Conditions
Varicose Veins
Varicose Veins – Causes & Treatments
What Causes Varicose Veins?
For veins to function properly, their walls and valves must retain their elasticity, enabling the valves within veins to meet and close. When these structures become damaged or weakened, the vein’s ability to direct blood flow from the legs to the heart diminishes. Instead of moving upwards, blood flows towards the feet, pooling in the veins – a condition known as venous insufficiency, which leads to varicose veins.
Several factors contribute to venous insufficiency and varicose veins, including genetics, age, gender, overall health, and lifestyle. If a close family member has varicose veins, it is more likely you will develop them too.
Varicose Veins
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Varicose Veins Symptoms
Varicose veins can present various symptoms, although some individuals may experience fewer or even none. Common symptoms include heavy, tired, restless and aching legs. Ankles may be swollen, particularly after long periods of sitting or standing.
Additional symptoms sometimes include night cramps, itching, and venous eczema, appearing as a red, itchy rash on the legs.
Without treatment, varicose veins can deteriorate further, leading to issues like varicose ulcers, dark pigmentation on the lower legs, and a congested purple appearance of the feet at day’s end.
A significant complication of venous insufficiency, besides venous eczema and ulcers, is deep vein thrombosis where a clot forms in the leg veins. While not a direct symptom of varicose veins, DVT is a related health concern.
Varicose Veins Removal and Treatment
Vein treatments are simple, effective and relatively painless. Patients often tell us they wish they had their veins treated sooner. We make it easy for people to find out their condition and their options. Call to make an appointment for a no-obligation ultrasound assessment of your varicose or spider veins with Dr Anuya Deshpande. This allows us to assess the best form of treatment for your veins if treatment.
Varicose Veins Removal and Treatment
Endovenous Ablation (EVA) is a procedure in which veins are closed using either laser energy or heat.
Two common types of EVA are:
Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)
This method involves the insertion of a small laser fiber into the vein under local anesthetic. Laser energy is delivered into the vein, causing it to collapse and seal shut.
RFA uses a catheter inserted into the vein to deliver heat to the inside wall of the vein, causing the vein to shrink down and collapse. This process is called ablation.
Both procedures are performed without general anesthesia, requiring only local anesthetic injections around the treated vein.
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS)
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy is a technique in which ultrasound is used to precisely locate abnormal veins. A sclerosant, a medication that irritates the vein wall, is then injected into the vein, causing it to collapse and close down.
Combined Treatment Approach
A combination of EVA and UGS is commonly used for vein treatment. Each session typically takes approximately one hour per leg. After treatment, medical-grade compression stockings are worn for two weeks to aid in recovery.