Varicose veins, Bye-Bye!
Millions are suffering from some form of venous disorder. While some seek treatment for cosmetic improvement, many seek relief from pain. Help is available.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They can be dark purple or blue, and look twisted and bulging. Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. They develop when valves in the veins that allow blood to flow toward the heart stop working properly. As a result, blood pools in the veins and causes them to get larger. Since most veins lie deep to the skin’s surface, vein disorders are not always visible to the naked eye. As a result, diagnostic ultrasound is often used to determine the cause and severity of the problem.
What are the risk factors of varicose veins?
- Age: The risk of varicose veins increases with age.
- Sex: Women are more likely to develop the condition. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, pre-menstruation, or menopause may be a factor.
- Family history: If other family members had varicose veins, there is a greater chance you will too.
- Obesity: Being overweight puts added pressure on your veins.
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time: Your blood doesn’t flow as well if you are in the same position for long periods.
How are varicose and spider veins treated?
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy
A sclerosing solution is injected into the vein that causes the vein wall to swell, stick together, and seal shut. This process stops the flow of blood, and the vein turns into scar tissue. In a few weeks, the vein should fade. The same vein may need to be treated more than once. Most patients can expect a 50-80% improvement after treatment.Sclerotherapy treatments do not eliminate diseased veins after one single treatment. Patients need to be compliant with the number of sessions that are recommended to obtain the best results.
Endovenous Ablation
Endovenous ablation shuts down a large, long vein by targeting heat energy inside the vein to seal it shut. This heat can be created with a laser, known as endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), or with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Both are the latest technologies and replace vein stripping procedures that had been used. EVLT and RFA are minimally invasive and highly effective. They are usually performed in a comfortable office setting.
Other advantages of endovenous laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation include:
- Treatment in less than an hour.
- Return to normal activities immediately.
- Up to 98 percent success rate.
- Immediate relief of symptoms.
- No general anesthesia or hospitalization.
- No scars.
