One in six men:       Are you the one!

Varicose veins and diseases of the deep leg vein system

The Bonn Vein Study  showed that one in six men already have varicose veins and diseases of the deep vein system.

 However, the topic of “vein disorders” is hardly known among men. A man may not be bothered by swollen legs, spider veins or varicose veins. Otherwise, venous diseases initially cause hardly any suffering. It is a delusion to believe that “what I do not feel does not exist”. As: If left untreated, vein disease can lead to pain, ulcerated legs, thrombosis and, in the worst case, to fatal pulmonary embolism.

Overcome prejudices and beat expectations – with medical compression stockings for men by medi

First things first: Men are not compression stocking moaners per se. They just don’t want you to see that they are wearing them

The specialists at medi develop products that offer the greatest possible benefit for patients. mediven active and mediven for men, for example, are two true champions: Both of these have been awarded the internationally renowned iF product design award. The stockings convinced the top-class jury in 2011 (mediven for men*) and 2013 (mediven active**) in the design, innovation, material and workmanship categories.

Medical men compression stockings by medi – technologically advanced

The therapy for venous disorders is very simple, functional and efficient, because: “Men” may not believe it, but: Medical compression stockings comprise (in contrast to support stockings from drugstores or discounters) sophisticated technology. At the heart of this technology is a highly-elastic thread which is processed into the compression stockings. The precisely applied pressure of this compression thread activates the function of the body’s own transport systems such as the return of blood to the heart: The stockings activate the calf muscle pumps with each leg movement and help the veins to pump blood around the body. 

Symptoms of venous insufficiency

Symptoms of venous insufficiency include:

• swelling of the legs or ankles (edema)
• pain that gets worse when you stand and gets better when you raise your legs
• leg cramps
• aching, throbbing, or a feeling of heaviness in your legs
• itchy legs
• weak legs
• thickening of the skin on your legs or ankles
• skin that is changing color, especially around the ankles
• leg ulcers
• varicose veins
• a feeling of tightness in your calves

How venous insufficiency is treated

Treatment will depend on many factors, including the reason for the condition and your health status and history. Other factors your doctor will consider are:

• your specific symptoms
• your age
• the severity of your condition
• how well you can tolerate medications or procedures

The most common treatment for venous insufficiency is prescription compression stockings. These special elastic stockings apply pressure at the ankle and lower leg. They help improve blood flow and can reduce leg swelling.

Compression stockings come in a range of prescription strengths and different lengths. Your doctor will help you decide what the best type of compression stocking is for your treatment.

Treatment for venous insufficiency can include several different strategies:

Improving blood flow

Here are some tips to improve your blood flow:

• Keep your legs elevated whenever possible.
• Wear compression stockings to apply pressure to your lower legs.
• Keep your legs uncrossed when seated.

Exercise regularly.

Medications

• There are also a number of medications that may help those who have this condition. These include:
• diuretics: medications that draw extra fluid from your body that is then excreted through your kidneys
• anticoagulants: medications that thin the blood
• pentoxifylline (Trental): a medication that helps improve blood flow

Surgery

Sometimes more serious cases of venous insufficiency require surgery. Your doctor may suggest one of the following surgery types:

Surgical repair of veins or valves

Removing (stripping) the damaged vein

Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery: The surgeon inserts a thin tube with a camera on it to help see and tie off varicose veins.

Vein bypass: A healthy vein is transplanted from somewhere else in your body. Generally used only in the upper thigh and only as a last option for very severe cases.

Laser surgery: A relatively new treatment that uses lasers to either fade or close the damaged vein with strong surges of light in a small, specific place.

Ambulatory phlebectomy

This outpatient procedure (you won’t have to spend the night in the hospital) involves your doctor numbing certain spots on your leg, and then making small pricks and removing smaller varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy

This treatment method is generally reserved for advanced venous insufficiency.

In sclerotherapy, a chemical is injected into the damaged vein so that it’s no longer able to carry blood. Blood will return to the heart through other veins, and the damaged vein will eventually be absorbed by the body.

Sclerotherapy is used to destroy small to medium veins. A chemical is injected into the damaged vein so that it’s no longer able to carry blood.

Catheter procedures

In severe cases, your doctor can use a catheter procedure for larger veins. They’ll insert a catheter (a thin tube) into the vein, heat the end of it, and then remove it. The heat will cause the vein to close and seal as the catheter is taken out.

How to prevent venous insufficiency

If you have a family history of venous insufficiency, you can take steps to lessen your chances of developing the condition:

• Don’t sit or stand in one position for long stretches of time. Get up and move around frequently.
• Don’t smoke, and if you do smoke, quit.
• Get regular exercise.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.