These treatments are ideal for soothing the discomfort and reducing the swelling caused by problem veins. Many times, at home treatments are all the treatment anyone needs. But sometimes problem veins progress beyond the help of self-treatment and demand medical attention. That is when the Dr. Ramon Castro and his team of vein experts at Chicago Vein Care Center step in. Keep reading to find out what you can do to alleviate swollen legs and ankles and when to see a specialist.
What can residents of Chicago, IL do to treat swollen legs and ankles themselves before seeking professional vein care?
- One of the most popular ways to reduce swelling in the lower body is by raising the legs above heart level. At elevation, gravity helps the trapped fluids fall away from your legs and ankles. You can do this by propping up your leg on a stack of pillows while you lie back and relax for around 20 minutes at night or several times throughout the day.
- Believe it or not, exercise helps the body get rid of excess fluid build up. Moving around increases the circulation in the legs and throughout the body. You may not feel like it, but take a walk or go for a swim for gentle exercise to get your heart pumping and the blood flowing.
- Eating salty foods can be disastrous for many aspects of your health, such as contributing to high blood pressure and heart disease, but sodium also holds on to water in your body. Keep in mind that many foods, especially processed foods, have high sodium content whether they taste salty or not. So drink plenty of water and always check the sodium content of anything you eat to help reduce fluid retention.
Compression. No matter if your swelling is caused by standing all day at work, sitting for hours on a long flight, or from a leg injury, you will likely benefit from compression stockings. These specially made socks are made of elastic fabric to soothe, massage and invigorate the legs and ankles, which promote circulation and helps reduce swelling, promote blood flow and tame bothersome symptoms of mild to moderate varicose veins.
When At-Home Treatments Aren’t Enough
If the conservative treatments aren’t working, or if your condition is becoming worse despite your best efforts, a Chicago vein specialist can help. Be wary that swelling in only one leg might signal a dangerous blood clot, so seek medical attention immediately. Once under a vein expert’s care, your doctor will perform a painless examination of your legs to determine whether or not your condition warrants more potent measures such as vein laser surgery.
While the thought of vein laser surgery can be terrifying, many patients are glad to know that most of the surgeries performed with vein laser in Chicago are actually simple and virtually painless. Unlike traditional surgery, endovenous laser ablation and other advanced laser techniques are minimally invasive outpatient procedures that require little to no downtime. This means treatment for faulty leg veins is actually quite fast, convenient and comfortable.
If you are in distress from swollen legs and ankles, you owe it to yourself to stop hurting and start living again! For more information on Chicago vein treatment at home or at a vein clinic, Chicago Vein Care Center is happy to assist you. Give us a call at 773-283-7887 to make an appointment or learn more by visiting www.yourveinexpert.com/.