Take heart; within three months of childbirth, the majority of all kinds of varicose veins (along with varicose veins on the legs, we are also talking about hemorrhoids and varicosities of the vulva and labia), are either, gone, going, getting better, or changing for the better! Meanwhile, just remember to take just a little time each day for yourself, and take advantage of some of these ideas to help Mom feel better!

Especially if you also had an episiotomies, soaking that whole region will give you relief from swelling, pain, and itch. You can do it in a basin as a sitz bath, or in the bathtub. If it’s OK with your doc, you might add a bit of chamomile to the bathtub. Actually, a couple bags of chamomile tea thrown in while the tub is filling make a no-mess disposal later. (Especially if you shop at the warehouse kind of supermarket, or a supermarket that has its own health food sections with herbs and herbal teabags in the serve it yourself barrels, you will find that the healing herbs you are looking for are very often put into teabags. Buying the bulk teabags will save money and you will not need to buy a large amount of an herb when you don’t need it.) Soak for as long as you can, and try to relax as completely as possible. Compresses for your tender parts can be made in the same way, with the teabags instead of bulk herbs. The compresses may be warm or cold, whichever method affords the most relief.

When you find the time to sit down, try to elevate your legs and buttocks. Sleep with your feet elevated, if possible.

For your hemorrhoids, try to keep your stool soft. There will be less straining, which is very hard on you. Drink prune juice, drink lots and lots of water (another thing that will be of benefit for several reasons!), get lots of bran down you and eat dried figs, peaches, etc.).

Vulvar and labial varices are benefited by a lot of the hints we have given you already, but the thing that they need the most is support. The more support, the less pain! Some new moms wear bicycling shorts. There is a kind of support garment you can buy online that supports well. Some women find wearing several sanitary napkins at one time provide firmness.

By far the most out there of the suggestions seems to not only work quite well, but might even be a fond memory between the parents. It is said that a jock strap can hold a large sa

Surgical treatment of varicose veins may be indicated for several different reasons: cosmetic, when severe symptoms of throbbing and tenderness occur, or when medical complications happen like bleeding, a blood clot, or a traumatized vein that is tender and inflamed.

Prevention is available in the form of diet, exercise, wearing support hose and rest.

Surgical Procedures:

Exploratory surgery: this is done to locate veins below the surface and involves making a 3-4cm incision in the groin or just below the knee. Surgery is then performed to correct the cause of the varicose vein.

Vein stripping:

This is done to reduce the risk of future recurrence of the varicosity.

Surgical removal of the vein:

Larger varicose veins are removed. This may leave scarring. A determination may need to be done between the cosmetic benefits of removing the vein and any resultant scarring from the surgery.

Sclerotherapy:

This involves injecting a substance (usually sclerosant) into the vein. The solution causes the walls of the vein to adhere to each other. The vein does not receive blood flow and fades. Sometimes there is brown staining on the skin following this procedure. If the solution is injected outside the vein or leaks to the tissue outside of the vein a skin ulcer may result.

Prevention:

If there is a family history of varicose veins, you are overweight, have a sedentary job, stand a lot, or are pregnant; you may wish to consider preventative measure for varicose veins.

It is possible to minimize or reduce your risk for varicose veins by following the tips below:

During pregnancy ask your obstetrician about wearing compression support hose to help blood flow and to take the pressure off of your veins.

Compression support hose can also help those who stand for long periods of time. These special hose can be purchased by prescription only as they must be fitted to your legs.

Constipation can add to the pressure on your lower body, so making sure that you avoid constipation by way of diet and exercise will be beneficial. A good diet to follow is one where plenty of fiber, water and vitamins C and E are taken. Ask your medical professional for advise on diet and vitamin supplements.

Exercise that strengthens legs is advised. These exercises can be done while sitting or standing. Ask your physician to advise you. You may be referred to a physical therapist for further instruction. Walking, running and swimming are all good leg strengthening exercises.

Standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time can aggravate leg blood flow. It is important to take frequent breaks where you can elevate your legs or stretch them. If standing for long periods of time, try shifting your weight from one leg to the other. There are exercises you can do such as tiptoe and release, flexing or bending your legs, rotating your feet and lifting your legs.

Any kind of activity that exercises the legs is good. Make the choice to take the stairs instead of riding the elevator. Walk short distances instead of driving. Walk the dog after work.

One out of three Americans over age 45 has vein disease. Some of those who suffer do not know why they are suffering or exactly what it is that is wrong with their legs. They feel that their legs are tired or that their legs feel heavy. They may experience ankles that swell for unknown reasons. If these symptoms persist and they become uncomfortable enough they may seek medical advise. Others will wait until they see more visible signs of a problem with their veins like gnarled rope-like swollen veins that are painful or hot to the touch. These veins are indeed having problems and need medical attention. It is important that everyone know what to look for as well as how to keep legs healthy.

Your leg veins have a tough job of pumping blood back from the feet to the heart. To do this they have to flow against gravity all the way from the feet to the heart. When vein walls and the valves in them become weak the blood can start back flowing or pooling and this is what causes the symptoms of vein disease.

The pooling of blood in the vein and in surrounding tissue can cause skin discoloration and also open sores, which are called leg ulcers. These ulcers can be serious even to the point of being life-threatening when they include the presence of blood clots. When veins are weakened they cause discomfort, you may also feel drained of energy and everyday tasks may be affected. If you notice your ankles swelling, or leg pain and or just plain tired legs or lack of energy, the culprit could very well be vein disease.

Signs to look for:

Heavy feeling in the legs

Numbness or a tingling feeling in your legs

Experiencing leg pain after prolonged sitting or standing

The appearance of spider veins

Burning or cramping in your feet or legs

Discoloration of the skin on legs or feet

Open leg ulcers anywhere on the lower legs

A history of leg problems with other family members

Causes

Pregnancy
Vein damage can occur during a normal pregnancy. Blood volume increases during pregnancy and the veins are required to do more work than normal to carry this extra blood from the lower regions back up to the heart so that it can be reoxygenated. Any damage done during pregnancy because of this extra workload is permanent.

Age
As we age our veins weaken.

Weight
Extra weight can put pressure on legs and veins.

Heredity

Vein disease can be inherited. If you know there is someone in your family history who has suffered from vein disease it is important that you learn early how to care for your legs to help keep them healthy longer.

Varicose ulcers point to underlying medical conditions and underlying medical conditions that might have varicose ulcers as a complication; that’s pretty clear, isn’t it? Varicose ulcers, then, are really a big fat symptom then, isn’t it, coming and going, an outcome, an artless guest to the party who keeps pointing at the eight hundred pound gorilla in the room.

A skin ulcer, therefore, that points to the missing loss of skin, the ulcer, therefore who sits right on top of the veins. Usually aching leads to cramping, to itching, to skin staining to eczema to finally, the ulcers. They can be very painful; can bleed and become infected. Most ulcers can be healed. The key is to put a pressure bandage of some kind on the underlying veins, in other words, squeeze the veins with bandages, and in sixteen weeks the ulcer can be vanquished. Every week the bandage can be changed and the ulcer needs to be measured to make sure that it is healing. If the ulcer is on the leg, knee, or ankle, the most straightforward cure would be simply going to bed and putting the feet up.

Now the clot, or thrombus, is a craftier little devil who likes to hide to do its mischief. The thrombus forms in the larger veins deep within the leg. Undetected, deep vein thrombosis can lead to a pulmonary embolism, which is an obstruction of a blood vessel in the lungs, usually as a clot. If it blocks the pulmonary artery can be very serious and in some cases, fatal.

Yes, the clot can interfere with the blood flow, or break off and travel through the bloodstream (embolize). Traveling clots can wind up in the lung, as stated, but it can also head for the brain and heart just as well.

Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein often caused by prolonged inactivity such as a long flight or travel, or during extended bed rest. This is when a clot may form. Certain types of cancer, paralysis or use of the hormone estrogen may also cause phlebitis.

It almost seems anticlimactic to introduce the last vein-y denizen of the leg, the humble spider vein. This one, unlike his larger brethren, doesn’t pose a health threat, but still does its largely emotional damage. This network of tiny vessels is akin to a spider’s web, and that is how it got its name. The Telangiectasia is seen on the face, and the Arborising Telangiectasia is the good neighbor to the south that inhabits the legs and thighs