Painful swelling, bulging varicose veins, potentially dangerous blood clots… these and many other forms of vein disease can have a profoundly negative impact on your life. While minimally invasive procedures such as endovenous laser treatment can help address these issues, some people prefer to pursue alternative treatments for vein problems. Dr. Ramon Castro encourages patients to consider making lifestyle changes as an alternative to treatment. While these changes may not get rid of varicose veins completely, they will help slow them down and keep new ones from occurring.
What alternative vein treatments should Illinois patients know about?
If you are thinking about making lifestyle changes to address vein problems, it can be helpful to understand what factors you can and cannot change. Vein issues can be caused by elements you have no control over, including your age and your family history. If you are older or have a family history of vein issues, you are at a higher risk of experiencing problems yourself. Be especially diligent with the lifestyle changes you make to help improve your chances.
One of the leading preventable causes of varicose veins and spider veins is sitting or standing in the same position for an extended period of time. This can happen because your job requires you to stand for the duration of your shift or if you travel long distances by plane or car on a regular basis. If you are in this position, get up and walk around on a regular basis. If this is not possible, even moving your legs a little bit can help encourage blood movement and reduce your risk of vein problems.
Patients who undergo spider vein treatment are often encouraged to wear compression stockings after the procedure. This strategy is equally useful for people who haven’t undergone treatment. Compression stockings apply helpful pressure to the ankles and calves, encouraging blood to move back to the heart instead of pooling downwards. You can find compression stockings in most medical supply stores in sizes that fit both men and women.
Smoking is a major cause of many health issues, including certain types of vein problems. Some of the ingredients in a cigarette increase the risk of blood clots. These clots can hinder proper blood movement, potentially leading to venous insufficiency. While quitting smoking is easier said than done, doing so will lead to huge improvements in your vein health.
Finally, maintaining a healthy weight is a great alternative treatment for vein problems. Carrying excess pounds can put unnecessary strain on your veins, increasing your chance of varicose veins. By exercising regularly and sticking to a healthy diet you will likely see an improvement in your vein health.
Working with a vein center
If you are not sure about how you want to address your vein problems or if you would like to learn more about alternative treatments, working with a spider vein center can help you find the information you need. Here at the Chicago Vein Care Center we can help diagnose the vein problems you are experiencing and guide you on your way to the right treatment. If you would like to learn more about what our vein center can do for you, give our Chicago, IL offices a call. We look forward to hearing from you!