Varicose veins are blue or purple swollen, twisted blood vessels that form under your skin’s surface. They often appear in your legs, feet, and ankle and can be painful and itchy. Common symptoms of varicose veins include pain, swelling, skin discoloration, and heavy legs. In some people, St. Louis varicose veins do not cause any discomfort. Sometimes they can be severe and lead to serious health issues like blood clots. Varicose veins can affect anyone, but factors like age, family history, lifestyle habits, and weight can increase your risk of having them. There are various ways to treat varicose veins, and here are some.
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Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for varicose veins. No anesthesia is required. The treatment involves your provider injecting a chemical into the damaged veins that irritate the vein walls, making them stick together. After the treatment, your varicose veins take three to four months to disappear. To achieve optimal results, you may have two to three treatment sessions. You can resume work or daily activities the next day after sclerotherapy.
Compression stockings and socks apply steady pressure on your varicose veins to help the blood to move back to your heart. They help reduce swelling in your lower legs and the risk of getting a blood clot. You can purchase compression stockings or socks in a pharmacy. Your dermatologist may prescribe the proper size of your socks or stockings to promote maximum results. Compression stockings address symptoms of varicose veins, but the veins will still be visible.
Radiofrequency ablation involves your doctor making a small cut above or below your knee with the help of an ultrasound. The doctor threads a narrow tube or catheter into the affected vein and then inserts a probe into the catheter that emits radiofrequency energy. The radiofrequency energy heats the damaged vein, collapsing its walls, closing it, and sealing it shut. Doctors mostly use this procedure for larger varicose veins.
Endovenous laser treatment involves your specialist inserting a catheter into the damaged vein, threading a small laser through it, and positioning it at the top of the vein. The laser delivers short energy bursts, which heat the affected vein, sealing it shut. You have endovenous laser treatment under local anesthesia. Your provider uses an ultrasound scan to thread the laser up your vein. You may experience nerve injury, but it is usually brief. It takes about one to three months for your varicose veins to disappear, but you may need more treatments for complete clearing.
Transilluminated powered phlebectomy involves local or general anesthesia. Your specialist threads an endoscopic transilluminator, a special light, through a cut under your skin to enable the provider to see the damaged veins. The provider then incises and removes the target veins with a suction device through the cut. You may experience bleeding and bruising after the transilluminated powered phlebectomy.
Varicose veins are blue or purple swollen, twisted blood vessels that form under your skin’s surface. There are many treatments for varicose veins, including compression socks, sclerotherapy, endovenous laser, transilluminated powered phlebectomy, and radiofrequency ablation. Schedule an appointment at Midwest Institute for Non-surgical Therapy for varicose veins to relieve your leg pain and swelling.
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