How can varicose veins be treated

This procedure is preferred for larger varicose veins. Radiofrequency ablation is usually done with a local anesthetic. A small laser is threaded through the catheter and positioned at the top of the target vein; it delivers short energy bursts that heat up the vein, sealing it shut.

With the aid of an ultrasound scan, the doctor threads the laser all the way up the vein, gradually burning and sealing all of it. This procedure is done under local anesthetic. There may be some nerve injury, which is usually brief. An endoscopic transilluminator special light is threaded through an incision under the skin so that the doctor can see which veins need to be taken out.

The target veins are cut and removed with a suction device through the incision. A general or local anesthetic may be used for this procedure. There may be some bleeding and bruising after the operation. In the majority of cases, there is no pain, but signs and symptoms of varicose veins may include:. Any condition in which proper blood flow is undermined has a risk of complications.

However, in the majority of cases, varicose veins have no complications. If complications do occur, they may include:. People with chronic venous insufficiency may develop varicose eczema, lipodermatosclerosis hard and tight skin , and venous ulcers. Venous ulcers classically form around ankles and are often preceded by a discolored area. It is important to get medical evaluation for chronic venous insufficiency.

The veins have one-way valves so that the blood can travel in only one direction. If the walls of the vein become stretched and less flexible elastic , the valves may get weaker. A weakened valve can allow blood to leak backward and eventually flow in the opposite direction. When this occurs, blood can accumulate in the vein s , which then become enlarged and swollen. The veins furthest from the heart are most often affected, such as those in the legs. This is because gravity makes it harder for blood to flow back to the heart.

Any condition that puts pressure on the abdomen has the potential to cause varicose veins; for instance, pregnancy, constipation and, in rare cases, tumors. Experts are not sure why the walls of veins stretch or why the valves become faulty.

In many cases, it occurs for no clear reason. However, some potential risk factors include:. The following risk factors are linked to a higher risk of having varicose veins:. Women are much more likely to develop varicose veins during their pregnancy than at any other time in their lives. Pregnant women have much more blood in their body; this places extra pressure on the circulatory system.

Additionally, changes in hormone levels can lead to a relaxation of the blood vessel walls. Both these factors raise the risk of having varicose veins. In the majority of cases, the varicose veins go away after the pregnancy is over; this is not always the case, and sometimes, even if the varicose veins improve, there may be some left visible.

These can help soothe pain, and improve comfort and they may improve the general appearance of varicose veins. We develop them when tiny, one-way valves inside the veins weaken. In healthy veins, these valves push blood in one direction — back to our heart. When these valves weaken, some blood flows backward and accumulates in the vein. Extra blood in the vein puts pressure on the walls of the vein. With continual pressure, the vein walls weaken and bulge. In time, we see a varicose or spider vein.

Some people have a higher risk of developing these veins. If blood relatives have them, you have a higher risk. Many people get them because they sit or stand for long periods most days of the week. These veins also become more common with age and during pregnancy. Treatment options range from self-care to minor surgery. A dermatologist may use one or more of these treatments:. Self-care: Your dermatologist can give you tips to improve your circulation. These tips include:.

Self-care tips can help prevent new varicose and spider veins but cannot get rid of existing ones. Compression stockings: These stockings apply steady pressure to help move the blood back to your heart. The steady pressure also lessens swelling in your lower legs and reduces the risk of getting a blood clot.

If you need compression stockings, a dermatologist can examine you so that you get the proper size and right amount of pressure. Sclerotherapy: This is the most common treatment for leg veins.

Over the years, dermatologists have improved sclerotherapy to make it safer and give patients better results. Today, dermatologists use it to treat spider and small varicose veins.

Your dermatologist injects a chemical into the spider or varicose vein, which irritates the wall of the vein. Different areas of the vein are injected. To help prevent possible side effects, you will need to take daily walks and wear the compression stockings as directed.

Most patients wear the compression stockings for 2 to 3 weeks. Sclerotherapy causes the walls of the vein to stick together, so the blood cannot flow through it anymore. This improves circulation in the treated leg and reduces swelling.

To get the best results, you may need 2 or 3 treatments. A dermatologist can perform these treatments during an office visit. Causes of varicose veins and spider veins Symptoms of varicose veins Prevention of varicose veins and spider veins Treatment of varicose veins and spider veins Surgery for varicose veins Other forms of treatment for varicose veins Where to get help. Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to our heart. In our legs, blood is collected in the superficial veins, just below the skin surface, and delivered to deeper veins that run within our calf muscles.

The muscular action of our calves helps to pump the blood against the force of gravity towards the heart. One-way valves inside the veins prevent the blood from travelling backwards. If these valves fail to close properly, blood pools in the superficial veins.

Varicose veins are knobbly, twisted and darkish-blue in appearance. Spider veins are like varicose veins, but smaller and closer to the surface of the skin. They are often red or blue, and can look like tree branches or spider webs. They may cover a small or large area.

These problem veins can be treated in two main ways. Surgery is usually used on only the larger varicose veins, while sclerotherapy can help with smaller veins. Treatment of varicose veins and spider veins is not just for cosmetic reasons. Varicose vein disease can cause many health problems, such as blood clots, venous eczema, skin breakdown and ulceration, and, rarely, skin cancers.

Causes of varicose veins and spider veins We do not know the causes of varicose veins and spider veins. However, in many cases, they run in families. Women seem to get the problem more often than men.

Such hormonal changes occur during puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause. Factors that may increase your risk of developing varicose veins include: standing or sitting for long periods being immobile for long periods — for example, being confined to bed lack of exercise obesity. Symptoms of varicose veins Problems can occur if the faulty valves are located within the veins that go through the calf muscles deep veins.

Prevention of varicose veins and spider veins Some suggestions that may help to prevent varicose and spider veins include: Wear support stockings. Maintain good weight control. Get regular exercise. Avoid wearing high heels, as they affect the proper functioning of the larger veins.

Treatment of varicose veins and spider veins Some varicose veins and spider veins can be treated by sclerotherapy, which is the injection of irritant chemicals sclerosants into the affected vein. The irritant prompts the vein to spasm and collapse in on itself. In time, the walls of the collapsed vein heal together, and the sealed vein can no longer carry blood. Leg veins clear up slowly after sclerotherapy and may take up to two to six months to resolve, depending on their size. A compression stocking worn on the leg helps to speed this process.

Small veins need compression for around three to six days, while bigger veins need about six weeks. Sclerotherapy procedure The actual sclerotherapy procedure takes at least one-and-a-half hours. Afterwards, you need to allow extra time for walking around. The process includes: The surgeon marks the site of injection on your legs while you stand.

The surgeon gives you the injections while you are lying down. You put on compression bandages and stockings immediately after the injections. The bandages are meant to be tight. You should then walk for about half an hour. The fine needle used for injecting does not cause much pain, only a mild pinprick sensation. Some people may experience a burning sensation after the injection.

This disappears after a few seconds.