Treating Varicose Veins

Although not a life-threatening condition, varicose veins can be an unpleasant medical concern that every 1 in 4 people between ages 35-80 faces at one point of his life. Previously, it was believed that varicose veins were merely a cosmetic problem and mostly women were suffering from it. However, it is not a gender-specific condition and, according to a growing number of doctors, those veins can cause more serious medical conditions such as blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.

The primary cause for varicose veins is genetics. Difficulties in blood circulation and anatomical structure of the veins can be hereditary. In this case, there are no options for its prevention. The next common reasons for varicose veins formation are pregnancy and significant weight gain. The extra weight puts pressure on the legs making it difficult for the veins to carry blood from the toes to the heart. Excessive exercise and jobs requiring prolonged staying on the legs are other causes for varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy

Treatment options for varicose veins vary based on the severity of the condition and particular needs of a patient. The most traditional way of treating varicose veins is sclerotherapy. It is a treatment of choice for treating smaller areas of veins. During this procedure, a special solution is injected directly into the vein. The solution causes the vein to swell and eventually rupture. This procedure causes scaring and forces blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein gets reabsorbed into local tissue and ultimately fades. It may take from three weeks to about three months for the body to completely absorb the damaged vein.

Foam Treatment

The other type of injection-based treatment is the foam treatment for varicose veins, which is another minimally invasive option to eliminate unsightly veins. In this version of sclerotherapy, the solution is mixed with a foam sclerosant, and after achieving the consistency of shaving cream, it is injected into a blood vessel to seal it. Compared to regular sclerotherapy, in the foam treatment for varicose veins, the sclerosing foam is more concentrated than liquid, and when injected into the vein, it allows the solution to come into contact with the entire vein wall. After the injection when the veins are closed, the blood reroutes itself through healthy veins, restoring more normal blood flow. The foam sclerotherapy is cost-effective since for the same area of treatment less product is used than in a traditional sclerotherapy session.

Endovenous Ablation

For treating larger areas of varicose veins, endovenous ablation treatment can be a decent choice. It involves either laser or radiofrequency energy to scorch and seal varicose veins in the legs. Although endovenous ablation is used mainly for cosmetic purposes, it can be used to help ease varicose vein-related symptoms such as aching, swelling, discoloration, inflammation or irritations of the skin. This procedure is generally safe and is less invasive than conventional surgery. The ablation treatment leaves virtually no scars.

Surgery

As a last resort when other treatment types are not an option, general surgery with removal of varicose veins might be suggested. The operation requires the use of general anesthesia. The healing process after varicose vein surgery takes longer than after traditional non-invasive treatments.

No matter what varicose vein treatment procedure the patient undergoes; it is highly suggested to follow aftercare recommendations of a doctor and take proper care of the treated area.