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CHECK UP
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MISSED A PROGRAMME?
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PROGRAMME INFO |
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Check Up is your chance to talk to doctors about the health issues that most concern you and your family. Each week Barbara Myers is joined by a medical expert to take your calls and emails on a particular topic and give you the most up to date advice. No appointment necessary.
Call 0870 010 0444
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Contact Check Up |
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LISTEN AGAIN Ìý30 min |
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PRESENTER |
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"There is no substitute for one-to-one advice from aÌýtop medical expert and that's what we offer our callers and emailers. But for each person who calls to ask for help, someone else phones in to pass on a tip or a suggestion -Ìýit's a great programme to present."
Barbara Myers |
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PROGRAMME DETAILS |
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 Full programme transcript >>
Varicose Veins
In this week's edition of Check Up, Barbara Myers will be putting your questions about varicose veins to Prof. Bruce Campbell,ÌýConsultant Vascular Surgeon at the RoyalÌýDevon and Exeter Hospital.
Varicose veins appear when the valves in the vein become weak, causing blood to collect in the vein instead of being pumped back towards the heart.Ìý When a significant amount of blood has collected the vein becomes distended and swollen.
Varicose veins are most common in the legs, but they can also be present in the oesophagus,Ìý pelvis, uterus, and rectum - haemorrhoids are a type of varicose veins.
For a small proportion of sufferers, they can cause serious problems such as ulcers and blood clots.Ìý For others, their legs become achy and painful.Ìý However, for most people they are a cosmetic problem.
There are some simple self-help measures which can help to prevent varicose veins or stop them getting worse.Ìý These include avoiding long periods of standing or sitting, avoiding high-heels or tight clothing, taking extended rests with the legs elevatedÌýand losing weight.
If medical intervention is required, one treatment available is sclerotherapy, where a chemical irritant isÌýinjected into the vein which causes the vein walls to swell, stick together and seal shut.Ìý Eventually the vein will disappear.ÌýAlternative treatments include laser therapy or surgery.
Contact the Programme
Check UpÌýis your opportunity to ask an expert about the condition. If you have a question, contact us by calling 0870 010 0444 from 1.30pm - 3.30pm on the day of broadcastÌýor by emailing the programme - see 'Contact Check Up' link above.
Next Week
Next week’s topic is children's health problems. |
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RELATED LINKS
Radio 4: Woman's HourÌý- Varicose Veins
91Èȱ¬ Health: Ask the Doctor - Varicose Veins
91Èȱ¬ Health
The 91Èȱ¬ is not responsible for the content of external websites
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