Pointers to take control of varicose veins

You may think that varicose veins are simply an unsightly fact of life that come with the onset of middle age. The happy news is that less-invasive, state-of-the-art techniques now reduce scarring and give you legs you'll gladly show off again. Here are some things you can try.

• Compression stockings to help the blood flow’s fight against gravity.
• Elevating the legs to improve blood flow back to the heart. Exercise and weight control also promote good blood flow.
• Herbal and nutritional supplements to help reduce inflammation and swelling.
• Surgical procedures to remove or collapse "problem" veins.

• Beware of female hormones The estrogen in birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can contribute to varicose and spider veins. If you're taking either of these, talk to your doctor about alternatives.
• Use a cover-up. Sometimes varicose veins are difficult to eradicate. If you can't get your limbs to look the way you'd like, try leg makeup or a self-tanning product.
• Pick a trustworthy practitioner. Lasering and using other techniques to eradicate veins can be tricky. Make sure your doctor has a good track record and is experienced in treating veins of your type.
• Raise the foot of your bed by five to 10 centimetres (two to four inches) so you can sleep with your feet higher than your head. You can do this by placing blocks under the end of the bed. This helps blood flow back to your heart.

There are methods that effectively neutralizes varicose veins and can get you back into wearing shorts without shame. Give them a try.