Veins are a vital part of the circulatory system responsible for carrying blood back to the heart. Unfortunately, veins are susceptible to disease or damage, such as becoming varicose and painful.
What are venous diseases?
Vascular diseases are any health conditions that result in damage to the tissues and organs of the circulatory system. These issues can vary depending on which type of vascular disease you have, but they fall under one of two categories: arterial or venous diseases. Arterial issues occur when your arteries become clogged because it prevents oxygenated blood from reaching all of your organs. This causes problems throughout the entire body, but mostly affects the heart, since it has to force blood through severely narrowed arteries.
Symptoms can include fatigue, fainting spells, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. Venous issues on the other hand involve veins failing to properly send deoxygenated blood back towards the heart. If a vein becomes blocked, it can cause blood to back up into the lower half of the body, and this leads to lumps that appear near or under the skin. Other symptoms include pain, swelling, redness in your legs, etc.
What should I do if I have a venous disease?
1. Get a referral a vein specialist
Scheduling an appointment with a doctor is an important first step as they can refer you through to the correct medical specialist so you can get the best care possible. A Phlebologist (vein specialist) will be able to diagnose your problems and give you the right treatment.
Setting realistic expectations is important in treating venous diseases because it helps you stay positive throughout your entire process. Going to a specialist will ensure that they give you the best possible treatment.
2. Do what you can to prevent your veins from getting worse
The riskiest thing you could do is ignore your vein problems, which is why it's important to take care of the problem while it’s still relatively manageable. The biggest risk factor for any sort of venous disease is high blood pressure, especially if it's uncontrolled and untreated. If more and more veins start deteriorating over time, then there will be a lot more strain on the heart because it suddenly has more work to do than ever before.
To avoid this serious problem, make sure that you schedule regular appointments with a specialist to get treatment when necessary so that you can have your veins treated before they are damaged beyond repair.
3. Follow Treatment protocols
It's important to know that treating your veins is a multifaceted process and that you will have to make some lifestyle changes for it to be effective. You may require surgery or laser treatments to repair your veins. Your phlebologist will prescribe the best treatment depending on your specific venous issue. They are also looking at other issues in addition to the veins, such as heart rate and blood pressure so that they can treat both problems at once.
Many people notice immediate results after getting their veins treated because they feel better overall because of the reduced stress on their hearts. Some people notice gradual results over time as their circulation improves or their discomfort lessens.
4. Get compression socks
It's important to get compression socks after you've had your veins treated as they can help improve circulation. Compression socks work by applying pressure to the leg, which improves blood flow back towards the heart. They are also helpful in reducing swelling, which may make walking around less of a struggle. The most important thing about getting compression socks is that they will keep your legs healthier in general because there is more oxygenated blood flowing through them on a consistent basis.
5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
It's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle after you've had your veins treated, as doing so will help keep your veins healthier for longer. The more stress on your body, the faster your veins are likely to deteriorate and cause issues or pain again. The best thing you can do is exercise regularly, helping improve circulation and strengthen muscles around the veins, so they aren't under as much pressure at all times.
6. Be aware of your risk factors
One of the biggest risk factors for developing venous insufficiency is family history. This condition tends to run in families, so if someone in your family has undergone treatment for vein issues or if they have varicose veins or spider veins, then you have a higher risk of developing a similar condition. It's important to be aware of this risk factor because it can help you get treated sooner rather than later when the problems are more difficult to manage. Other risk factors include obesity and high blood pressure, conditions that may result from a bad diet or lack of exercise, making them easier to treat or deal with before venous issues occur.
7. Stay hydrated
It's important to stay hydrated if you want to keep your veins healthy, both before and after treatment. Being well hydrated helps your blood flow more easily, reducing pressure on the walls of your veins and arteries as less pressure is required to move blood around. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help keep your heart healthy, and ensure that your blood can easily travel around your body, delivering vital nutrients to your organs.
If you are experiencing issues with your circulatory system, such as varicose veins or spider veins, you shouldn’t put off seeking help. The best thing you can do is book an appointment to see a doctor, and they will be able to refer you to a vein specialist (phlebologist) who will be able to diagnose the problem, identify the root cause and treat the problem.
If you need to schedule an appointment to see a doctor , the fastest and easiest way to search for and book healthcare appointments online is through MyHealth1st.