If you are suffering from pain due to varicose veins, you should consider what you need to do to relieve these symptoms. Getting plenty of exercise, losing weight and not wearing tight clothing can keep your veins from getting worse. If you stand or sit a lot, adjust your working environment so that you are able to shift positions frequently. Even if you can just move or massage your legs it will help. If you are able to implement these changes, you can keep your this medical issue from getting worse.

But what about more invasive treatments that can get help you get rid of those embarrassing, and painful blue and purple lines?

If you don't respond to the self help therapy listed above or if your case is especially severe, your doctor may advise a more invasive procedure. Keep reading to discover what some of these treatments are.

Laser surgeries are being used to make the veins fade. Strong bursts of light are sent onto veins. This will fade them until they disappear. No needles or incision are required. Some laser surgeries are performed right in your doctors office, while other are performed as an outpatient.

Sclerotherapy is a procedure where the doctor injects a substance into medium or small problem vein and this substance will scar the vein and cause it close. Over time it will fade and disappear. This procedure may be performed more than once and it is very successful if done correctly and the problem area is not too complicated.

This procedure can be done right in the doctors office. Please note that it may take up to two years for them to totally fade or sometimes light blue or brown lines are left there permanently. These can easily be covered up with makeup specifically made for legs or if the area is small you can use a plain cosmetic concealer.

Catheter assisted procedure. This consists of a doctor inserting a catheter into the vein and then the tip is heated. As the catheter is pulled back out of the vein, the heat from the tip destroys it, which will cause it to collapse. This is the type of procedure that is typically done on larger problem areas.

Ambulatory phlebotomy is another procedure that your doctor may choose to use to get rid of your weakened veins. In this procedure, local anesthesia is used and tiny punctures are made in the skin. Your doctor will then remove the veins through these tiny holes. This is generally an outpatient procedure and only done on tiny veins.

If you have large varicose veins that are causing problems for you, your doctor may do a procedure called vein stripping. This is simply where the doctor will remove a large varicose vein through several small incisions. This is also an outpatient procedure but if your condition warrants it, a one or two day stay at the hospital may be recommended.

With an advanced case, that involves leg ulcers, you may need what is called endoscopic vein surgery. The surgeon will insert a small, thin tube with a camera into the leg to visualize and close off the affected veins. He can then remove these veins through small incisions in the leg.

Problem veins can recur after having them removed. The best way to prevent this from happening is to get exercise, watch what you eat and keep your weight at a healthy level. Varicose veins may not be life threatening, but they may be a sign of more serious health problems and they should be monitored very closely. In severe cases, the problem may become life threatening so if you are in doubt about your condition please check with your health care provider as soon as possible.