What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Varicose Veins?

What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Varicose Veins
When it comes to varicose veins, the most effective treatment depends on the size or severity of the veins, and options range from self-care to surgery

When it comes to varicose veins, the most effective treatment depends on the size or severity of the veins, and options range from self-care to surgery.

In some cases, a combination of treatments may work best. Treatment aims at reducing symptoms and preventing complications. 

Self-care

At-home measures are typically recommended as first-line treatment to minimize the severity of the symptoms and prevent them from worsening:

  • Wearing compression stockings
  • Elevating the legs
  • Avoiding long periods of sitting or standing
  • Exercising regularly

Laser treatments

Laser treatment destroys varicose veins through a process called ablation. Depending on the type of veins involved, it is of two types.

  • Simple laser therapy: Done for smaller veins closer to the skin
  • Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT): Involves inserting a laser fiber into the veins, making them close up

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

This type of treatment destroys larger varicose by passing an electric current through a fiber inserted into the vein. After assessing your veins, your doctor may recommend either EVLT or RFA. Both procedures generate heat and cause the veins to collapse and close completely. They are often considered an alternative option for surgery.

Phlebectomy

Phlebectomy, also called stab avulsion or vein stripping, involves making several tiny cuts in the skin through which the varicose vein is removed. Your doctor may perform a phlebectomy immediately after ablation. However, phlebectomy has a longer recovery time as compared to ablation.

Surgery

  • Ligation and stripping: Involves surgically tying veins through a small incision in the skin to prevent blood from collecting. Ligation may be used in combination with vein stripping.
  • Sclerotherapy: Involves injecting a chemical called sclerosant into a varicose vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein. This therapy causes the vein to close and works more effectively for small veins than for large veins.

Nonthermal ablation

This treatment involves using medications instead of heat to destroy varicose veins:

  • The first one approved by the FDA is Laureth-9, which is a sclerosing agent. It works by increasing the formation of blood clots and scar tissue inside the veins, which helps decrease the dilation of enlarged veins.
  • The second non-thermal ablation treatment for varicose veins is the VenaSeal system, which uses glue to shut off the vein.

What causes varicose veins?

Veins contain one-way valves that keep the blood flowing from the legs to the heart. When these valves become weak, blood is not able to flow toward the heart as efficiently as it should, so it gets collected in the vein. Over time, accumulated blood puts pressure on the walls of the veins, which causes the veins to dilate and become twisted.

Factors that increase the risk of developing varicose veins include:

  • Advancing age
  • Female gender
  • Contraceptive pills
  • Pregnancy (due to increased blood flow and hormonal changes)
  • Family history of varicose veins
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Standing or sitting for long periods

What are symptoms of varicose veins?

Not all varicose veins cause symptoms. Some may just be a cosmetic concern, as they can appear dark purple or blue, twisted, or bulging. In some cases, they may be accompanied by:

  • Burning
  • Throbbing
  • Muscle cramping
  • Swelling
  • Feeling of heaviness
  • Pain after sitting or standing for a long time
  • Itching
  • Skin discoloration

Spider veins are smaller versions of varicose veins and often look like a spider’s web.

What tests are done to diagnose varicose veins?

Diagnosis of varicose veins requires taking your medical history and performing a physical examination, symptoms analysis, and a Doppler ultrasound of the legs. 

Doppler ultrasound is an imaging test that involves moving a small device called a transducer over the legs. The test lets your doctor know if there is a weakened vein valve and can show whether there is a blood clot in the veins.

What are the complications of varicose veins?

Complications of varicose veins are rare. If they occur, they may include:

  • Varicose ulcers: You may develop painful ulcers, especially over the ankle. These ulcers can take time to heal and keep recurring even after being healed.
  • Blood clots: Stagnated blood can clot and cause your leg to swell. The condition causes the veins to enlarge and become inflamed (thrombophlebitis).
  • Bleeding: Varicose veins close to the skin can burst and cause bleeding.

If you develop any of these complications, seek medical attention immediately.

Check Also

What Is the Best Operation to Lose Weight?

Weight loss surgery options Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is one of the most effective tools for weight loss for people with a BMI above 40. The best operation to lose weight depends on a variety of factors but gastric bypass and gastric sleeve are two clear frontrunners. Weight loss surgery, also …

What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Varicose Veins?

What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Varicose Veins
When it comes to varicose veins, the most effective treatment depends on the size or severity of the veins, and options range from self-care to surgery

When it comes to varicose veins, the most effective treatment depends on the size or severity of the veins, and options range from self-care to surgery.

In some cases, a combination of treatments may work best. Treatment aims at reducing symptoms and preventing complications. 

Self-care

At-home measures are typically recommended as first-line treatment to minimize the severity of the symptoms and prevent them from worsening:

  • Wearing compression stockings
  • Elevating the legs
  • Avoiding long periods of sitting or standing
  • Exercising regularly

Laser treatments

Laser treatment destroys varicose veins through a process called ablation. Depending on the type of veins involved, it is of two types.

  • Simple laser therapy: Done for smaller veins closer to the skin
  • Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT): Involves inserting a laser fiber into the veins, making them close up

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

This type of treatment destroys larger varicose by passing an electric current through a fiber inserted into the vein. After assessing your veins, your doctor may recommend either EVLT or RFA. Both procedures generate heat and cause the veins to collapse and close completely. They are often considered an alternative option for surgery.

Phlebectomy

Phlebectomy, also called stab avulsion or vein stripping, involves making several tiny cuts in the skin through which the varicose vein is removed. Your doctor may perform a phlebectomy immediately after ablation. However, phlebectomy has a longer recovery time as compared to ablation.

Surgery

  • Ligation and stripping: Involves surgically tying veins through a small incision in the skin to prevent blood from collecting. Ligation may be used in combination with vein stripping.
  • Sclerotherapy: Involves injecting a chemical called sclerosant into a varicose vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein. This therapy causes the vein to close and works more effectively for small veins than for large veins.

Nonthermal ablation

This treatment involves using medications instead of heat to destroy varicose veins:

  • The first one approved by the FDA is Laureth-9, which is a sclerosing agent. It works by increasing the formation of blood clots and scar tissue inside the veins, which helps decrease the dilation of enlarged veins.
  • The second non-thermal ablation treatment for varicose veins is the VenaSeal system, which uses glue to shut off the vein.

What causes varicose veins?

Veins contain one-way valves that keep the blood flowing from the legs to the heart. When these valves become weak, blood is not able to flow toward the heart as efficiently as it should, so it gets collected in the vein. Over time, accumulated blood puts pressure on the walls of the veins, which causes the veins to dilate and become twisted.

Factors that increase the risk of developing varicose veins include:

  • Advancing age
  • Female gender
  • Contraceptive pills
  • Pregnancy (due to increased blood flow and hormonal changes)
  • Family history of varicose veins
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Standing or sitting for long periods

What are symptoms of varicose veins?

Not all varicose veins cause symptoms. Some may just be a cosmetic concern, as they can appear dark purple or blue, twisted, or bulging. In some cases, they may be accompanied by:

  • Burning
  • Throbbing
  • Muscle cramping
  • Swelling
  • Feeling of heaviness
  • Pain after sitting or standing for a long time
  • Itching
  • Skin discoloration

Spider veins are smaller versions of varicose veins and often look like a spider’s web.

What tests are done to diagnose varicose veins?

Diagnosis of varicose veins requires taking your medical history and performing a physical examination, symptoms analysis, and a Doppler ultrasound of the legs. 

Doppler ultrasound is an imaging test that involves moving a small device called a transducer over the legs. The test lets your doctor know if there is a weakened vein valve and can show whether there is a blood clot in the veins.

What are the complications of varicose veins?

Complications of varicose veins are rare. If they occur, they may include:

  • Varicose ulcers: You may develop painful ulcers, especially over the ankle. These ulcers can take time to heal and keep recurring even after being healed.
  • Blood clots: Stagnated blood can clot and cause your leg to swell. The condition causes the veins to enlarge and become inflamed (thrombophlebitis).
  • Bleeding: Varicose veins close to the skin can burst and cause bleeding.

If you develop any of these complications, seek medical attention immediately.

Check Also

강남 셔츠룸 서울부장

강남 셔츠룸 매정한 나라에요 ㅋㅋㅋ 신규오픈 매장으로 설치 물품들이 많습니다. 역시 시부야 아니랄까봐 우리 나라 정서가 두 들겨야 흥이 더 나는듯 합니다. 아직 소버일때 우리 여자 예쁘니 직원들이랑 사진찍고 놀기  5~2배 정도 들었던것같아요 일환이었던 월성 원전 1호기 조기폐쇄에 대한 감사는 수위 조절이 실패해서 포기 햇엇드랫죠;; 대량 매출 가능한 입지라 확신합니다. 게임센터 규모도 장난 아니더라구요 차량…

Leave a Reply