How to Talk to a Doctor About Varicose Veins

Not only are varicose veins unsightly, but they cause a great deal of discomfort. In especially severe cases, they can even create problems that are fatal. Varicose veins are a common disorder, with about 25 percent of women and 15 percent of men developing them. Talking to your doctor about varicose veins is a good starting point for treatment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Identify the symptoms of varicose veins to determine whether you may have them. Varicose veins look like smalls cords that bulge out above the surface of your skin, and they usually appear on your legs. With them come leg aches, heaviness, muscle fatigue and possible discoloration.
2. Schedule an appointment with your doctor or with a doctor specializing in phlebology as soon as you experience pain or if your varicose veins are prominent. Varicose veins can lead to severe health problems. Let the office know about your varicose veins when you make the appointment. You can find specialists in this field at the Vein Directory (see Resources below).
3. Show the doctor your varicose veins so she can diagnose them and determine their severity. She may need to take x-rays or an ultrasound to fully diagnose them.
4. Explain your lifestyle to your doctor, focusing on your sedentary and active habits. He'll ask further questions to determine the best course of treatment for you. Express any cosmetic issues. Varicose veins can be disfiguring, and your doctor should know if you're concerned about their appearance.
5. Ask what she recommends for treatment, and request a full description of the procedure and its side effects. Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment, providing a 50 percent to 90 percent recovery of the vein. Endovenous techniques, a combination of radiofrequency and laser, are used for deep veins in the legs and can replace invasive surgery in most cases. If your varicose veins are very large, you'll probably need surgery.
6. Find out what you can do at home to improve your varicose veins, regardless of whether you opt for treatment. Your doctor can recommend a number of simple lifestyle changes that can diminish your varicose veins.
7. Discuss any desire to use herbs or other natural remedies to help treat your varicose veins before you attempt these treatments. Some herbal remedies may not be suitable for your varicose veins.