TOP LIST OF TREATMENTS FOR VARICOSE VEINS
Varicose veins arise when small valves inside the veins become fragile and stop flowing blood backward through the veins. Since the blood gets accumulated in the veins, they look twisted and swollen. Generally, varicose veins are blue or purple in appearance; they also often swell out from the underlying skin.
Some other symptoms of varicose veins include:
Some other symptoms of varicose veins include:
- Dry or itchy skin that looks thinner over the varicose vein
- Painful legs that also feel achy or heavy
- Swelling in ankles and feet
- Throbbing or burning sensation in the legs
- Muscle cramps that are more visible at night
TREATMENTS FOR VARICOSE VEINS
A report reveals that varicose veins affect around 20 percent of all adults at some point in their lives. Enlarged and twisted varicose veins often cause itching, discomfort, and pain. Luckily, a myriad of medical and home-based treatments are available to cure varicose veins.
We will explain different treatments available for varicose veins, but before that, let’s find out how varicose veins are diagnosed.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with a physical exam. Your doctor will take a look at your legs while you’re standing to notice if any swelling is there. Your doctor may ask you to explain aching or pain in the legs you are experiencing.
You may also need an ultrasound test to see whether or not the valves in your veins are functioning normally. It helps your doctor find out if there is any sign of a blood clot in your veins. Ultrasound is a non-surgical test; a specialist runs a transducer (a hand-held device) over your skin that transmits the images of your veins to a monitor.
We will explain different treatments available for varicose veins, but before that, let’s find out how varicose veins are diagnosed.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with a physical exam. Your doctor will take a look at your legs while you’re standing to notice if any swelling is there. Your doctor may ask you to explain aching or pain in the legs you are experiencing.
You may also need an ultrasound test to see whether or not the valves in your veins are functioning normally. It helps your doctor find out if there is any sign of a blood clot in your veins. Ultrasound is a non-surgical test; a specialist runs a transducer (a hand-held device) over your skin that transmits the images of your veins to a monitor.
VARICOSE VEINS TREATMENTS
Usually, treatments for varicose veins do not require a patient to stay in a hospital for a long – all credit goes to the less invasive method. Generally, varicose veins are treated on an outpatient basis.
Laser Treatment
In this procedure, a surgeon uses laser light to treat varicose veins. It is considered an ideal treatment for most patients because of its fast recovery period. The heat coming from laser light damages the affected vein that helps scar tissue to form, which closes the vein. When a closed vein cuts from its blood source, it starts dying naturally. The veins may take year or two to be disappeared completely.
There are two types of laser treatments available: endovenous and simple.
Simple laser treatment is performed on the outside of your skin to treat small varicose veins while endovenous laser treatment is capable of treating large varicose veins. However, in both treatments, you can expect to have a speedy recovery.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is another medical procedure used to eliminate varicose veins. This proven procedure has been used since 1930. The therapy involves injecting a salt solution directly into the vein. The solution then disturbs the lining of the blood vessel, helping it collapse, stick together, and the blood to clot.
Before this therapy, you will have a consultation with a vascular specialist who will decide whether or not you are the right candidate for this procedure. Usually, the treatment is given in the doctor’s office. After therapy, you won’t be allowed to do any aerobic activity for a few days.
Foam Sclerotherapy
It is a minimally invasive treatment to eliminate varicose veins. In this procedure, your doctor will inject a foam sclerosant in the blood vessels to close them. The blood will then reroute itself through healthy veins and restore normal blood flow. The difference between sclerotherapy and foam sclerotherapy is, with foam sclerotherapy; the air is mixed with the sclerosing agent to achieve a consistency that is similar to shaving cream.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
This outpatient procedure is an ideal choice for treating both symptomatic and asymptomatic superficial veins. Generally, it is performed on the large veins that swell above the skin. In rare cases, it may use for small veins.
The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia, and the patient does not experience any pain during treatment. Bulging veins are surgically eliminated, segment by segment, through small incisions.
Your doctor may advise you to wear stocking for a few days after surgery.
Endoscopic Vein Surgery
This procedure involves making a small cut in your skin close to varicose veins. The surgeon then uses a small camera at the end of a thin tube to see through the vein. A surgical instrument that is placed at the end of the camera helps the doctor to lock the vein.
Endoscopic vein surgery is used in serious cases, especially when varicose veins result in skin ulcers. Within a few weeks, after the surgery, you can return to your normal activities.
Laser Treatment
In this procedure, a surgeon uses laser light to treat varicose veins. It is considered an ideal treatment for most patients because of its fast recovery period. The heat coming from laser light damages the affected vein that helps scar tissue to form, which closes the vein. When a closed vein cuts from its blood source, it starts dying naturally. The veins may take year or two to be disappeared completely.
There are two types of laser treatments available: endovenous and simple.
Simple laser treatment is performed on the outside of your skin to treat small varicose veins while endovenous laser treatment is capable of treating large varicose veins. However, in both treatments, you can expect to have a speedy recovery.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is another medical procedure used to eliminate varicose veins. This proven procedure has been used since 1930. The therapy involves injecting a salt solution directly into the vein. The solution then disturbs the lining of the blood vessel, helping it collapse, stick together, and the blood to clot.
Before this therapy, you will have a consultation with a vascular specialist who will decide whether or not you are the right candidate for this procedure. Usually, the treatment is given in the doctor’s office. After therapy, you won’t be allowed to do any aerobic activity for a few days.
Foam Sclerotherapy
It is a minimally invasive treatment to eliminate varicose veins. In this procedure, your doctor will inject a foam sclerosant in the blood vessels to close them. The blood will then reroute itself through healthy veins and restore normal blood flow. The difference between sclerotherapy and foam sclerotherapy is, with foam sclerotherapy; the air is mixed with the sclerosing agent to achieve a consistency that is similar to shaving cream.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
This outpatient procedure is an ideal choice for treating both symptomatic and asymptomatic superficial veins. Generally, it is performed on the large veins that swell above the skin. In rare cases, it may use for small veins.
The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia, and the patient does not experience any pain during treatment. Bulging veins are surgically eliminated, segment by segment, through small incisions.
Your doctor may advise you to wear stocking for a few days after surgery.
Endoscopic Vein Surgery
This procedure involves making a small cut in your skin close to varicose veins. The surgeon then uses a small camera at the end of a thin tube to see through the vein. A surgical instrument that is placed at the end of the camera helps the doctor to lock the vein.
Endoscopic vein surgery is used in serious cases, especially when varicose veins result in skin ulcers. Within a few weeks, after the surgery, you can return to your normal activities.
FINAL THOUGHTS
These are the top treatments available for varicose veins. If experience any of symptoms of varicose veins such as painful legs, swelling in ankles, frequent muscle cramps, schedule your free vein screening with Dr. Yalamanchili today at our Pomona, CA or Rancho Cucamonga, CA locations.
