Varicose Veins

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Varicose (VAR-i-kos) veins are veins that are enlarged, twisted, and swollen. Veins are blood vessels that bring blood from your body back to your heart. Veins have valves (stoppers) that open and close to keep the blood flowing in one direction. Varicose veins are often seen in the legs, but may occur in other parts of the body. If the valves in the veins do not work properly, blood may not flow toward the heart. This increases pressure in the vein causing it to stretch, enlarge, swell, and become twisted. Varicose veins are commonly seen in the aged, pregnant women, smokers, and those who are overweight. Standing or sitting for long periods of time may varicose veins worse.
  
  
• You may see bluish or purplish, snake-like veins under your skin that may bulge. Leg pain, swelling, a feeling of heaviness, and muscle cramps may also be present. Varicose veins, particularly of the legs, may be diagnosed through a physical exam. A test called a doppler ultrasound or duplex scan may be done. Treatment aims to decrease symptoms, improve appearance, and prevent further problems. This may include some changes in lifestyle, use of pressure stockings, or through other procedures. With treatment, more serious problems of varicose veins may be prevented and your quality of life improved.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Activity:

• Choosing clothing and shoes: Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. Do not wear clothes that are tight around the waist, such as girdles, garters, or pantyhose with tight elastic tops.
  
  
• Exercise: Exercise regularly. Doing ankle bends for about 30 minutes each day may help. Doing ankle bends as much as possible may also help if you sit or stand for long periods of time. Ask your caregiver how to do ankle bends.
  
  
• Elevate your legs: Put your feet up above the level of your heart for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day. This will help blood to flow back to the heart.
  
  
• Maintain a healthy weight: Talk to your caregiver about your ideal body weight. Weighing too much can make your heart work harder and can make varicose vein worse. Ask your caregiver about a weight loss plan if you are overweight.
  
  
• Quit smoking: It is never too late to quit smoking. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
  
  
• Stay off your feet: Move your legs as much as possible. Standing for long periods of time can cause the blood to pool (collect) in your legs. This means that the blood collects and stays down in your legs for a long time before returning to your heart. Also, do not sit in the same position for long periods of time. Every hour, try to walk around a few minutes. A short walk gets the blood moving in your legs.

Compression stockings: Your caregiver may advise you to wear compression stockings. These are tight elastic stockings that put pressure on your legs. The pressure is highest in the toe and decreases as it goes towards the thighs. Wearing pressure stockings help push blood back up to the heart and keeps clots from forming. Ask your caregiver for more information on using compression stockings.

Wound care: Your caregiver may ask you to clean your wound daily. If you get a cut in the skin over the vein and the vein bleeds, lie down with your leg raised. Press on the cut with a clean cloth until it stops bleeding. Ask your caregiver for more information on how to take care of your wound.

For more information: Having varicose veins may be hard for you. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• LEGS FOR LIFE®
  Web Address: www.legsforlife.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have new symptoms since the last time you visited your caregiver.
  
  
• Your skin has a rash.
  
  
• Your symptoms keep you from doing your daily activities.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a wound that does not heal or is infected.
  
  
• You have redness or a hard swelling in your leg.
  
  
• You have pain in your leg that does not go away or gets worse.
  
  
• You notice that your legs or feet are turning blue or black.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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