Health Is Everything: A Medical Blog

4 Potential Treatments For Varicose Veins

Varicose veins may be accompanied by a number of different symptoms. With milder cases, most patients complain about cosmetic concerns. These veins are swollen and twisted and may show up like networks of spiderwebs in your legs. With more moderate to severe cases,  patients may have discomfort and aching pain. Varicose veins may be a cause for concern and lead to further health problems. However, you do not have to suffer in silence if you have varicose veins. You can seek treatment from a doctor at a vein treatment center. Here are four potential treatment options.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is one of the most common treatments for varicose veins. This treatment consists of injecting a foam solution in order to close the veins. Your doctor will assess the state of your veins and decide the severity in order to see how much of the foam solution will need to be injected into your veins. Depending on the severity of the swollen veins, this treatment may need to be repeated until adequate scar tissue builds up to seal off the veins.

Ligation

Ligation is another common treatment for varicose veins. It is classified as minimally invasive. It consists of your doctor creating small incisions in order to gain access to the affected vein. The doctor then ties off the affected vein before it joins with a larger blood vessel and finally removes the vein through the small incision. This kind of treatment effectively decreases pain and discomfort, as well as the unsightly appearance of varicose veins.

Endoscopic surgery

In the case of advanced varicose veins that are affecting quality of life and blood supply to the lower extremities, endoscopic surgery is the recommended treatment. This outpatient procedure requires your doctor to use a camera in order to visualize the affected veins. Once the doctor has gained visual confirmation, they remove the veins through small incisions. Recovery time is quick, and the patient may resume most activities within the next day.

Laser

Laser therapy is a relatively new treatment for varicose veins. This treatment consists of the doctor directing light energy into the varicose veins. The heat from the light makes the veins begin to disappear as they are eradicated. This type of therapy is non-invasive and the least uncomfortable compared to other available treatments. It is generally the most effective on mild cases of varicose veins, such as spider veins.

Contact a doctor to learn more.