aisle shot of an airplane from behindFor many of us, it’s exciting to go on new adventures. But for those who suffer from varicose veins, traveling leads to pain and discomfort. Sitting or standing for long periods of time can wreak havoc on your veins. Long plane rides or exploring a new city on foot can be very uncomfortable.

Here are some tips to help ease varicose vein discomfort from road trips to airplane travel.

1. Get up and Walk

When you’re traveling long distances, try to get up and walk around every 60 minutes or so. If you’re driving, that means pulling over to a rest area or restaurant. If you’re flying, a quick walk to the bathroom and back will do the trick.

2. Hydrate

One of the best ways to reduce varicose vein discomfort when traveling is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water improves your vein health. It helps blood circulation and strengthens the muscles that support your veins. Avoid dehydrating liquids like alcohol and caffeine.

3. Dress Comfortably

Avoid restrictive garments when traveling because they might restrict your blood flow. Loose-fitting pants or dresses will help your legs relax and promote blood circulation.

4. Move Your Feet

If you’re stuck in a seat for long periods of time, shaking your feet and wiggling your toes is helpful. Pull your toes back towards your body, hold for 10 seconds, then point your feet down for 10 seconds. Do this with each foot several times to keep your leg muscles engaged and blood flowing.

5. Wear Compression Stockings

When sitting for a long period of time during travel, swelling is likely to occur. To keep swelling down, try compression stockings or socks. Compression socks help keep oxygen flowing and prevent your legs from cramping.

Pain-free Travel for Good

Varicose veins can be painful and even a serious medical condition. But they should not stop you from taking a well-deserved vacation. Talk to a vein specialist about treatment today for pain-free travel in the future.

 

Delaware State riding a bicycle to healthier veinsAt Delaware Advanced Vein Center, our medical staff has years of experience helping people with their spider and varicose veins. We would love to welcome you to our family of satisfied patients. 

Contact us today to schedule a free virtual consultation and vein evaluation.

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dark lump on leg that may be symptom of phlebitis
Have you noticed an area on your leg that’s dark with a lump? This is a common symptom of phlebitis.

It refers to the inflammation of veins, which can cause blood clots called Thrombophlebitis if left untreated.

Here, we’ll go over what causes phlebitis so you can better understand how to treat it.

What Causes Phlebitis?

Phlebitis has many causes but the most common causes are:

  • Local trauma or injury to the vein
  • Prolonged inactivities like long driving or plane rides
  • Insertion of intravenous catheters (IV) in hospitals
  • IV induced after surgery, especially orthopedic procedures
  • Prolonged immobility, as in hospitalized or bed-ridden patients
  • Varicose veins
  • Underlying cancers or clotting disorders
  • Removal of lymph nodes or after mastectomy for breast cancer

Phlebitis can also occur in individuals whose blood has a tendency to clot, often caused by circulatory issues.

How to Treat Phlebitis

Phlebitis can be treated with:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and inflammation
  • Blood thinners to prevent clots from enlarging
  • Self-care like a healthy diet and exercise
  • Warm compress
  • Compression stockings

find relied for phlebitis leg lump pain with these

Home Remedies for Phlebitis

Here are some simple at-home treatments to relieve phlebitis symptoms:

  • Use warm/cold compresses
  • Elevate the affected leg for better blood flow
  • Wear compression stockings
  • Use over the counter drugs

How Long Does Phlebitis Take to Go Away?

A short-term condition of phlebitis will subside in 1-3 weeks.

How to Prevent Phlebitis

Some preventive measures of phlebitis and thrombophlebitis include:

  • Staying hydrated
  • Performing leg exercises
  • Quit smoking

Can Phlebitis Turn into Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

If left untreated, phlebitis poses an increased risk of developing blood clots in deeper veins.

The development of a serious blood clot is known as deep vein thrombosis.

One of the primary risks of DVT is a clot breaking free of the blood vessel wall and traveling through the body to the lungs. It can lodge in a pulmonary artery and block blood flow back to the heart. The situation can be life-threatening.

In the event that phlebitis has caused a deep vein thrombosis, hospitalization is often recommended along with anti-blood clot or blood thinner medications and monitoring.

 

Delaware Vein Center RecoveryDelaware Advanced Vein Center, our medical staff has years of experience helping people with their spider and varicose veins. We would love to welcome you to our family of satisfied patients. 

Contact us today to schedule a FREE virtual consultation and vein evaluation.

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Feeling self-conscious about your spider veins?

Then Sclerotherapy treatment is the answer for you.

It’s a quick, non-surgical treatment to reduce the appearance of spider and some varicose veins.

If it’s your first time, here’s what to expect before and after your treatment.

What to do Before Sclerotherapy Treatment

Here are some things that you should avoid to ensure you don’t have any issues during sclerotherapy treatment.

  • Pause intake of Vitamin E or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Advil or aspirin for at least 1 week before treatment.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing.
  • Do not apply any lotion to your legs before treatment.
  • Avoid consuming alcohol or nicotine.

to do before sclerotherapy list with Delaware state mascot

What to do After Sclerotherapy Treatment

The recovery from sclerotherapy has little downtime and the following instruction will ensure a smooth recovery.

  • Avoid sports or exercise for at least 10 days after your treatment.
  • Wear compression stockings for 5 days or as advised by your doctor.
  • Avoid warm baths, sunbathing, hot tubs, and saunas for at least 2-3 days after your treatment as heat causes blood vessels to dilate.
  • Schedule a follow-up treatment in 4-6 weeks after your procedure. You probably won’t see the decrease of all of the spider veins in one session. Most people need 2-3 sessions or more to achieve their desired results.

to do after sclerotherapy list with Delaware state mascot

Vein-Free Legs: Guaranteed

It’s very important to follow all post-treatment instructions so you can lower your risk of developing any side effects from the treatment. While these are rare, they can include mild cramping, scarring, and even temporary browning of the skin.

For the safest and most satisfactory results, you should always follow your vein specialists’ pre and post-treatment instructions. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your vein doctor.

 

 

Delaware State riding a bicycle to healthier veinsDelaware Advanced Vein Center, our medical staff has years of experience helping people with their spider and varicose veins. We would love to welcome you to our family of satisfied patients. 

Contact us today to schedule a FREE virtual consultation and vein evaluation.

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legs with compression stockings for varicose veinsYou may have heard people who swear by these stockings when they fly, sit, or stand at work for long periods of time. They come with many benefits like soothing pain, but they are not a cure for underlying health conditions. 

We ask ourselves: Are compression stockings even worth it? The verdict is still out. Studies suggest that compression stockings can improve some symptoms of varicose veins, but little evidence supports the idea that stockings alone will eliminate them.

What are Compression Stockings?

Compression stockings are supportive, snug-fitting socks that typically come up to the top of your calf and encourage the healthy circulation of blood from your ankles back up to your heart. Compression socks are typically worn during the day and taken off during bedtime. They can be worn on one or both legs depending on the condition and recommendations by your doctor. 

Types of Compression Stockings

Compression stockings come in various forms including graduated, anti-embolism, and non-medical. Each can be very useful for patients at risk of blood clots and venous ulcers.

Benefits of Compression Stockings

While compression socks alone won’t make your spider or varicose veins go away, they have many benefits:

  • Improve blood circulation in the legs
  • Prevent blood from pooling in your leg veins
  • Reduce leg swelling
  • Prevent ulcers
  • Prevent blood clots in the veins of the legs
  • Reduce pain 

How to Use Compression Socks

Consult with your doctor first, before using compression stockings. They come in various lengths and sizes, and they need to fit properly based on measurements of the patient’s legs. Different types of stockings exert different amounts of pressure. A doctor or nurse should assess the right size or else you won’t get any results. 

Uses for Compression Stockings

Compression stockings may be used in the following condiments of the lower limbs:

What’s the Downside to Compression Stockings?

  • Irritation: If compression stockings are worn for too long, new areas of irritation can occur. You should remove stockings every day and check the legs and feet for signs of damage or irritation.
  • Bad Fit: When compression stockings don’t fit properly, they won’t help! Non-fitting compression socks may increase the risk of blood clots or circulation issues. So it’s important to discuss with your doctor the right type for your specific condition.
  • Uncomfortable: First time wearing compression stockings can be uncomfortable, especially when they need to be worn during the warmer season.

    delaware state wearing compression stockings for veins

Compression Stockings After Vein Treatment

We encourage patients to walk as soon as possible after vein removal treatment. It’s also common for doctors to recommend compression stockings after vein treatment, but we find that they don’t make much a difference. If you receive the proper number of vein treatments, your legs will look and feel better without ever having to wear compression socks.  

Compression stockings may or may not make sense for you, so it’s best to discuss this with your doctor which will address your concerns and determine if they are the right choice for you.

 

At Delaware Advanced Vein Center, our medical staff has years of experience helping people with their spider and varicose veins. We would love to welcome you to our family of satisfied patients. 

Contact us today to schedule a free virtual consultation and vein evaluation.

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