Have you ever seen a person with noticeable greenish or purplish veins in their legs? Perhaps, some of the veins are bulging underneath the skin. Varicose veins are a common condition in Singapore. It usually affects adult women, but men are not exempted.
People often associate varicose veins with age. Some think it is natural to develop varicose veins as they grow old. Although age is one of the risk factors for varicose and spider veins in Singapore, other things contribute to their onset.
And because varicose veins have somehow been normalised, people tend to ignore and learn to live with them. But should you ignore varicose veins in Singapore?
A Quick Varicose Vein Overview
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged, and bulging veins in the legs and ankles, although they can occur in any part of the body. These veins are usually green to purple.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins occur when the high blood pressure in the legs is present, affecting the superficial veins. The blood pressure in the lower limbs increases when the blood fails to flow back to the upper body due to gravity and lack of leg activity, resulting in the blood pooling in the legs.
When the blood pools in the legs, it weakens the vein walls, causing them to swell and increase in size, ergo the development of varicose veins and spider veins in Singapore.
Are varicose veins a serious condition?
Varicose veins are not a serious condition, especially spider veins; however, people with it may experience discomfort, including the heaviness of the legs, leg pain, frequent leg cramps, and skin rashes. Varicose veins in Singapore can also cause sores in the legs and ankles.
What are the treatments for varicose veins?
Varicose veins treatment in Singapore can be conservative, minimally invasive, and surgery.
Conservative treatment includes compression stockings and leg elevation. The two examples of minimally invasive varicose treatments are sclerotherapy and thermal ablation. Surgical treatments for varicose veins are vein stripping and microphlebectomy. You can choose any varicose and spider vein treatment in Singapore if the symptoms start to bother you.
Complications of varicose veins
Getting varicose vein treatment in Singapore is optional. As mentioned, it is not a serious medical condition; however, if left unmanaged, it could lead to severe complications that need immediate medical attention.
Here are some of the severe complications of untreated varicose veins:
Venous ulcers
Venous ulcers form when the blood pools increase the pressure on the skin, creating open wounds and sores. It is dangerous for people with diabetes.
Infection
Venous ulcers are prone to bacterial infection. Infection can make ulcers worse and trigger fever.
Bleeding
Varicose veins in Singapore mean your superficial veins are weakened and inflamed due to blood pooling. It also means that outside trauma and force can burst these veins easily, causing bleeding.
Blood clot
Deep venous thrombosis is blood clotting in the deep vein. This condition is life-threatening as it could lead to pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism happens when the clump of blood in the deep vein flows back to the upper body and eventually blocks the lung artery.
It is the patient’s discretion whether or not to get a treatment from a vein clinic in Singapore and prevent varicose veins from developing more severe complications. Regular checkups and getting treatment are always the best option.
But if you choose not to get treatment, you must alter your lifestyle and learn to live with varicose and spider veins in Singapore.
Living With Varicose Veins In Singapore
Usually, people who choose not to get minimally invasive and surgical treatment for varicose veins practise conservative treatment to ensure not to exacerbate the health condition more. They also learn to alter their lifestyle.
5 Tips For Daily Living With Varicose Veins In Singapore
1. Maintain a healthy weight.
Excess weight is one of the risk factors for varicose veins in Singapore. Excess weight adds pressure on the lower limbs, aggravating the swollen and inflamed veins. People with varicose veins must maintain a healthy weight to avoid exacerbating varicose veins.
2. Avoid food rich in sodium.
Sodium-rich or salty food encourages the body to accumulate and retain water. Fluid in the body, especially in the lower limbs, puts more pressure on the legs. Additionally, water weight adds to your overall body weight.
3. Compression garments.
People with varicose and spider veins in Singapore must get used to wearing compression stockings every day. Compression garments improve blood circulation in the lower limbs, preventing blood pooling.
4. Regular exercise.
Being active and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, such as sitting and standing for long periods, keeps your blood in the legs moving. Therefore, it prevents the blood from pooling, minimising discomfort due to varicose veins in Singapore.
5. Avoid wearing tight clothes.
Wearing tight jeans, elastic knee socks, and tight belts squeeze your legs and superficial veins under the skin, eventually restricting your blood from flowing back to your upper body. Choose to wear loose and baggy pants, trousers, and shorts.
5 Tips For Travelling With Varicose Veins In Singapore
1. Flex your feet.
During a long-distance journey that involves prolonged sitting, it is important to flex your feet and toes from time to time to keep the blood flowing. If possible, have a quick stopover to walk around. You can also pace the plane aisle to exercise your legs.
2. Drink plenty of water.
Water keeps your skin elastic and prevents your veins from contracting. It prevents your varicose and spider veins from worsening in Singapore.
3. Recline your seat.
If possible, try reclining your seat. Elevating your legs helps make it easier for the blood to flow to the upper body from the lower limbs.
4. Clear your legroom.
Choose a plane or car seat with plenty of legroom. Additionally, avoid filling it with your bag or other staff. Spacious legroom makes it easier to stretch, flex, and elevate your legs freely.
5. Take doctor-prescribed blood thinners.
Ask your doctor if you are free to take blood thinners before travelling. Blood thinners reduce the chance of blood clotting, which could be helpful for people with DVT and varicose veins in Singapore.
Conclusion
It is possible to live with varicose veins in Singapore as long as you change your lifestyle and you consult your doctor regularly.
Cheng SC Vein and Endovascular
Get varicose and spider vein treatment in Singapore at Cheng SC Vein and Endovascular Clinic.
