Introduction to Long-Term Varicose Veins 

Varicose veins are visible veins that cause aching pain or itching where they occur. Most common in the legs, they tend to last a long time and are very likely to recur without proper care due to the main cause of the problem. In order to prevent, treat, and avoid the recurrence of varicose veins, it's important to maintain your vein health over time. This can help you prevent further issues and enjoy overall leg health.

Understanding Varicose Veins and Their Causes

Veins are supposed to be one-way routes for blood heading back to your heart. This is accomplished with a combination of blood pressure and one-way valves. However, if your venous valves are weak or if the blood pressure in your legs isn't sufficient to push blood back toward your heart, then you may develop varicose veins.

Visible, achy, or itchy veins are the first sign of trouble. Untreated, varicose veins can lead to leg heaviness, fatigue, aching, burning, swelling, discoloration, or ulceration.

Why Long-Term Care Is Essential

Long-term care for varicose veins is essential because the underlying causes are likely still present. A person with a tendency toward weak venous valves will always have a certain amount of risk for new varicose veins, worsening veins, and recurrence even after treatment. Read more about the six stages of varicose veins here. Staying healthy and preventing varicose veins from recurring is a long-term, in fact a life-long, effort. Fortunately, that effort will pay off in the form of healthy legs and a stronger cardiovascular system as a result.

Tips for Maintaining Vein Health

Here are ten important and useful tips to help you maintain your vein health and prevent future varicose veins from developing over time.

1. Keep Active and Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise keeps your blood pumping and helps you maintain a healthy blood pressure. Working your legs will help to push blood up your veins at the correct rate and prevent blood from pooling at any point in your circulatory system.

2. Wear Compression Stockings Daily

Compression stockings provide your veins with a little extra "oomph" and prevents blood from pooling in the veins of your legs. Compression is good for your body in a number of ways, and is especially effective for preventing varicose veins. Wear compression stockings on a daily basis if you are prone to varicose veins in your legs.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight can increase your risk of varicose veins. Conversely, maintaining a healthy weight reduces that risk and can help you maintain a healthy amount of upward venous pressure from your legs to your heart.

4. Elevate Your Legs Often

Varicose veins are a sign that your legs have trouble pumping blood back toward your heart. Elevating your legs is a simple and comfortable solution. Lift your legs to reduce the fight against gravity. Raise your legs above your heart (lay on your back and prop your legs on a wall or chair above you) to help blood flow up your legs and back toward your heart through the veins.

5. Avoid Prolonged Sitting or Standing

Stillness, sitting or standing, can increase your risk for varicose veins and blood pooling in your veins. Stay active and move your legs often. If you must sit or stand for long periods, develop movement patterns so your legs are never still for long.

6. Practice Healthy Posture

Good posture promotes good circulation. Avoid slouching or leaning and consciously maintain good posture. This will make it easier for blood to flow throughout your body, including your legs.

7. Stay Hydrated

Sluggish and thick blood can increase the risk of varicose veins. You can keep your blood flowing smoothly with the help of hydration. Drink plenty of water and other hydrating liquids like tea, juice, and broth. Coffee and soda are not very hydrating and it is best to avoid alcoholic drinks.

8. Eat a Vein-Healthy Diet

Choose a diet that promotes vein health. That should include plenty of fiber-rich fruits such as bananas and apples. Include foods like beetroot, ginger, avocados, citrus, and leafy greens.

9. Regular Check-ups and Monitoring

Long-term care for a condition like varicose veins benefits from regular checkups with your healthcare provider. Your doctor can help you monitor the condition of your veins and prevent recurrence before the condition becomes acute later on.

10. Consider Minimally Invasive Treatments

If your varicose veins are persistent in spite of a healthy lifestyle and steady care, consider minimally invasive treatments like sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, or ClosureFast. Each provides a different way to close the damaged veins and let healthy secondary veins take over.

When to Seek Medical Help

Varicose veins may not seem like a big deal at first, but early treatment and timely intervention can prevent more serious complications. Visible veins may not worry you, but do seek medical care if your varicose veins show symptoms like:

• Pain and intense aching
• Sudden leg swelling
• Skin discoloration
• Skin feels unusually warm to the touch
• Ulcers or bleeding

Long-Term Care for Your Varicose Veins

Take care of your long-term vein health to reduce, prevent, and treat varicose veins. Schedule a consultation with varicose veins specialist, Dr. Manish Taneja at specialized varicose veins clinic, Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, in Singapore. We can help you to create a personalized care plan to manage your varicose veins and maintain optimal vein health.

Varicose Veins Resources

Explore our varicose veins and spider veins resources for patients. Gain insight into the diagnosis and treatment of varicose and spider veins conditions, their underlying causes, symptoms, and complications. Connect with your vascular health.

Varicose, Spider Veins, or DVT: Blue or Purple Veins

Keep Varicose Veins and Spider Veins at Bay

If your legs feel sore persistently, achy when standing long periods, or maybe you notice blue or purple veins even bulging in the area, chances are these symptoms of varicose veins and spider veins could lead to other serious venous diseases such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), or Leg Swelling due to increased pressure forming larger blood clots over time. Varicose veins are fully treatable through varicose veins treatments, vascular surgeries, or minimally invasive procedures and treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation, which offers minimal downtime and quick recovery preventing further complications. Long term effects of untreated varicose veins can hinder your daily life and impact your vascular health. Understanding symptoms and preventing future vein problems starts with early assessment. 

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, a specialized varicose veins clinic in Singapore, is here to diagnose and treat varicose veins smoothening patients’ experience to find relief and comfort. As a vascular and interventional radiology specialist based in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja looks after a spectrum of venous diseases, peripheral vascular malformations, and peripheral arterial disease. Dr. Manish Taneja also has extensive experience in performing all vascular interventions, non-vascular interventions and interventional oncology procedures.

Other Health Conditions

Venous Diseases (Varicose Veins)

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our varicose veins specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.