Short-Term And Long-Term Treatment Options For Swollen Leg Veins

Do some of the veins in your leg appear to be swollen? They may be causing symptoms like itching and redness, and they may also look visibly swollen beneath the surface. Often, swollen veins are really varicose veins, which are veins that have suffered damage to their walls and valves over the years. There are ways to manage this swelling and the other symptoms, both in the long term and in the short term.

Elevate Your Legs

Lay down on your couch, and put a few pillows under your feet. Rest your feet on those pillows. This will elevate your legs above the level of your heart, which will encourage the excess blood to drain out of your swollen veins and out of the swollen tissues around your veins. Do this for a half hour or so. Try to make it a habit. Some people like to elevate their feet every night when they watch TV. Others do it as a way to take a break and address swelling mid-day.

Wear Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are basically tight stockings. They put pressure on your legs and the veins within your legs, which helps ease swelling. If you have swollen veins in your lower legs, you really only need compression socks that come up to your knees. If you have swollen veins in your upper legs, whole-leg stockings may be more suitable. Some people wear them every day, while others only put them on when they notice the swelling getting bothersome.

Laser Treatment

If elevating your legs and wearing compression stockings is not cutting it, then you should see a doctor. They may recommend laser treatment to cut off blood flow to the veins that are the most affected. Your body will reabsorb this vein tissue and re-route the blood through the veins that remain. This is a less-invasive alternative to vein removal surgery.

Vein Removal Surgery

If the veins in question are really deep, or if they are larger veins, your doctor may recommend vein removal surgery instead of laser vein treatment. The swollen veins can be stripped away permanently, which should put an end to the swelling and the symptoms that come with it.

Swollen legs veins can be quite a nuisance. Luckily, there are ways that you can manage the swelling and the related symptoms. Talk to your doctor to learn more about the management and treatment options above. 

For more info, contact a local company like the Center For Advanced Vein Care.