Why Seniors Should Get Vein Treatment
As we get older, our veins tend to get weaker and therefore increase our risk of developing different types of vein disease, including unsightly varicose veins and spider veins. But vein disease goes far beyond appearance. If left untreated, vein disease and chronic venous insufficiency continue to worsen, and may lead to complications such as chronic pain, swelling, and severe skin ulcers.
In this article, we'll look at why vein treatment is good for seniors and what types of treatment options are available through Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center.
The Importance of Vein Health for Seniors
As seniors age, vein health becomes increasingly important. Our veins carry blood from our tissues back to our heart and lungs. As we age, the vein walls and the tiny valves inside the veins can weaken, leading to backwards blood flow or reflux. This is called chronic venous insufficiency. Advancing age is a known risk factor for developing chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins in both men and women. Since seniors are at increased risk for vein disease, it is strongly recommended to engage in lifestyle changes and other preventive care that can help prevent vein disease from developing or worsening.
Symptoms of Vein Disease
Seniors and others at risk for vein disease may experience a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms include swelling, heaviness, pain, itching, and fatigue in the affected legs. These symptoms can affect your ability to walk, stand, and carry out daily activities. You may also experience leg cramps or restless legs at night, or notice changes in the color and texture of the skin in your lower legs.
It is important for seniors know what to look for when it comes to their vein health, so they can be more proactive about getting the evaluation and treatment they need.
Risk Factors for Vein Disease
In addition to increasing age, there are a number of other factors that can cause or contribute to chronic vein disease. Some of the most common causes include:
Sitting or standing for long periods of time
Obesity
Damage to the veins due to an injury or surgery
Pregnancy
Genetics
Prevention of Vein Disease
Here are some ideas for what you can do to help prevent vein disease:
1. Eat a healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber and vitamins A, C, and E. These and other nutrients in fruits and vegetables can help keep the veins healthy. Avoid foods that are too high in sodium, which can cause swelling.
2. Stay active. Exercise improves blood circulation and also strengthens the muscles in the legs that assist in pumping blood towards the heart. Not only that, frequent exercise can help break up periods of sitting or standing. This is helpful because sitting or standing for long periods of time is a major risk factor for vein disease. If you have to sit or stand for an extended period of time, take breaks every 30 minutes or so to move around and stretch. Elevating your legs throughout the day is also helpful.
3. If you are overweight, try to lose weight. Extra weight puts pressure on the veins and makes it harder for them to work properly.
4. Finally, if you smoke, quit smoking. Smoking causes damage to the veins and contributes to poor circulation.
Treatment Options for Vein Disease
In addition to lifestyle changes, seniors can also consider getting vein treatment from a qualified medical professional. At Elmore Medical, we offer several non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments for vein disease including:
Wearing compression stockings. Compression stockings help blood circulation by applying greater pressure at the foot and ankle than higher up on the leg. This helps the blood in the veins keep flowing in the right direction, toward the heart and lungs, in spite of the downward pressure of gravity. Healthy blood flow can help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as well as varicose veins.
Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT). EVLT is a state of the art, in-office procedure which uses laser energy to close off large diseased veins in the saphenous vein system. The many remaining healthy veins in the legs then take over, improving circulation and relieving the pain, swelling, and other symptoms caused by venous disease.
Varithena. Varithena is a foam solution that is injected into varicose veins. It is another great option for treating large varicose veins, and it is often used following initial treatment of vein disease with EVLT. For optimal results, patients continue to wear their compression stockings for several weeks following Varithena treatment.
Sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a highly effective method of treating certain types of vein disease including spider veins. An irritating (sclerosing) solution is injected directly into the vein through a tiny micro-needle. The vein closes and then disappears with normal healing over the course of weeks to months.
By receiving proper treatment, seniors can minimize their risk of developing further complications related to vein disease including ulcers, skin discoloration and chronic edema (swelling). If you have a diagnosis of vein disease, make sure to schedule regular follow ups with your vein specialist. And if you have leg pain, aches, swelling, or other symptoms of vein disease, schedule a new patient evaluation so you can get treatment, relieve symptoms, and prevent future complications. Taking care of your vein health as a senior will help you stay active and improve your quality of life.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.