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Varicose Veins
March 14, 2008 |
Pam Lawrence says spider and varicose veins run in her family. She says her
condition has worsened through the years. “These veins of mine you know they’re
just really embarrassing. People who see my legs say how did you get that
bruise? I say well it’s not a bruise it’s my veins.” Along with cosmetic
complications, varicose veins can be very painful. Dr. Moutaa Benmarmaar is a
vascular surgeon who often treats vein conditions. He says, “We have what we
call veinous hypertension so they get bigger the wall gets weaker so they get
even bigger so that’s why they become very they become painful and most
importantly the leg becomes very heavy.” Other complications include bleeding
and clotting. But there are several treatment options out there including
non-invasive laser surgery. “We remove its function and that’s when we use the
laser. We put the laser inside the vein and we burn it from the inside so the
vein will occlude and no blood will go back through that vein,” says Dr.
Benmarmaar. There are things you can do right now to help prevent varicose
veins. Physicians say to avoid very hot showers or baths and try not to wear
high heels. Also exercising helps keep your veins pumping and healthy. Dr.
Benmarmaar says, “When you work out the muscle of your leg will contract and
that’s what we call the muscle pump and that’s what brings the blood back to the
heart so that’s very important. Losing weight is paramount.” Varicose veins are
most common in women and usually develop in the lower part of the body. In
general varicose are more painful when they are large. |
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