Question 1

Can I prevent varicose veins by exercising or following a certain diet?

Accepted Answer

There is no diet, nor any form of exercise, to prevent the development of varicose veins. Being overweight, however, can be an additional risk factor in the development of complications. Sport itself is healthy for the whole organism and for patients with varicose veins in particular (e.g. jogging and swimming), especially if done in a moderate way it can delay the onset of symptoms.

Question 2

Do I get varicose veins from sitting with my legs crossed?

Accepted Answer

When one sits with one's legs crossed for an extended period of time, one can sometimes get a "dormant" feeling in the leg because this position puts temporary pressure on the deeper lying blood vessels and nerves in the knee area of the upper leg. That this would in any way cause or aggravate varicose veins has never been proven.

Question 3

Will I be permanently free of varicose veins treatment, surgical or otherwise ?

Accepted Answer

With varicose veins, hereditary predisposition plays an important role. Therefore, it can often recur no matter what kind of treatment one uses. A regular (best annually) checkup is therefore advisable if you want to enjoy lifelong healthy and good looking legs.

Question 4

Do I have to go to the hospital for a varicose vein operation (stripping) to be treated under general anesthesia (or with a spinal puncture)?

Accepted Answer

For more than 20 years we operate all our patients on an outpatient basis (out of the hospital!) and under local anesthesia; after a brief period of observation you can leave painless our clinic walking.

Question 5

Because of my excess weight, I get varicose veins. Should I lose weight?

Accepted Answer

In obese people, varicose veins can lead more frequently to serious complications, such as thrombosis or phlebitis. Also, in obese legs, the varicose veins remain hidden under the skin for a longer period of time and therefore remain often undiagnosed until very late.

Question 6

Are compression stockings only worn by elderly women?

Accepted Answer

Many young people with standing jobs (for example, surgeons and nurses in the operating room) and without a predisposition to varicose veins, nevertheless  wear therapeutic elastic stockings during working time. After the job, they take off the stockings and still have feather-light legs.

Question 7

I dare not wear therapeutic elastic stockings for fear of not being able to live without them anymore.

Accepted Answer

On the contrary, if you feel less tired with a therapeutic elastic stocking and the legs are less painful, it only means that there is still a significant problem in the venous blood flow. A thorough examination and treatment are then necessary so that the stocking eventually may become unnecessary.

Question 8

Is it true that varicose veins should not be treated during summertime?

Accepted Answer

Of course, everyone wants to enjoy the holidays during summertime without worry and will try to avoid wearing ‘hot’ bandages as much as possible. However, you may as well undergo treatment in warm weather.

Question 9

Is injecting varicose veins painful?

Accepted Answer

Properly performed sclerotherapy is quick and virtually painless. Some fluids may occasionally cause a brief burning sensation, but this disappears immediately once you start walking.

Question 10

Is the injected fluid harmful to my body?

Accepted Answer

These fluids have been used worldwide without any problems for more than 50 years. The effective ingredients are a derivative from alcohol or glycerin and work very locally at the injection site.

Question 11

Is it true that surgery is more difficult after sclerosing injections?

Accepted Answer

During our 25-plus years of experience, surgery after sclerotherapy has never been a problem.

Question 12

Can surgery or sclerotherapy cause new varicosities, as the venous bloodflow may have to find another way out ?

Accepted Answer

Due to poorly closing valves inside the veins, the blood circulates in the opposite direction: that is, from between the muscles towards the surface under the skin. When these diseased pieces of vein (including valves) are removed, the blood resumes its original direction of flow. There is therefore no question of "looking for a new way out". Indeed, due to the strong hereditary predisposition, varicose vein disease will have a lifelong tendency to recur. This is why a yearly check-up is so important, because the phlebologist can then detect new valve lesions at an early stage and also treat them much more easily.

Question 13

The phlebologist injects only the diseased veins of the superficial venous system. This will in fact protect the healthy veins and the deep venous system. Thus, properly performed sclerocompression therapy is the best guarantee for a lifetime with healthy and beautiful legs.

Accepted Answer

On the contrary, if you feel less tired with a therapeutic elastic stocking and the legs are less painful, it only means that there is still a significant problem in the venous blood flow. A thorough examination and treatment are then necessary so that the stocking eventually may become unnecessary.

Question 14

Is it true that it only makes sense to have my varicose veins treated after my last pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

As mentioned above, the risk of complications increases when varicose vein disease is allowed to spread. Therefore, starting 3 months after delivery, we recommend a check-up. More varicose veins appear during pregnancy anyway, but: the better prepared one is, the fewer problems occur later.

Question 15

Am I too old to have my varicose veins treated?

Accepted Answer

Our oldest patient was over 90 ‘springs young’. A good phlebological approach provides relief without problems into very old age.

Question 16

Is it wise to treat my varicose veins only when I am suffering from them?

Accepted Answer

Due to hereditary predisposition, the varicose veins will keep expanding and finally the diseased veins affect the healthy ones. The burden is not always proportional to what can be seen on the surface. However, the risk of complications increases in time. Therefore, it is better to start adequate treatment as early as possible.

Phlebological centre Antwerp

FAQ