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Can varicose veins appear on testicles ?
Varicose veins can actually appear on testicles, they are called ‘varicoceles’. This pathology has nothing to do with the regular legs venous disorders. Varicoceles may lead to sterility with men and must then be removed.
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Are caft cramps signs that varicose veins will appear ?
Caft cramps may occur in case of venous insuffuciency but they only occur combined with other typical symptoms of the venous disease. Most of the time, caft cramps are due to the electrolyte or metabolism dysfunction like for instance a lack of calcium or magnesium.
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How can one find a specialist, efficient in the venous disorders field ?
Surgeons, interns, general practitioners and dermatologists specialized in the treatment of
varicose veins (phlebology).
- In Germany, these specialists are recognizable thanks to their medical sign on which is
written ‘vein specialists’
- In Austria dermatologists and angiologists are specialized in the venous disorders
field. However, a special designation doesn’t exist.
- In Switzerland, specialists are easily found as far as they are gathered under the
heading ‘venous disorders’ in the phone book. They distinguish themselves by belonging to the ‘SGP members’, i.e. members of the Swiss phlebology society which regularly gives them trainings and information in terms of venous disorders treatments.
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You have been feeling pains in your legs. Your legs are swelling, they itch and brown spots
appear. Are these the sign of an ulcer ?
A venous ulcer has many causes. A chronic venous insufficiency is most of the time an activating factor. It often happens when the treatment is not adapted. Independently, we are talking about varicose veins or post thrombotic syndromes. The vessels’ functioning is so disturbed that a stasis forms itself. Then an oedema appears and your skin aspect changes : at first a color change then it itches and eczema appears. Time passing, your skin hardens. A small wound or an inflammation due to a mosquito bite are enough to deteriorate your skin. An ulcer forms itself. These modifications appear little by little and can in most cases be resorbed with a treatment.
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Do thrombosis and pulmonary embolism frequently appear after a varicose veins surgery ?
No. However, a preventive deep examination is necessary to exclude potential damages of the
deep venous network. Risks of complication after a varicose veins surgery or a stripping are
way less important than after any other surgery because a strong compression bandage is
placed after each surgery and the patient is asked to exercise.
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What is the most efficient compression method after a serious thrombosis ?
In general, bandages are used as the first step in the treatment of a deep venous thrombosis. They are used until the oedema is absorbed. Measures can then be taken to wear compression stockings. The compression stockings have to be worn every day to avoid a venous stasis. In most cases knee-high support stockings are sufficient. It is rare that compression should go up to the groin . You can determine the model of compression you choose with your doctor (thigh-high support stockings or pantyhose). Support socks are only used for venous problems that occur on feet.
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Can we prevent their appearance ?
Yes, move ! To go from one point to another you had rather go by foot or by bike instead of
taking your car. Use the staircase rather than the lift. Practise a sport that would stimulate
your venous network like cycling, swimming, or walking. If you have no other choice than
standing up or sitting all day long at work, give yourself time to make few steps each hour.
Raise your legs and move as often as possible.
It is also recommended to shower your legs with cold water and to wear a slight compression
(class 1) for prevention.
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May one travel with aggravated venous disorders ? What are the rules to follow ?
Even if you suffer from a venous disease, you can obviously travel. For long distance trips, you had rather go by train or by car, the train allowing you to move along during the trip. A prolonged sitting station is harmful for your veins and may provoke a venous stasis. If you must or want to take your car anyway, it would be preferable not to drive yourself and to settle in the back seat with your legs raised. If you don’t have any other choice than driving, make sure to stop regularly and massage your legs. If you travel by plane, stand up and move as often as possible. Don’t forget to drink a lot.
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What is an ulcer treatment like ?
Before treating an ulcer, the causes have to be studied. An adapted treatment will then be prescribed. Your leg could only recover if the cause is treated. A chronic venous insufficiency is in most cases at the origin of an ulcer especially after an oedema accompanied with a colour change and a skin hardening. In this case the venous stasis problem has to be solved. Compression bandages are indicated and the patient has to move a lot. The lymphatic secretions are then absorbed by the bandage; your legs deflate faster. Any venous ulcer cures if it is treated with an adapted compression.
It is essential to avoid applying cream or powder on a wound because these substances provoke allergies and eczema and do not contribute to the cure. Never try and treat your ulcer by yourself applying a cream or a another product from your personal medicine chest !
An ulcer is to be treated by a doctor. It is the only way for hoping a recovery. A skin graft may contribute to a faster recovery; it is a minor ambulatory surgery under local anaesthesia. A hospitalization is not necessary.
As soon as the ulcer is cured, an adapted treatment is essential to avoid a relapse. You have to wear medical compression stockings everyday and for lifetime. It is the only way to avoid the appearance of a new venous stasis.
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Are varicose veins a danger for a pregnant woman ?
It is often that varicose veins appear during a pregnancy, but they usually disappear almost entirely after childbirth. According to the aera that varicose veins cover and the pain they provoke, it might be sensible to wear compression stockings for a while. In rare cases varicose veins could reach the groin which is unpleasant but involves no risks.
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Can varicose veins appear again ?
Today it is unfortunately impossible to control the heredity factor about the appearence of varicose veins. That’s why varicose veins can reappear even after a surgery or a sclerosis as far as predispositions or risk factors exist. However, varicose veins that have been treated never appear again but new ones can.
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Can women take the contraceptive pill or hormones when they have venous disorders ?
Hormonal preparations prescribed for women like the contraceptive pill or hormones for
menopause are very slightly measured out and are almost not harmful for the venous network.
But if you smoke a strong, risk of thrombosis exists. That’s why it is preferable in case of
venous insufficiency to give up hormonal preparations especially if you have another way of
contraception.
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Does the carrying of a strong compressive bandage prevent blood from circulating properly ?
The compressive treatment is a mechanical treatment which operates from the outside and exerts pressure reducing the sick veins’ calibre. The valves are close to each other again and carry out their function. The venous blood circulation increases, the ebbing is controlled and the stasis weakens. The venous circulation gets better. The compressive treatment has no effect on arteries.
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You have had varicose veins for a long time without any pain. Still, should you be treated ?
Varicose veins have consequences on your deep venous network and may have long term serious consequences as far as they disturb the blood circulation in your veins. A venous stasis then appears and changes your skin aspect (redness, brown spots…), a venous ulcer could form itself. The sooner varicose veins are treated, i.e. operated, the greater will be the chance for your venous network to regenerate itself, without the appearance of stasis. An operation as soon as possible is decisive. Otherwise, in most cases, there is only the carrying of compression stockings for life that could stop the formation of a venous ulcer. It is then too late to operate.
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May one go on smoking in case of venous disorders ?
Nicotine has no harmful consequences on the venous system. However, arteries and lungs are severely damaged. Smoking is bad for your health. Try to get rid of this habit.
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If you continually wear strong compression stockings, are your leg muscles weakened ?
Compression stockings and bandages have no negative effect on muscles. On the contrary : patients treated by compression have to move a lot. The leg musculature is thus mobilised and developped.
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Must patients with venous disorders follow some rules while they are on holidays ? Which
ones ?
Any activity that makes you move is allowed : jogging , walking, swimming, cycling etc……
It is preferable to avoid sunbathings that are harmful for the venous system. If you don’t
want to renounce sun, refresh your legs regularly : in a swimming-pool, in the sea or with a
water jet.
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When do varicose veins appear ?
Varicose veins can appear as soon as childhood, but it is especially at the adult age, after 20, that they appear, pregnancy being an activating factor.
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When you have a varicose veins surgery, some of your veins are removed. If at some point of the future, it is recommended that you have cardiac or artery surgery, will there be adequate veins left to properly perform the surgery ?
No. The new invasive methods only take out ‘sick’ veins. Varicose veins cannot be used for
heart surgery or leg arteries because their walls have been damaged and cannot support the
arterial network.
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Are saunas and high temperature baths allowed in case of venous disorders ?
Any excessive heat like saunas, thermal baths or sunbathings lead to veins dilatation and thus to a venous stasis. It is to avoid in case of venous insufficiency. If it is difficult for you to avoid because you consider that saunas stimulate your circulation and that thermal baths are efficient against rheumatism, make sure to reduce the time you dedicate to these baths, shower your legs with cold water, raise them and finally, move.
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Must one renounce tea or coffee because one suffers from venous disorders ?
No. Tea or coffee have no influence on a serious venous thrombosis or a post-thrombotic syndrome.
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After a deep veins thrombosis, must one wear compression stockings ?
It is unfortunately impossible to cure a thrombosis but consequences can be avoided by wearing compression everyday. It is important to wear bandages after a thrombosis until the oedema is absorbed (between one and two weeks). Afterwards compression stockings are worn for at least a year (in most cases knee-high support stockings are sufficient). Finally, an examination by a specialist is recommanded. In few cases the treatment by compression is interrupted. It is often that this treatment lasts for years or even for life to avoid the late consequences of the post-thrombotic syndrome. This may appear years later and degenerate into a venous ulcer.
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May one drink alcohol in case of venous disorders ?
Alcohol dilates veins, so they have to double their work. As far as alcohol is consumed with moderation there is no objection.
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