Varicose Veins

“This summer, things will be different. I will happily wear shorts and skirts with bare legs, rather than trousers. Not because I’ve lost weight, but because I’ve had my varicose veins treated.” /Patient/

What are the causes?

In healthy leg veins, the valves prevent the blood from rushing back into your legs when the muscles relax. However, when the valves age or become faulty, the blood can fall back down the leg. Eventually, unsightly varicose veins are the result.

Vein treatment isn´t just about aesthetics; there are health concerns, too. Varicose veins can make legs tired and achy; thread veins can develop and, worse, there´s a risk of ulceration.

Tips for prevention:

  • Exercise. Walking is a great way to encourage blood circulation in your legs.
  • Watch your weight and diet. Excess pounds add pressure to veins. A low-salt, high-fiber diet to prevent the swelling that may result from water retention and constipation.
  • Avoid high heels. Low-heeled shoes work calf muscles more. Don´t wear tight clothes around your waist, legs or groin.
  • Elevate your legs; take several short breaks daily to elevate your legs above the level of your heart.
  • Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Try to move around at least every 30 minutes.
  • Don´t sit with your legs crossed.

If you have varicose veins:

1. Wear support stockings

Wear special elastic garments that provide additional pressure on the veins from feet to groin. They are similar to stockings or tight pants.

2. Laser Treatment

It is a relatively new, minimally invasive method for treating varicose veins. Laser filament gets inserted in the vein that works by closing it up from the inside.

3. Sclerotherapy – A process by which a medicine is injected into the vessels causing them to shrink, and close down.

After the chemical is injected, the patient has to walk around without pause for about 20 minutes, and the area is kept dry and under compression bandaging for 48 hours. Sclerotherapy is relatively free of complications, but a patient may have some bruising, itching and redness in the first 48 hours. Often, more than one appointment is necessary.

4. Surgery – For more advanced cases

Typically, the operation is performed in a single business day with no extended stay in a hospital. The wound heals in one or two weeks, but the area should be kept away from the sun for two or three months to minimize scarring.


Dr. Ervin Bács, FirstMed´s vascular and general surgeon, treats not only vascular diseases, but also other dermatological problems, like scars, moles or warts.

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