Normally, there are many factors that contribute to varicose veins and the deterioration of the venous circulation in the legs. These factors that can lead to venous insufficiency include age, gender, family history, heavy lifting, obesity, prolonged standing, and pregnancy. Venous insufficiency of the legs happen when the one way valves that keep blood moving up to return to the heart stop functioning well. This causes blood to flow backward for some time creating blood to pool in the legs that then create varicose veins, leg swelling, leg heaviness, leg fatigue, leg pain, aching, cramping, burning, itching, restless legs, skin rashes, and ulcers. But Can Varicose Veins Be Prevented During Pregnancy? What can be done to prevent them? What are the options?
What to do
Multiple pregnancy is one of the many factors that contribute to the presence of venous reflux, especially if there is a family history. Vein Doctor Michael Nguyen at the Vein Centers in New York explains that ultrasound duplex can image varicose veins in the legs as well as faulty valves. We are able to determine if venous reflux is present. Venous reflux as the underlying cause of varicose veins can be managed and targeted now to prevent future repercussion.
Focusing on venous circulatory issues mainly varicose vein during pregnancy is an important topic. Pregnancy carries along a high number of changes, both metabolic and physiological concerning different organ systems. In the case of the leg venous system, there is a notable link between varicose veins and pregnancy.
During pregnancies, changes can be measured with a venous duplex ultrasound differentiating normal from abnormal values according to guidelines for venous reflux. Also, physical changes can be seen whether varicose veins and edema are present or any other symptom. Varicose veins could remain even after delivery even if size look smaller because remember no every varicose vein can be seen without imaging ultrasound!
For those women that have a family history of varicose veins, there is a high likelihood of developing not only the varicose veins, but also venous reflux disease because of pregnancy.
In order to take care of varicosities and venous disease, it is recommended the advise of an expert for care and management. It is advised the use of medical grade compression stockings, daily exercise and walking, avoiding prolonged standing, changing from one position to another position often, avoiding high heels to help with the venous circulation, avoiding crossing of the legs when sitting, leg elevation, healthy meals without salt which can make you swell up otherwise, drinking plenty of water, and laying on the left side of the body for better venous circulation return from the lower extremities back to the heart. During pregnancy, tips mentioned above can benefit women with vein disease symptoms’ alleviation and decreasing discomfort. Later on, if in need for an interventions, only a vein expert can really tell. A new assessment can be done to study the venous circulation of the legs and decide a treatment plan if it is necessary.
There are advanced treatment options for venous disease and varicose veins to help make better the blood return back to the heart and decrease venous pressure in the legs. Procedures that are done in New York and New Jersey by vein experts Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Siddiqi are taking care of the varicose veins and also vein reflux disease.
Options for treatment can be mentioned such as: VenaSeal, thermal ablation with radiofrequency, advanced sclerotherapy, and microphlebectomy.
These procedures are all minimally invasive procedures that are performed with advanced technology. In the case of VenaSeal and radiofrequency ablation, a thin catheter is inserted after local anesthetic is administered at the insertion point. Radiofrequency ablation technology uses heat to target the vein, and VenaSeal uses an adhesive. One shrinks the vein and the other seals the wall, however they are both effective and have great outcomes. Venaseal has the advantage of not requiring medical compression stocking use afterwards, however, both are great methods to take care of reflux in the veins. In the case of advanced sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy, both can be used in combination with Venaseal or Radiofrequency to target remaining varicose veins or spider veins that remain.