Posts

Varicose Veins – Dos and Don’ts

/in /by

regular exercise can help varicose veinsIt’s easy to dismiss varicose veins as a purely cosmetic issue, but when left untreated they do have the potential to lead to potentially serious issues. There are also things you could be doing right now which are making the problem worse.

If you have varicose veins, there are numerous things you should and shouldn’t be doing to ensure they don’t become an even bigger problem. Here we’ll look at some of the most important dos and don’ts.

Do – Wear compression stockings

Compression stockings are often dismissed as a waste of time, but the right ones do actually make a massive difference to your varicose veins. This is especially true if you spend long periods of time either on your feet or if you’re stationary for hours on end. They help to improve blood flow and reduce swelling.

The thing to remember with compression stockings however is that they are only a temporary solution and should ideally be worn until you undergo a more permanent treatment.

Don’t – Rely upon natural home remedies or ointments

If you research varicose vein treatments, you’ll come across a lot of so called miracle products claiming to help eliminate the problem. There’s also a lot of home remedies advertised which claim to work. Unfortunately, the majority of these ointments and home remedies are useless. They don’t help the problem so essentially, you’ll just end up wasting money and risking your varicose veins getting worse.

Do – Exercise frequently

Regular exercise can really help to minimise the symptoms of varicose veins. Not only does it help boost blood flow, but it also helps control weight. Varicose veins are often made worse, or brought on, by weight gain due to the pressure it places onto the legs. So, regular exercise is going to help lower your weight and in turn reduce unsightly veins.

Don’t – Wear high heeled shoes

This is probably one of the most surprising on the list, but high heeled shoes can place extra strain onto the calf muscles. This in turn can cause your varicose veins to get worse. Instead, opt for low heels or flat shoes until you can undergo treatment.

These are some of the most important do’s and don’ts you should follow if you’re suffering from varicose veins. However, it is better to seek treatment as soon as possible to eliminate the problem entirely. There are lots of different treatment options available and some are non-invasive. Contact us today to see what treatments could work for you.

Top 5 Varicose Vein Facts

/in , /by

top 5 varicose vein factsVaricose veins may be a very common problem, but they’re still largely misunderstood. Here we’ll look at the top 5 varicose vein facts everyone should know.

1. Varicose veins aren’t the same as spider veins

Although they do look similar varicose veins and spider veins aren’t the same thing. The main difference is the size of the veins. Spider veins are pretty small and they’re also flat. Varicose veins on the other hand are large and often bulge out from the skin.

Of course, this isn’t always the case and some varicose veins don’t actually stick out. It can also be difficult to tell them apart based on colour. While varicose veins do tend to be bluish, they can also be red or purple, the same as spider veins. As it can be difficult to tell them apart, it does help to have them looked over by a vein specialist who will be able to tell you what you’re dealing with.

2. They can be dangerous

By far the biggest misconception about varicose veins is that they are 100% harmless. In most cases, varicose veins aren’t harmful and they are purely a cosmetic concern. However, they can get worse and lead to more serious health issues. Therefore, it is a good idea to have them treated as soon as possible.

3. They are caused by faulty or weak valves

The primary reason varicose veins occur is because the valves in the vein aren’t functioning properly. This could be a genetic issue where the valves are naturally faulty, or they could weaken due to pressure caused by weight gain for example.

4. Some people are more at risk than others

There are several risk factors which increase your chances of developing varicose veins. These include pregnancy, family history, weight gain and gender. Did you know for example, that women tend to develop varicose veins more than men? Age can also play a role as the risk of developing them increases as you get older.

5. There are plenty of treatment options available

While the range of treatment options available these days is impressive, many believe the only option open to them is surgery. This is because in the past, the only option was to have the veins surgically stripped. However, these days you have a range of treatments to choose from, including non-invasive procedures.

The treatment type that’s best for you will depend upon the severity of the varicose veins. Just some of the options include laser treatment, compression stockings and injections.

Overall, these are the top 5 facts about varicose veins everyone should know. It’s important to understand the facts and seek treatment as soon as you can. While varicose veins may not be necessarily harmful, they can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Contact the Cornwall Vein Clinic today to find out more and book a consultation.

Beware of Varicose Veins This Winter

/in /by

How to prevent your varicose veins from getting worse this winterWinter is often seen as a great time for varicose vein sufferers. The colder days give you the perfect excuse to cover up and hide your unsightly veins. However, did you know that it’s also the time of year which can lead to your varicose veins getting worse? Here we’ll look at how winter living can contribute to varicose veins and what you can do to prevent them getting worse.

How can winter affect your varicose veins?

There are a few things which can trigger varicose veins in the winter months including:

  • Weight gain
  • Little exercise
  • Hot baths and heat exposure

As the weather turns colder, it’s common to turn to hot comfort foods. Most people tend to eat more during the winter months; especially throughout the festive season. It’s not unusual to pile on the pounds over the winter months and it’s the weight gain which can cause a problem for varicose veins. As the legs become heavier, they find it increasingly difficult to pump blood efficiently. This in turn leads to increased discomfort for those already suffering from varicose veins.

While you eat more during the winter months, you tend to do less exercise. This again can make it difficult for the legs to pump blood effectively. So, the veins begin to pool with blood, making them ache and bulge out more than usual.

Finally, as it is a lot colder, you’re going to opt for hot baths and have the heating turned up; especially underfloor heating if you have it. Heat causes the veins to dilate, again making them bigger than normal.

How to prevent your veins getting worse this winter

If you want to prevent your varicose veins getting worse over the cold winter months, ensuring you don’t over indulge too much and keeping active will help. Calf exercises are especially effective. If you want to enjoy a nice bath, make sure it’s warm, rather than hot and try not to overuse the heating.

Of course, the only real way to prevent your varicose veins from getting worse this winter is to seek treatment. There are a lot of treatment options available, so why not contact us today and book a consultation?

Worried about your varicose veins this Christmas?

/in /by

Worried about varicose veins in Cornwall this ChristmasThe Christmas party season is almost underway and the pressure is on to look your best. If you’re suffering with unsightly varicose veins and you’re worried about covering them up, why not eliminate the problem and get them treated once and for all?

The range of treatments available these days is outstanding. There are procedures which can even be carried out during your lunch break and require very little recovery time.

So, if you’ve been put off by the thought of surgery, you may want to pop into the Cornwall Vein Clinic to see if a non-invasive procedure would work for you.

Helping you to have a healthy, happy Christmas

It’s not just the unsightly appearance of varicose veins you need to worry about. Did you know that they can also be harmful to your health? There’s a huge misconception that varicose veins are harmless. Granted, in many cases they can be, but they can also lead to potentially serious complications, including blood clots which could prove fatal.

There’s also the pain and discomfort to consider. How many times have you felt the aching, painful effects of your varicose veins? The Christmas party season can put a lot of additional pressure onto the legs, leading to even more discomfort than usual and increasing the chances of developing a blood clot.

The right treatment can help to minimise and often completely eliminate the pain and discomfort caused by varicose veins.

Treatments you can trust

All of the treatments offered at our clinic are recommended by NICE. Just some of the options available include:

  • Micro sclerotherapy for thread veins
  • VNUS Closure Procedure
  • Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (injections)
  • Endovenous Laser Ablation

To find out which treatment would be most effective at correcting your varicose veins, contact us today. You may just be surprised at how quick and easy it is to eliminate the condition once and for all.

Overall, varicose veins aren’t pleasant and they can cause a lot of psychological distress. Why suffer when you don’t have to?

Cornwall Vein Clinic Now Offering New, Virtually Pain Free Varicose Vein Laser Treatment

/in /by

Cornwall Vein Clinic offers new, virtually pain-free treatmenrAt the Cornwall Vein Clinic, we’re dedicated to offering the newest, most innovative varicose vein treatments on the market. Our latest investment is a 1470nm laser, means patients can now enjoy a virtually pain free treatment.

Introducing our new laser

Our new 1470 nanometre laser is proven to eliminate most of the discomfort you’d experience with older laser techniques. Its longer wavelength capacity means it can specifically target cells right within the vein wall. This prevents the laser damaging the surrounding tissue, significantly reducing the pain felt during the procedure.

This innovative new laser treatment also reduces both procedure and recovery time.

A treatment choice to suit you

The addition of our new laser treatment means we are now the only clinic within the Southwest to offer all the recommended varicose vein treatments.

With such a wide choice of procedures available, patients have full control over their treatment. Of course, the type of treatment required will depend upon numerous factors including how severe the varicose veins are. The majority of patients tend to require minimally invasive techniques, though surgery may be needed for particularly large, painful and dangerous veins.

You can find out which procedures are recommended to treat your varicose veins by booking a consultation with our expert surgeons. It is advisable to read up on the different techniques and treatments prior to deciding which one is right for you.

Simple preventative measures

Of course, prevention is always better than a cure. If you have received varicose vein treatment, or you want to avoid developing them in the first place, wearing support stockings during long periods of standing up and ensuring you get plenty of exercise can help.

Overall, varicose veins are a common but highly treatable condition. The majority of the time they are harmless, but there is a possibility they could lead to more serious issues. Therefore, we recommend getting them treated as soon as possible to eliminate the risk.

Could juice be the cure for your varicose veins?

/in /by

Could juice be the cure for your varicose veins?For every health problem you experience, you’ll find a wide range of natural treatments advertised to help. One of the latest natural treatments being advised to those suffering with varicose veins is a juice cleanse.

For those looking to avoid surgery, drinking various juices might seem like a fantastic alternative, but the question is do they actually work?

The link between juice therapy and varicose veins

It is the nutrients within the juices which are said to be beneficial in the treatment of varicose veins. Flavonoids and other nutrients contained in fruits such as blackberries, cherries and blueberries, are said aid in the break-down of hard protein deposits; preventing the veins from becoming blocked and maintaining adequate blood flow.

These nutrients are also thought to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels. Of course, there’s also the added benefit that they can help prevent other conditions and help you to stay generally healthy.

So that’s the logic behind juice therapy for varicose veins, but is it really the best course of action when it comes to treating the condition?

Does it work?

There really is no evidence to back up the claims that juice therapy works in the treatment of varicose veins. While in theory, drinking juices containing dark berry fruits could help in the prevention of the condition, when it comes to treatment you’d be better off seeking actual medical options.

Not all varicose vein treatments are surgery related. In fact, there are many excellent non-surgical procedures available these days. It all depends upon the severity of the condition.

The trouble with trying out natural treatments such as juice therapy, is that you risk the condition getting worse. Contrary to popular belief, varicose veins aren’t always harmless and can develop into more serious problems if left untreated.

Overall, juice therapy could be useful in preventing varicose veins but you shouldn’t rely solely upon it as a viable treatment option.

Don’t be put off seeking help, the treatment required may not be as scary as you imagine! Book a consultation with the Cornwall Vein Clinic today.

Varicose Veins Treatment Market Set to Grow by 6.9% by 2021

/in /by

sprout-1136131_960_720Varicose veins not only look unpleasant, but they can also be extremely painful. However, the good news is that thanks to innovative techniques and advances in technology, they have never been easier to treat. Minimally invasive procedures have increased the popularity of varicose vein surgery, with new research showing an expected further growth of 6.9% by 2021.

Growth driven by innovative procedures

These days there are plenty of treatments available to remove varicose veins. By far the most popular and minimally invasive is endothermal ablation. Performed via ultrasound guidance, laser or radiofrequency is used to destroy the trunk.

After this type of treatment, few patients go on to require further procedures. Endothermal ablation can be performed on most varicose veins.

Another popular treatment is Venaseal. This FDA approved procedure involves sealing the veins with an adhesive. It’s a permanent treatment that provides long-lasting results. Taking very little time to perform and offering fantastic results, it’s no wonder varicose vein surgery has become so popular today.

Market currently worth $207.9 million

The research conducted focused on varicose vein treatments in North America and Europe. It showed that as of 2016, the market is worth $207.9 million. By 2021 this is expected to rise to $289.7 million. That’s a substantial growth and highlights just how popular varicose vein treatments are today.

Varicose veins are a growing problem and there are many causes of the condition. They can be caused by weakened valves and your risk of developing them is increased by a large number of factors including genetics, obesity, pregnancy and age. While women are more likely to develop them, many men also suffer with the condition.

Overall the recent research does show how far varicose vein treatments have come over the years. As the trend reaches out to more minimally invasive procedures, it’s likely that is where development of the industry will be focused upon in coming years.

Call the Cornwall Vein Clinic today to arrange a consultation and find out more about these innovative minimally invasive procedures.