With the holidays just around the corner, it’s the busiest travel season of the year. As families and friends gather, millions will be hitting the road or heading to the skies to reach their holiday destinations. For those with varicose veins, however, long periods of sitting, whether in a car or on a plane, can exacerbate leg discomfort and increase the risk of complications.
Extended immobility affects blood circulation, particularly in the legs, which can worsen symptoms like leg pain, swelling, and cramping. At The Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City, we understand the challenges for those with vein conditions, so we put together some travel tips to help you stay comfortable and keep circulation flowing.
Travel Tips for Varicose Vein Relief
Car Travel Tips:
Take Frequent Breaks: On road trips, make it a point to stop every 1-2 hours. Step out, stretch, and walk around. This movement helps pump blood through your veins, reducing the risk of clotting and alleviating leg discomfort.
Stretch in Your Seat: If you can’t stop frequently, try simple stretches while seated. Flex and point your toes, rotate your ankles, and even lift and lower your legs to keep blood circulating.
Wear Compression Stockings: Compression stockings can offer gentle pressure to the legs, which can aid in circulation and prevent blood from pooling in the lower limbs. Choose knee-high compression socks designed to support veins, especially during long trips.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can thicken your blood, increasing the risk of blood clots. Keep a water bottle within reach and aim to drink regularly throughout your journey.
Air Travel Tips:
Move Every Hour: Even though airplane seats are cramped, try to walk up and down the aisle every hour or so. This movement activates your calf muscles, which are essential for healthy blood flow.
Elevate Your Feet if Possible: If the seat next to you is empty, prop your feet up to help blood return to the heart more easily. This can prevent swelling and reduce discomfort in your lower legs.
Pack Compression Socks: Like with car travel, compression socks can make a big difference on flights. They help keep blood moving and prevent swelling, even on long flights.
General Tips for Healthy Circulation While Traveling:
Avoid Tight Clothing: Restrictive clothing, particularly around the waist, thighs, and calves, can inhibit blood flow. Choose loose, comfortable clothing for a long journey.
Exercise Regularly Before and After Travel: Preparing your body with physical activity before travel can stimulate circulation and make long periods of sitting less taxing. Once you reach your destination, a quick walk or some light stretching can offset some of the sitting effects.
Elevate Your Legs at Night: After a day of travel, lie down and prop your legs up with a pillow. This can ease any swelling and help blood flow back to your upper body, giving your veins a rest.
Varicose Vein Treatment Options at Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City
If varicose veins are making travel and daily life uncomfortable, it may be time to consider treatment. At The Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City, we offer a variety of effective vein treatment options to eliminate or reduce varicose veins, relieve discomfort, and improve circulation. Here’s an overview of our treatments:
Ablation and Sclerotherapy
With ablation and sclerotherapy, problem veins are intentionally damaged to cause them to close, allowing blood to reroute to healthier veins. The body then absorbs the closed veins as waste, leaving the skin smoother and circulation improved. Dr. Barbieri will assess your specific condition and recommend the most effective treatment for you.
Types of Ablation Treatments:
Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA): RFA uses temperature-controlled radio-frequency energy to heat the vein wall, causing it to shrink and close. Over time, the body reabsorbs the treated vein, naturally clearing it away. This outpatient treatment is minimally invasive, leaves no scars, and typically requires under two hours per treatment.
Laser Vein Ablation: This technique uses laser energy instead of radiofrequency. A laser fiber is inserted into the vein, and as it is slowly removed, it heats the vein, causing it to close and be absorbed by the body.
Varithena Chemical Ablation: When certain veins are not treatable with RFA or laser ablation, Varithena chemical ablation is an excellent alternative. With this procedure, a specialized chemical foam is injected into the vein, causing it to collapse and shrink.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a chemical solution into varicose veins, which causes the vein walls to stick together and seal shut. This treatment is often used for surface veins that don’t respond well to ablation.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
For those with large, bulging surface veins, ambulatory phlebectomy may be the best solution. Unlike ablation, this procedure physically removes the problematic veins through tiny punctures. It’s performed under local anesthetic in our office and typically takes 1-2 hours, with minimal downtime after. Patients can resume regular activities almost immediately and enjoy long-lasting relief from leg pain and swelling.
Why Choose Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City?
Varicose vein treatments at our clinic are outpatient, quick, and require minimal downtime. Dr. Barbieri and our expert, compassionate staff make the entire experience as pleasant as possible. With the options available at Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City, you don’t have to suffer from the discomfort of varicose veins during travel or any other activity. Whether your veins ache, itch, or cause swelling, our treatments offer lasting relief so you can focus on living your life comfortably. Don’t let varicose veins hold you back this holiday season. Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Barbieri to find out which treatment is right for you and take the first step toward healthier, pain-free legs.