If you have noticed bulging or twisted veins on your legs, you, like many other patients, may ask, “Can varicose veins go away on their own?” The short answer is no, varicose veins will not usually disappear without medical intervention.
This is one of the most common questions people ask when they first notice these visible veins because of their unsightly appearance and sometimes painful symptoms. They wonder if varicose veins disappear naturally if they wait long enough or if there is something they can do to help eliminate them.
Understanding why they develop, some steps you can take to avoid them, and what you can do if they do occur will help you be prepared to make informed decisions when making choices about treatment.
Understanding What Happens Inside Your Veins
Varicose veins happen when the small valves inside your leg veins stop working properly. Healthy veins contain tiny one-way valves that act like special doors to keep blood flowing in the right direction back toward your heart. When these valves become weak or damaged, the blood starts flowing backward and pools in your veins. This backward flow increases the pressure inside the vein, causing it to swell, bulge, or even become twisted.
Once the valves in your veins become damaged, they cannot repair themselves, and the damage is permanent unless you seek medical intervention.
What Causes Varicose Veins to Develop?
Varicose veins develop when the veins in your legs have to struggle to move blood back up to your heart. This usually happens when your vein walls weaken, or the valves stop working as well as they should. Anyone can develop varicose veins, but certain characteristics, your age, and your daily habits can increase your risk or make any existing vein problems worse.
Genetics
Genetics is the biggest contributor to the development of varicose veins, and some people are born with weaker vein walls or less effective valves due to genetic traits. If one of your parents has varicose veins, this increases your risk of experiencing them by about 64 percent, and if both of your parents have them, this likelihood rises to around 90 percent. There is nothing you can do to change your genetics, but knowing your family history can help you take preventative measures and help you recognize symptoms early on.
Gender
More women are likely to experience varicose veins than men, with about 40 percent of women experiencing venous insufficiency compared to 20 percent of men.
Pregnancy
Many women develop varicose veins during pregnancy because the significant increase in blood volume adds additional work to the circulatory system, and the growing uterus increases the pressure on the veins in the pelvis and legs.
Age
Your age affects the strength of your veins and the functioning of your circulation. As you get older, your vein walls and valves naturally become weaker, and calf muscles reduce in strength, which are very important for pushing blood upward and through the legs to the heart. Most affected people develop varicose veins between the ages of 40 and 80.
Prolonged Standing or Sitting
Standing or sitting for long periods of time allows blood to pool in the legs, and professions that require prolonged standing, such as nursing, teaching, or retail work, increase pressure in leg veins. Also, desk jobs that require sitting for long stretches can cause similar problems by slowing blood flow back to the heart.
Overweight
Carrying excess body weight increases the pressure on the veins in your legs, and extra weight that has accumulated around the abdomen starts to press against the pelvic veins and narrows the pathway, making it harder for blood to travel from the legs to the heart.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Leading a sedentary lifestyle weakens your circulatory system, which decreases the effectiveness of how well the blood can move as it is meant to, which increases the risk of developing vein problems. Getting an adequate amount of exercise can help keep your calf muscles strong and boost your circulation so your blood keeps moving through your body as it should.
Smoking
Tobacco chemicals weaken the vein walls, reduce elasticity, and thicken the blood, which will make your body work harder to circulate blood flow and increase the risk of valve failure. Smoking and being exposed to secondhand smoke can damage your veins and hinder your circulation, leading to varicose veins.
Tight Clothing and High Heels
Continuously wearing tight clothing or high heels can restrict your circulation. Clothes that are restrictive at the waist, thighs, or legs can limit the volume of blood and increase the pressure in your veins. Wearing high heels changes how your calf muscles work and reduces their ability to help move blood upward.
Can Varicose Veins Be Reversed Naturally?
No, not normally. Lifestyle changes on their own cannot reverse the damage that causes varicose veins, but they can help slow down the disease’s progression. Certain lifestyle modifications like wearing compression stockings, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting more exercise can help reduce your discomfort and prevent additional problems, but cannot reverse the damage that has already been done. The damaged valves will remain damaged and will continue to function at reduced capacity.
Can You Avoid Getting Varicose Veins?
Unfortunately, you cannot completely eliminate your risk of developing varicose veins, especially if you have a strong family history, but there are things you can do to reduce your chances and delay their development.
Your lifestyle significantly impacts the health of your veins, and there are steps you can take that can help prevent varicose veins from developing or from getting worse.
Some of the things you can do that will help keep your veins healthy include:
- Regular physical activity boosts your circulation and strengthens your calf muscles. Walking is a great option, and it can be done anywhere and without any special equipment.
- Elevate your legs to be higher than your heart for 15 minutes a few times a day by propping your feet up on a stool or pillows. This will take the pressure off your veins and allow gravity to help the blood flow back toward your heart rather than working against it.
- Avoid long periods of sitting or standing and make a conscious effort to change positions as much as possible. This will keep your blood circulating and prevent it from accumulating in your legs and increasing the pressure on the veins.
- Maintain a healthy body weight because this significantly reduces your risk of varicose veins.
- Eat a healthy diet with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and use salt in moderation.
- Wear compression stockings to provide extra support for your veins, especially if you are at risk of developing varicose veins. They can be very helpful during air travel, while pregnant, or on days when you know you will be standing or sitting for long stretches.
- Avoid wearing tight, restrictive clothing that will slow down your circulation. Items with tight waistbands, or things like knee socks can create constriction in areas that will interfere with proper blood flow.
- Wear comfortable shoes most of the time because heels alter your natural walking pattern and keep your calf muscles in a shortened, contracted position that prevents them from doing their job of helping to circulate blood.
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
- Stay well hydrated.
Are Varicose Veins Permanent?
Yes. The underlying condition, known as venous insufficiency, happens when permanent damage is done to the vein valves, which in turn causes varicose veins.
Currently, doctors have no way to repair these tiny valves using medications or natural remedies, and left alone, they will just gradually get worse. They must close the faulty vein so blood can no longer flow through it.
Once the vein is closed or collapsed, your body naturally reroutes the blood through nearby healthy veins that still have working valves. This improves circulation and relieves symptoms like aching, swelling, and heaviness.
Special Cases: Pregnancy and Varicose Veins
One exception to the rule of permanency is when women develop varicose veins during pregnancy. Usually, women who experience varicose veins for the first time when they are pregnant find that their veins improve or even disappear after giving birth.
The weight of carrying a baby, combined with the increased blood volume that takes place during pregnancy, puts extra pressure on the leg veins, which can cause temporary varicose veins. The valves are not necessarily damaged, so once their pregnancy ends, their vein issues may resolve on their own. Once they have delivered their baby, their hormone levels come back into balance, which strengthens the vein walls. Their increased blood volume returns to normal levels, and their uterus is no longer adding pressure on the veins in their pelvic area, so circulation improves.
Do Varicose Veins Go Away With Treatment?
Yes, but not in the way you might think. Medical treatments cannot fix the damage that is causing the veins to become enlarged. These veins need to be sealed or disabled so the blood drains out of them and is routed using different healthy veins.
Today, there are several treatment options available, and the vein specialists at the Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute (LESI) can help you determine which procedure is best for you based on your specific situation. Some of the treatment options offered at LESI include:
- Radiofrequency Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure where the specialist uses ultrasound to guide a thin catheter into the affected vein, and radiofrequency energy heats the vein walls, causing them to collapse and seal shut. Once the vein is closed, blood naturally reroutes into healthier veins that are working properly.
- Sclerotherapy involves using injections of a special solution or foam called a sclerosant directly into the varicose vein. The sclerosant irritates the vein lining, which makes the vein collapse and close. Gradually, the closed vein is absorbed by the body, and the blood flow is redirected to healthy veins.
- Varithena is a specific form of foam sclerotherapy where the specialist uses ultrasound guidance to inject a medicated foam into the diseased vein to displace the blood and cause the vein walls to seal shut. Your body gradually absorbs the closed vein, and blood is rerouted to a nearby healthy vein.
The vein specialists at LESI have extensive experience in performing minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins that offer you access to innovative treatments using the latest technology with minimal downtime.
When to Seek Medical Help with Varicose Veins
If your varicose veins are causing pain, swelling, or skin changes, contact one of the vein specialists at LESI right away. Persistent aching or cramping in your legs, skin discoloration around an affected vein, itching, burning, or open sores are all symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and require medical attention.
If they are left untreated, varicose veins can lead to more serious problems like blood clots, skin ulcers, chronic swelling, and other potential complications. The good news is that treating these symptoms quickly can prevent these issues and improve or eliminate your discomfort.
Set up a consultation with the vein specialists at the Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute to learn more about the treatments we offer for varicose veins and which one may be right for you.
FAQs
Can You Get Rid of Varicose Veins for Good?
Yes, today’s modern treatments offer excellent success rates in eliminating varicose veins when performed by experienced specialists. The treated veins will not come back because the procedure eliminates the damaged vein entirely.
If you experience varicose veins once, it means you may be prone to developing new ones in other veins, so taking preventive measures can help mitigate your risks. Doing things like maintaining a healthy lifestyle, wearing compression stockings, taking breaks from prolonged sitting or standing, staying active, etc., can help reduce the risk of new varicose veins forming.
Are Varicose Veins Curable?
Varicose veins are curable in a way, using medical treatment to eliminate the damaged veins. There are many techniques that can be used to get rid of uncomfortable or unsightly varicose veins. The first step is to set up a consultation with the qualified vascular specialist at LESI and learn about your options. We will create the best treatment plan tailored to you and your circumstances that will alleviate discomfort and improve the appearance of your legs.
Can You Have Venous Insufficiency and not Have Varicose Veins?
Yes, it is possible to have venous insufficiency without developing varicose veins, so it is important to pay attention to any symptoms you may be experiencing. Your legs may feel heavy or achy, or you may have swelling, itchiness, or notice changes to your skin around your ankles even though your veins look normal. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor and set up an ultrasound exam so any issues that are not visible on the surface can be identified and treated if needed.
