Varicose veins occur when you put the veins under too much pressure. This often happens when the vein's valves or other portions become weak or injured. As a result, blood begins to pool, causing veins to enlarge.
Varicose veins affect the appearance of the legs, which is why many people seek treatment.
Small veins might be unproblematic, but large or many varicose veins may represent a health danger. The following are some of the most prevalent health issues related to varicose veins.
Leg ulcers: These are open sores that develop at the ankle and are difficult to cure because the enlarged veins impair blood flow in the legs.
Deep vein thrombosis: Varicose veins frequently affect veins near the skin's surface. Phlebitis occurs when these veins harden and become heated. In most cases, a clot (also known as a thrombus) forms in a surface vein because phlebitis typically does not pose a major health risk and often resolves on its own.
Many people confuse blood clots for deep vein thrombosis, but the two aren't the same. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a clot originates in a deeper vein in the leg. DVT can get detached and move to the lungs, where it can cause a pulmonary embolism, obstructing blood flow and limiting the body's ability to oxygenate blood.
May Thurner syndrome: May-Thurner syndrome is a rare disorder in which an artery in the pelvis compresses a vein, causing hazardous blood clot formation. May-Thurner syndrome is characterized by varicose veins, venous ulcers, and edema in the afflicted leg.
Varicose veins treatment options
Varicose vein treatment alleviates symptoms, prevents complications such as leg pain, blood clots, or ulcers, and sometimes eliminates them. Varicose veins do not produce symptoms in some people, and treatment focuses on removing them to improve the legs' looks. While conservative therapies can help alleviate symptoms and prevent varicose veins from worsening, surgeries are usually required to remove the unsightly veins. There are many varicose treatment options available. The most common ones are:Home remedies and lifestyle changes
Some people may benefit from at-home therapies and lifestyle adjustments to alleviate symptoms and prevent varicose veins from worsening. Some of the home remedies and lifestyle adjustments that can help you with varicose veins include:- Wearing compression stockings
- Elevating your legs. Ensure that you do it at least 15 minutes per day
- Avoiding long periods of sitting or standing
- Exercising frequently
- Avoiding wearing high heels or clothing that is too tight, especially around the waist, upper thighs, and legs.
Specialist driven procedures
There are many expert-driven procedures that you can use to get rid of varicose veins. These procedures include:Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is the most common varicose vein treatment. It heals spider veins as well as minor varicose veins. During the operation, a chemical is injected into various locations of the veins using ultrasound imaging. The chemical irritates the vein walls, causing them to clump together, preventing blood from flowing through the vein. This operation is usually performed without anesthetic, and most people can return to work and other activities the following day. To avoid potential adverse effects, take daily walks and use compression stockings for two to three weeks. Sclerotherapy complications include skin color changes and, in rare cases, blood clots, nerve damage, severe allergic reaction, or stroke. To reduce the chances of complications, have the procedure in a reputable institution such as West Medical.Endovenous ablation
It is also guided by ultrasound imaging, which involves inserting a fiber or electrode into a vein through a tiny incision. The vessel is then heated with radiofrequency or laser light, causing it to shut. The technique can be conducted on bigger varicose veins and is usually done as an outpatient surgery under local anesthetic. You can return to normal activities immediately, though you will need to wear compression stockings throughout recuperation. You should note that even after the procedure, the vein may not vanish for up to a year, so you need to be patient. Bruising, discomfort, and changes in skin color are common side effects of endovenous ablation. Serious adverse effects include numbness, skin burns, and blood clots, which are extremely rare.Laser treatment
Previously, laser treatment was mainly used to treat spider veins on the face, but current technology has made it an effective treatment for smaller varicose veins as well. During the operation, laser light is directed at the skin over the vein. The laser light then fades the vein away without causing harm to the skin. Small spider veins may vanish quickly after treatment, whereas varicose veins usually deepen and disappear after one to three months. Three or more treatments may be required to achieve optimal results.Surgery
Surgical alternatives are normally reserved for patients with severe varicose veins unsuitable for other therapies. While serious side effects are uncommon, problems from varicose vein surgery might include infection, nerve damage, bruising, discomfort, and changes in skin color. The most well-known surgical techniques for varicose veins are ligation and stripping, which entail surgically tying shut and removing veins through skin incisions. The operation is outpatient (you go home the same day) under general anesthesia. It takes one to four weeks to recover fully. Although ligation and stripping were originally routine procedures, they are now only used in extreme situations. Microphlebectomy, which removes varicose veins using specific tools inserted through small incisions, is occasionally performed alone or in conjunction with vein stripping. Microphlebectomy can be done on minor varicose vein branches that do not respond to previous treatments or require additional therapy.Parting shot
Varicose veins can bring about many complications, so when you notice them, you should move with haste and get treatment. Modern technological advancements have substantially improved varicose vein treatment. While at-home, over-the-counter, and prescription therapies might alleviate symptoms and keep varicose veins from worsening, sclerotherapy or endovenous ablation may be required to get rid of the veins. Although surgical methods were initially widely employed to treat varicose veins, they are now reserved for the most severe cases. This is primarily because they require more recovery time than less intrusive procedures.
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