Do you suffer from varicose veins? Often considered a merely cosmetic issue, it’s common for patients to hold off seeking treatment. However, what many don’t realise is that varicose veins often become worse if they aren’t treated. For many men and women, venous disease will continue to progress over time, often leading to unpleasant symptoms.

Here, we’ll look at some of the most common varicose vein symptoms that could be telling you it’s time to seek advice from a varicose vein specialist.

There is a change in the aesthetics of the leg

One of the key signs it’s time to treat your varicose veins is if you start to notice aesthetic changes to the veins and/or leg. It could be that the veins have started to bulge out more, the colour of the surrounding skin has changed, or the skin may have become cracked and dry.

Any changes in the appearance of the veins or the skin should be looked into. So, keep an eye on the aesthetics and seek treatment if things do start to change.

Your legs are becoming tired and sore

Many people mistakenly think that varicose veins are just a cosmetic issue. However, they can become painful. You may find your legs start to ache and feel sore after walking. You may also notice they become a lot more tired over time.

If varicose veins are causing you any discomfort, that alone is a sign that they need to be treated.

Development of ulcers

One of the more serious complications to watch out for is the development of ulcers. These tend to occur during the more advanced stages of the condition. You’ll find they most commonly develop around the ankles and they take a long time to heal. Once you start to develop them, you’ll also find they re-occur frequently too.

These are just some of the signs it’s time to treat those varicose veins. However, even with no symptoms, it’s still important to seek treatment. This is because venous disease worsens if it isn’t treated. So, while you may not have any current symptoms, if you leave it too long, you’ll start to develop them.

There are so many great treatment options available these days, so why put up with varicose veins when they can be easily eliminated? Book a consultation today at Cornwall Vein Clinic and discover which treatment option would work best for you. Call 01872 308 520 to book an appointment.

Varicose veins are most common in the legs. However, did you know they can also occur on other parts of the body such as the hands?

If you’re suffering from varicose veins in the hands, you may be wondering how it can be treated. Unlike in the legs, it’s a little harder to cover up the hands. However, there are ways to eliminate them.

Here, you’ll discover everything you need to know about varicose veins situated within the hands and the treatment options available.

Understanding hand veins

As we age, our hands are one of the first parts of the body to show the signs. As the skin starts to lose its elasticity and become thinner, you’ll start to notice lines, discolouration and more prominent veins in the hands.

While hand veins are natural, there are times when they may be linked to an underlying condition, such as varicose veins. This is largely a cosmetic issue, although it can lead to more serious health problems if left untreated.

Symptoms of varicose veins in the hands

So, how can you tell if you have varicose veins in your hands? Well, the most obvious sign is bulging veins. If they appear larger than normal and are very prominent, it could be a symptom of varicose veins.

Varicose veins also tend to ache and swell a little. However, again this is more common in the legs. If the veins aren’t pronounced and they are simply a bluish colour under the skin, this is more likely to be a natural sign of ageing rather than varicose veins.

As there are very few symptoms associated with varicose veins in the hands, it is a good idea to undergo a consultation. A vein specialist will be able to assess the vein to determine whether venous disease is the culprit.

Treatment options available

If you are found to have varicose veins in the hands, there are numerous treatment options available. It could be as simple as undergoing injection or laser treatments. These aren’t invasive treatments and they can be carried out quickly.

The earlier you seek treatment, the less invasive it will also be. So, if you suspect you are suffering from varicose veins in the hands, we recommend booking a consultation. Once a diagnosis has been made, an effective treatment plan can be created to eliminate the issue quickly and painlessly.

Statistics vary, but some estimate that up to 80% of us make and fail to follow through on our New Year’s Resolutions, abandoning them before the end of January. However, if you’re legs are aching, feel ‘heavy’ and look less than attractive with bulging, swollen varicose veins, make 2020 the year that you seek better vein health.

A new year is an opportunity to embrace a healthier lifestyle and this can fit well with a commitment to sorting out your varicose veins. There are a number of lifestyle changes you can adopt that can help reduce the symptoms of varicose veins.

5 steps to better vein health:

1. Eat a healthy diet: certain nutrients can help keep your veins strong and elastic and so fill your plate with colourful fruit and vegetables. They are packed with bioflavonoids that have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. They diminish swelling and strengthen collagen which is the connective tissue in the vein walls.
2. Swap alcohol for water: although drinking alcohol doesn’t cause varicose veins to develop, it can make an existing vascular condition worse because excessive drinking increases your heart rate, causing blood to pump through your veins even faster. This places stress on the compromised veins in your legs. Drink water instead as it helps to improve vein health by both improving overall blood circulation and strengthening the muscles that support your veins.
3. Cut out salt: foods that are high in sodium cause the body to retain fluid which can increase trauma to your already damaged veins.
4. Get active: embracing exercise is a common New Year’s Resolution and no wonder: the health benefits are myriad. In terms of better vein health, regular exercise encourages better circulation that helps to push through any blood that has collected in the veins. It also helps to lower your blood pressure which can be another contributing factor in the development of varicose veins.
5. Quit smoking: it’s no secret that smoking is hugely damaging to your health, but it also makes you far more susceptible to developing varicose veins. Nicotine, as well as the other 7,000 plus chemicals in cigarettes, causes constriction of your veins, restricting blood flow.

Although these lifestyle changes can often help to prevent varicose veins from worsening, they do not usually address the underlying condition. If you are bothered about the cosmetic appearance of your legs or struggling with the associated symptoms, varicose vein removal no longer involves surgery and significant downtime. There are a number of procedures that are highly effective and minimally invasive. Please call 01872 308 520 to arrange a consultation at the Cornwall Vein Clinic.

Popular radio host Chris Evans has recently filmed himself getting varicose vein removal treatment. Confessing he’s usually squeamish, the star admitted during the procedure he felt calm despite just being given local anaesthetic.

Commonly, thought of as ‘female-only’ issue, varicose veins can affect men as well and, by openly talking on his radio show and This Morning about the problem, Chris brought some much-needed media attention on how common varicose veins can be. It also highlighted how easily varicose veins can be removed today and the variety of options available.

What did the presenter have done?

Evans underwent ablation where the wall of the vein is damaged, causing it to collapse in on itself. The body then safely absorbs the vein.

After filming the operation being carried out, Evans was seen jogging to the pub. This highlighted how minimally invasive varicose vein removal can be. Many patients return to work or their daily activities right after the procedure.

Understanding varicose vein removal

Varicose vein removal has come a long way since its introduction. The veins were once only treatable via surgery. However, today patients have an extensive range of options open to them.

Laser treatment is one of the most popular options available. Targeting the affected veins, this minimally invasive treatment is virtually painless. There are other alternative non-invasive techniques available too. The treatment approach will be based on the severity of the condition.

The importance of a varicose vein consultation

Before seeking any form of varicose vein treatment, it’s important to book a consultation. You will need to be assessed to determine the severity of the varicose veins. From there, you’ll be presented with the best course of treatment.

It is also important to seek varicose vein treatment as soon as possible. The earlier you get treatment, the less invasive the procedure will be.

It’s great that Chris Evans shared his varicose vein removal experience with his fans. Many patients are put off seeking treatment because they imagine it to be much worse than it actually is. Despite having a lesser common treatment, the star proves varicose vein removal doesn’t have to be a big deal. Call 01872 308 520 to arrange your consultation at the Cornwall Vein Clinic.

Varicose veins are known to lead to numerous physical health issues. However, did you know they can also cause emotional turmoil too?

Several studies have revealed a link between varicose veins and depression. So, how do the two conditions interlink? Below, you’ll discover why many patients also develop depression and other mental health symptoms.

Do varicose veins cause depression?

According to results from several studies, varicose veins can lead to depression in patients. Quality of life surveys have shown that those who suffer from varicose veins without the presence of ulcers have a quality of life score similar to patients who have suffered a hip fracture, stroke or heart attack. When there’s also the presence of ulcers, the scores drop to mirror those who have congestive heart failure.

This shows that varicose veins are far from just a cosmetic issue. The impact they can have on a patient’s life can be dramatic. Many sufferers also avoid social situations, particularly in the summer, due to their unsightly veins.

The level of depression also depends upon the severity of the varicose veins. While some produce no symptoms, others can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Those who experience more negative side effects are therefore more susceptible to develop depression than those with no negative side effects.

Treatment shown to reduce the symptoms

The good news is, studies have also shown that patients who seek treatment for their varicose veins see an improvement in their quality of life. In many cases, the depressive symptoms ease completely once treatment has been sought.

There are lots of different varicose vein treatments available today. Many of these are also non- or minimally invasive. The earlier treatment is sought, the less invasive the treatment will need to be. Call 01872 308 520 to book a consultation today at the Cornwall Vein Clinic and discover which treatment is right for you.