or she may do any of several simple tourniquet tests to identify points of reverse blood flow. The simplest test uses only a blood pressure cuff.
  
  
• Another useful device aiding in localizing the extent of the problem is a Doppler ultrasound. This handheld device is skimmed over the surface of the leg to map out the veins and faulty valves. This device is similar to those used in pregnancy to identify the developing fetus.
  
  
• Duplex scanning, a similar but more detailed test, can also be done to rule out the presence of clots in the deeper veins.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance venography is another test performed when the Duplex scan test is unclear. This test can even look for blood clots in the deep veins.

Varicose Veins Treatment

Self-Care at Home

Treatments are available for varicose veins. Many of them are simple things you can start right now.

• Elevate your legs as much as possible. If you can take half-hour breaks during the day to rest, do it. It is important to raise your legs up above the level of your heart to get the maximum effect, and to do this for about a half-hour each time.
  
  
• Wear compression stockings (such as Ted Hose or Jobst stockings). The key is to put them on in the morning before you start walking around and before your veins become more swollen. If you try them and experience worsening pain, especially after you have been walking, remove them and see your health care provider. You may have problems with the blood supply to your legs (the arterial supply, which provides oxygen).
  
  
• If you are overweight, try to lose weight. A healthy diet high in fiber and low in fat and salt can help.
  
  
• Avoid alcohol, which can cause the veins in your legs to dilate.
  
  
• See your health care provider if you have problems such as chronic constipation, urinary retention, or chronic cough. Relieving conditions that are causing you to strain may help with the varicose veins.
  
  
• Avoid wearing tight clothing such as girdles or belts.
  
  
• Do not cross your legs when sitting.
  
  
• Walking is good exercise. It can help the muscles force the blood out of the deeper vein system.
  
  
• If you are driving on a trip or working at a desk all day, try to get up and walk around every hour or so to allow the muscles to pump the blood out of the veins.