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- Only a surgical procedure or sclerotherapy (injection of a special solution to shrink the vein) can eliminate varicose veins.
Varicose veins are distended, bulging blood vessels that are typically located on the inside of the legs and the back of the calf. Many older adults are embarrassed to show their legs because of varicose veins or smaller dilated capillaries (spider veins) that lie closer to the skin surface, thinking that they are unsightly. Though some spider veins and varicose veins pose primarily a cosmetic problem, they can also cause severe leg discomfort with symptoms such as burning, swelling, cramping, and leg fatigue. More serious problems, such as blood clots, may also occur if varicose veins are left untreated.
Although certain predisposing factors for varicose veins such as age, heredity, and gender cannot be changed, you can take several practical steps to help reduce your risk for varicose veins:
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Exercise regularly, including walking, jogging, bicycling, and swimming, to improve blood circulation in your legs and help prevent pooling.
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Reduce your weight if you are overweight.
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Wear low-heeled shoes and avoid tight-fitting clothes.
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Elevate your legs above your heart several times a day by lying on your back and resting your feet on some pillows.
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Avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing, and move your legs frequently.
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Periodically flex your ankles to help pump blood out of the legs.
All of these measures can also help keep existing spider or varicose veins from getting worse. In addition, wearing elastic support stockings, which compress the veins and help move blood more efficiently, can keep excess fluid from seeping out of the veins and pooling in the lower legs and ankles.
None of these steps, however, can eliminate varicose veins—only a surgical procedure or sclerotherapy (injection of a special solution to shrink the vein) can do that. If you are troubled by the appearance of varicose veins or spider veins or are experiencing symptoms, consult your doctor about the most appropriate treatment, which can usually be performed in a doctor’s office or a hospital outpatient setting.
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