Non-Medical Options for Managing Varicose Veins

Non-medical treatment of varicose veins

Approximately 20 percent of the adult population will develop varicose veins. And often patients tell us they are looking for non-medical options. Either because they are not ready for medical treatment. Or a doctor has advised that their varicose veins are not causing immediate concern, therefore medical treatment can be delayed. However, this doesn’t mean…

Vulvar Varicosities: How to Manage Varicose Veins of the Vulva

Pregnancy and varicose veins

Pregnant women don’t often speak about vulvar varicosities, or varicose veins of the vulva. But they should. It is estimated that between 4 percent and 10 percent of women will develop vulvar varicosities during pregnancy, although the actual figure is most likely to be much higher with many women not developing any symptoms, or being…

Varicose Vein Symptoms

Woman with sore legs

Although knowing the exact cause of your varicose veins can be difficult to pinpoint, many of the symptoms will cause significant discomfort and are therefore much easier to identify. If you are experiencing any aching, heaviness or swelling in your legs – there is a chance your symptoms are due to varicose veins. First, what…

Varicose Veins in Pregnancy: Tips for Prevention, Symptoms and Treatment

Pregnant woman doing yoga

Varicose veins during pregnancy are quite common. In fact, up to half of pregnant women will get varicose veins and they tend to intensify with each subsequent pregnancy. The condition is often hereditary — if your mother or father had them it’s possible you may experience them too. The prevalence of varicose veins in pregnancy…

Can Varicose Veins Come Back After Treatment?

Photo by RUN 4 FFWPU from Pexels

The chances of your varicose veins coming back after treatment depends on the type of treatment you had. For example, endovenous ablation is proven to be excellent  at treating varicose veins, with very successful long term results. The likelihood of veins coming back from the vein that has been treated is very low, between 2…

Do Men Suffer From Varicose Veins?

Healthy Veins on Male

Men’s Leg Health: almost 30 percent of Australian men suffer from varicose veins. Often when young men think of varicose veins, they think of their Mum or Grandma. And with pregnancy, the contraceptive pill and menopause high among the possible causes, it’s easy to see why there is a misconception that varicose veins only effect…

Damaged Vein Valves and How They Impact Your Health

shutterstock_351197441-min

When your vein valves are functioning properly you don’t even know they’re there. But when they are damaged, a condition called Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) can occur. If you’ve ever wondered what causes varicose veins, it’s most likely due to CVI, a type of vein disorder where the vein valves in your legs become damaged,…

Exercise and Varicose Veins: Here’s What you Need to Know

Exercise and stretching can help reduce pain from varicose veins

Vein doctors are often asked by their patients about exercise – can exercise help reduce, or cure, varicose veins? Or does exercise make varicose veins even worse?  If you already suffer from varicose veins then there are exercises which may ease your symptoms, however unfortunately exercise alone cannot cure varicose veins. For those looking for…

Treating Spider Veins vs Treating Varicose Veins

Endovenous Laser Ablation

Treatment of veins has advanced over the last decade, the treatments offered by Australia’s leading vein specialists are using laser to treat both spider veins and varicose veins. So how are each of the laser treatments different? There are a few types of laser treatments your vein specialist will recommend, depending on the type and…

Difference between a Phlebologist, Vein Specialist and Vascular Surgeon

Doctor inspecting leg veins

When seeking any medical treatment, it is important to know your doctor is qualified. As there are a few types of doctors in Australia who treat varicose veins, it’s therefore important to understand their experience, qualifications and capability. A starting point might be to look at: Specialty of the doctor, Level of training in the…

What is Phlebitis?

Three doctors looking at ultrasound results

Phlebitis, a serious venous inflammation, is caused when the blood vessel walls are damaged. This damage can be caused by injury, trauma or infection to your veins. Unlike varicose veins, which occur in your legs, phlebitis can occur in your arms also. The condition can cause pain and irritation, as it prevents proper circulation. Varicose…

Can Essential Oils Treat Varicose Veins?

Essential oils

Those who suffer from the discomfort of varicose veins have no doubt looked for an alternative treatment to surgery. A popular choice to ease the symptoms are essential oils, but do they treat varicose veins?  The underlying cause of varicose veins are faulty valves, which fail to push the blood from your legs to your heart…

Is Surgery the Only Option for Varicose Veins?

Doctors performing varicose vein surgery

If you have varicose veins, you’ve likely heard about stripping, the traditional method of surgery to remove varicose veins. Stripping, for a long time, was considered the most effective way to remove varicose veins, despite the recovery time required. The procedure has been performed for over a century, but has continuously developed with the advancements…

Spider Veins vs. Varicose Veins – Recognizing the Difference

Man hiking

While spider veins and varicose veins have some similarities, they also have some distinct differences. They can both make people feel self conscious and prevent you from looking your best. But there are also some important differences between the two conditions that you should be aware of. Differences Varicose Veins Large 4-5 mm in diameter…

7 Common myths about varicose vein causes

Medical office - middle-aged male doctor greeting patient, shaking hands.

Are you concerned about varicose veins? Have you heard conflicting advice? There is a lot of different information available and understandably, it can all get a bit confusing. Considering that varicose veins will affect an estimated 20% of all adults at some point in their lives, its time to put some of the misconceptions to…

Can High Heels Cause Varicose Veins?

A woman sitting on a black couch trying to wear different high heels. This is a header image about high heels that causes varicose veins by The Vein Institute.

Its no secret that high heels are a fashion accessory adored by many, but have you ever wondered if there are any side affects to wearing them? Unfortunately, there is. They can contribute to poor posture, ankle pain, joint pain in your neck and back and believe it or not, high heels can cause varicose…

Could Your Job Be Increasing Your Varicose Veins Risk?

Hairdressers fixing their clients' hair which shows they are at risk of developing varicose veins due to always standing and it can be treated at The Vein Institute.

    There are many factors can increase your risk for varicose veins. The most important of these are heredity (having a family history of vein disease), age (being over 50), gender (women are more at risk than men), pregnancy, and being overweight. But did you know that one of the things that can greatly…

How Are Varicose Veins Are Different To Normal Veins?

A woman on a seashore splashing the sea water. A featured image of The Vein Institute blog page and describes how varicose veins are different to normal veins.

  Often times when people have varicose veins, the thing they are most worried about is their appearance. The real concern, as most doctors know, is actually the health issues that can occur. If left untreated, varicose veins will not only continue to be unsightly and painful, but may also develop into a medical risk.…

Varicose Veins and Long-Haul Travel – Know the Risks

Couple walking on a sand bar in an all-white attire. This is a header image for The Vein Institute's blog about

Australians love to travel, in 2018 alone over 10.5 million intrepid travellers left our shores to explore the globe.  And given the long distances that separate Australia from other countries, most of these travellers face long haul travel times, during which they will be sitting immobile in possibly cramped seats.       Today’s smaller…

Can Leg Pain Be Caused by Varicose Veins?

Woman on a couch squeezing her leg showing that she is suffering from leg pain caused by varicose veins which can be treated at The Vein Institute.

Many patients come to see us at The Vein Institute complaining about chronic leg pain. Upon examination, we often find that their legs are covered with varicose veins. But when we ask, “Have you ever considered the possibility that varicose veins may be the cause of your leg pain?” the answers is always the same:…

How VenaSeal Treatment for Varicose Veins works

A woman leaning against a wall and wearing a sport shoes. This is a header image of one of The Vein Institute's blogs about venaseal treatment for varicose veins.

Are you suffering from varicose veins? Or perhaps you’re looking for non-intrusive treatment options that do not include surgery? VenaSeal treatment maybe an option for you.   What Is VenaSeal Treatment? VenaSeal treatment is currently the newest and most advanced treatment method for varicose veins. This vein treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that introduces…

5 Things You Need To Know Before You Have Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins.

Close-up of a laser used for varicose vein treatment. This is a header image for The Vein Institute's blog about

Laser for varicose veins doesn’t refer to skin laser treatments but rather what is known as “endovenous”. This simply means that doctors actually insert a laser tip into your vein. It won’t hurt as it’ll be done under a local anaesthetic. The procedure is performed if you require your varicose veins to be treated and…

Varicose Eczema and Relief for Itchy Veins

Close-up of a woman's legs with varicose eczema and itchy veins at The Vein Institute clinic.

In previous posts we discussed common symptoms of varicose veins – from pain and heaviness, to swelling and discolouration. However, one lesser known side-effect to vein disease is itchiness. Patients often complain of the skin around the damaged vein feels irritated and itchy. This due to a condition called Varicose Eczema, or Stasis Dermatitis. How…

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Treating Your Veins

Two men in a formal attire sitting on a black chair,reading a newspaper and browsing on the phone. This is a header image for The Vein Institute's blog about

You may be concerned about the way your varicose veins look. But whether they are purple, swollen or lumpy, one thing is for certain: they could be affecting your circulation and causing your body harm. Despite your veins making you feel self-conscious, the important thing is that you treat varicose veins correctly. Treatment may reduce…