Blood clotting, or thrombosis, is a protective mechanism that occurs naturally to prevent excessive bleeding when the body is injured. It can become a problem, however, if blood clots form in veins and obstruct proper blood flow. When this occurs it can lead to superficial thrombosis, or in more serious cases, deep vein thrombosis. But while the condition can’t be cured, per se, it can be managed and treated. What is Deep Vein Thrombosis? Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a deep vein; ie., one of the large trunk veins in your muscle or bone that connect your ..read more

With the many varicose vein treatments currently on the market, it can be difficult to determine what your recovery will be like. So, to help you make an informed decision, we’ll be going over the recovery time and process after Endovenous Thermal Ablation (EVLA), ambulatory phlebectomy, and other varicose vein treatment options.  Recovery time With a minimally invasive procedure like EVLA or VenaSeal, you can walk out of the clinic and get back to your regular activities right away. The only caveats may be to take some time (usually three days) off work if your role involves a lot of st ..read more

9-Step Post-Operation Guide As with many operations, a varicose vein treatment has a few extra steps you’ll need to take after leaving the doctor’s office. So to ensure you’re taking the best care of yourself and your veins, here’s our 9-step post-op care guide. 1. Wear compression stockings Compression stockings are designed to help you maintain healthy blood flow through gentle pressure. Wearing them after your varicose vein treatment (whether it was Endovenous Laser Ablation, medical superglue, or Radiofrequency Ablation) is helpful as the stockings will reduce discomfort and bruising. Gra ..read more

Bulging veins are enlarged veins right underneath the skin’s surface. They are often not a cause for concern. But, depending on the specifics of their appearance and if they are accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, itchiness, or pain, they can sometimes point to an underlying health condition. You might be wondering what your veins could mean. To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments available, keep reading. Normal causes of bulging veins Bulging veins after exercise During exercise arterial blood pressure increases. As this pressure rises, sometimes veins will push up ..read more

Why do veins have valves? Why are veins so blue? Why are vein walls so thin? Everyone has veins, but not many know how they work. So as vascular specialists, we wanted to answer commonly asked vein questions to give you a better understanding of your vascular system and help you make informed decisions about your vein health. Why do veins have valves? Veins have valves to stop blood from flowing backwards. Your arteries don’t need much help moving blood around, as they’re well-supported by the powerful beats of your heart (and in most of your body, don’t need to fight against gravity). Your ..read more

With summer over, many find a reprieve from irritating varicose vein symptoms like itching, swelling, and limb fatigue. That’s because where summer dilates bulging vein walls, winter contracts them. But is winter really good for the condition? How else does cold weather affect varicose veins? Read on to find out. How cold and heat affect varicose veins Varicose veins develop when tiny vein valves malfunction. As they stop the backward flow of blood, their inability to close properly means blood starts pooling in your extremities instead of moving up to the heart. And as a result, your veins ..read more

What we eat directly impacts our health. And that’s true for the health of our veins, too. Some foods are good for relieving varicose vein symptoms and keeping your other veins healthy, while others can worsen your vein condition. So without further ado, here is the best and worst diet for varicose veins. The best diet for varicose veins Almonds, oats, and chia seeds Try starting your morning with a bowl of oatmeal sprinkled with chia seeds and sliced almonds. These foods all have at least 10 grams of dietary fibre per 100g, with chia seeds containing a staggering 34. Research shows that low ..read more

Getting a massage is a good way to boost circulation, so it would be natural to assume it can help varicose veins. But are massages effective for managing or even treating the condition? Are they safe? And which type of massage would work best? Read on to find out. What can a massage do? As we mentioned, a massage can boost your blood flow. If done right, it can also help move some of the congested blood up and out of your varicose vein. This can help:  Relieve pain  Reduce swelling  Help surrounding tissues get more oxygen and nutrients  However, a massage is just a re ..read more

Compression socks are a great way to relieve varicose vein symptoms and boost your circulation, especially when you’re static for long periods. But can you wear compression stockings for 24 hours a day? Read on to find out. What compression socks do Compression socks, stockings, and pantyhose support the function of your veins. They primarily assist your deep veins to work more efficiently and minimise inflammation. They also activate your leg muscles, which are crucial to moving blood up. Your veins themselves only have small valves to stop backward blood flow. You can wear them at night, b ..read more

We hear varicose veins being described as ugly, bulging, and unattractive. In fact, many people seek us out because they’re concerned about the look of this condition. But is that a good mindset to have? Should you seek varicose vein treatment for aesthetic reasons? Should you be body positive about varicose veins? Here’s our take on the matter. Varicose veins are a medical condition Varicose veins develop when the little valves inside the veins stop closing properly, leading to reflux (blood pooling inside the vein). Over time, the vein walls bulge out and turn varicose. And due to this cha ..read more