Varicose veins are an unsightly and uncomfortable visual symptom that the veins in the leg have become compromised and are no longer pumping blood towards the heart effectively. Each leg vein contains valves that keep blood flowing upwards towards the heart, against the downward push of gravity. When the valves of a leg vein fail to meet one another as they normally do, blood pools in that area of the vein.

Some of the more unpleasant effects of varicose veins include:

• Sensitivity and pain, especially when walking or standing.
• Itchiness and discomfort directly over the vein.
• Superficial ulcers, caused by scratching the affected area.
• Dark, visible vein presence on the surface of the skin

What Can I Do to Help This Condition?

Treatments for this leg vein medical problem are similar to other medical issues regarding leg injuries – elevation to assist blood flow by mitigating gravity, compression stockings and anti-inflammatory pills such as over-the-counter ibuprofen or aspirin can also help, ensuring the faulty valves do not have to work as hard to push blood up towards the heart.

In addition to home treatment, it’s important to visit your foot doctor to be properly diagnosed and treated, especially before using medical devices, special medical clothing or taking a regimen of pills to combat the effects of this condition. Your doctor can recommend various advanced treatments, such as laser ablation therapy, if they find it is appropriate to your individual case.