What are Varicose Veins?
Large, swollen, twisted veins that look blue are varicose veins. These unsightly veins occur when the valves in your legs become faulty, and blood doesn’t flow properly or pools.
About 23 percent of adults might get varicose veins in the United States. Some basic facts about these veins include:
- Pregnant women remain more likely to get varicose veins.
- Overweight individuals tend to get varicose veins.
- Varicose veins form in the legs and on the feet.
- If you stand a lot during the day, you might get varicose veins.
- Treatment Methods for Varicose Veins
Sclerotherapy
During sclerotherapy, a chemical gets injected into the vein in question. The chemical causes scars in the veins and closes them. You should see an improvement in the way your vein looks within a few weeks of treatment. Veins sometimes need to be injected more than once to give you the desired results.
Radiofrequency Ablation
In radiofrequency ablation, a tiny incision gets made above or below the knee. Next, a narrow tube, called a catheter, gets threaded into the vein. A doctor then puts a probe into the catheter that emits a burst of radiofrequency energy. The vein is heated up, which causes the walls of the vein to collapse. Local anesthetic gets used for this procedure.
Endovenous Laser Treatment
A catheter gets placed into your vein. Then, a small laser gets put into the catheter and placed at the top of the affected vein. The laser provides short bursts of heat, which seals up the vein, so it stays shut. The doctor uses an ultrasound to see the position of the laser. The procedure remains done under local anesthetic.
Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy
Using a small incision, a special light called an endoscopic transilluminator is threaded under the skin. The varicose vein is removed using a suction device and local anesthetic.
If you think you have a varicose veins and want to explore treatment options contact our team at Ciao Bella Vein Clinic for help
