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Varicose veins during and after pregnancy – what you need to know.

Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash

Why am I susceptible to varicose veins during pregnancy?

Many women first notice varicose veins during pregnancy, when significant weight fluctuations and hormone changes impact on the development and symptoms of varicose veins. Unfortunately, broken veins and spider veins may also develop, with some mothers-to-be experiencing uncomfortable swollen ankles and suffering from poor circulation.

With the increase of blood during pregnancy, progesterone levels rise, prompting the walls of your blood vessels to relax. Your body has to work harder to return blood back to your heart, significantly increasing the risks of developing varicose veins in your legs.

Will varicose veins affect my pregnancy?

The good news is that varicose veins do not affect your baby and most certainly do not put your unborn child at risk.  However, they can be troublesome, with on-going symptoms, often worse at night and increasing as the pregnancy reaches full term.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by weaknesses in veins’ valves which prevent blood flowing properly between each of the vessels. If a one-way valve fails, the blood refluxes and gets stored in the veins near the surface of the skin. This makes the vein expand, causing it to twist and protrude, presenting as a lumpy raised vein, either deep blue or red in appearance.

Top symptoms of varicose veins

  • Aching or heavy feeling in your legs
  • Painful throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
  • Swollen ankles
  • Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
  • Restless legs, especially at night
  • Persistent leg itching
  • Skin discolouration around the ankles

How can I reduce varicose vein discomfort?

  •  Move around as much as possible and take frequent breaks if you have to stand or sit for long periods of time
  • Wear maternity support or compression tights

What varicose vein treatments are available?

 Successful treatment depends on careful pre-operative assessment. Reviewing visible swollen veins are just the tip of the iceberg. Mr Michael Gaunt assesses the underlying vascular condition before deciding upon the most suitable treatment for each patient.

“I perform a full diagnostic assessment with a Duplex ultrasound scan to identify the problematic veins and underlying problem before recommending the best procedure and treatment plan for you”

 As one of the most experienced and respected surgeons in the UK, Michael Gaunt takes pride in delivering the highest quality of award-winning patient service and he specialises in minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins using:

  • Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)
  • VNUS Closure
  • ClariVein
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Microsclerotherapy
  • VeinWave

Recommended after the birth, these procedures can be performed under local anaesthetic as walk in / walk out treatments, allowing you time to enjoy your new family with little impact on your busy lifestyle.

To learn more or to book an appointment with Mr Michael Gaunt call his specialist team on 01223 305858

 

Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash

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How to avoid varicose veins

Healthy legs: varicose vein treatment

Leading consultant vascular surgeon Mr Michael Gaunt offers his advice:

Varicose veins are very common, affecting at least 20% of the adult UK population. Symptoms can vary from unsightly, raised bulging veins to chronic leg pain and daily discomfort.

Many varicose vein symptoms increase with age or a sedentary lifestyle. Most of us are familiar with the advice to exercise regularly to avoid health risks associated with poor circulation. Did you know poor posture and lack of movement can lead to muscular stiffness, aches, and pains as well as affect your venous circulation.

Poor venous circulation symptoms:

  • Aches and pains
  • Restless legs
  • Itching skin
  • Swelling in your lower leg
  • Varicose veins
  • Thread veins
  • Skin discolouration around the ankles
  • Leg ulcers

A healthy lifestyle, eating well and finding ways to stay active is important and even more so if you have varicose veins, as weight gain can make symptoms seem worse.

Get active and improve your vein health

Varicose veins impair circulation, that’s why they often appear raised or bobbly. Instead of all the blood from the legs returning to the heart, a proportion of blood refluxes back down the superficial veins impairing the venous circulation of the leg and giving rise to the symptoms of aching, swelling and night cramps.

Poor circulation occurs when the blood doesn’t flow freely through the body. Blood flow naturally improves with the onset of activity, it needn’t be high impact, but it does need to be consistent and frequent.

You don’t have to run a marathon to improve your circulation, little changes like taking regular breaks if sitting at a desk all day, will help, and may temporarily reduce varicose vein symptoms.

Can I prevent varicose veins?

Unfortunately, you can’t prevent varicose veins, however the best way to avoid complications is to seek professional treatment early and not ignore symptoms. In the developing stages, varicose veins and thread veins may be primarily a cosmetic problem but if left untreated the condition can deteriorate and a variety of complications can occur such as leg swelling, pigmentation of the skin around the ankles and leg ulcers.

Top Tips for good vein care

  • Vary your day to include movement
  • Stretch and change your posture regularly
  • Alternatively flex and extend your ankle in a pumping action
  • Monitor your skin and vein changes
  • Seek a professional consultation and treatment package (link)
  • Varicose vein complications

Enlarged varicose veins appear twisted and raised on the skin. If left untreated further venous health complications may develop :

  • Increased pain and discomfort
  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Skin changes: broken skin and discolouration
  • Venous ulceration
  • Looking for varicose vein treatment?

Book a consultation with internationally renowned Mr Michael Gaunt, specialising in varicose vein and thread vein treatments using Endovenous Laser (EVLA), ClariVein (MOCA), Ultrasound Foam Sclerotherapy (UGFS) and saline micro-injection sclerotherapy. with award winning patient satisfaction.

· Walk-in, walk-out minimally invasive procedures

· Individual tailored treatment plans

· Diagnostic ultrasound scan

· Post-operative care

· Multi award-winning research

· Celebrated patient satisfaction

Book your consultation> 

Private Secretaries:
Tel/Fax: 01223 305858
Email: megsecretaries@michaelgaunt.com