Treatment FAQ

how does the treatment of varicose veins work

by Jeffry Rolfson DDS Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

A health care provider injects the varicose veins with a solution or foam that scars and closes those veins. In a few weeks, treated varicose veins should fade. The same vein might need to be injected more than once. Sclerotherapy doesn't require anesthesia and can be done in a health care provider's office.Mar 3, 2022

Procedures

What to do?

  • Pour a few drops of cypress oil on your palm
  • Apply it on the area of the varicose veins and gently massage it into the skin
  • Repeat this once or twice daily for effective results

Self-care

  • Sclerotherapy. ...
  • Foam sclerotherapy of large veins. ...
  • Laser treatment. ...
  • Catheter-assisted procedures using radiofrequency or laser energy. ...
  • High ligation and vein stripping. ...
  • Ambulatory phlebectomy (fluh-BEK-tuh-me). ...
  • Endoscopic vein surgery. ...

See more

Typical costs: Lower Leg Laser Vein, or Varicose Vein, Treatments can cost $200-$1,000 depending on how many veins need to be lasered.; Tip: You may want to talk to a medical specialist to determine whether sclerotherapy (which uses chemicals) in combination with laser leg treatments is appropriate for you.

Do home treatment for varicose veins actually work?

Multiple sessions could mean several $1000 for more severe cases. Some of the more advanced procedures include Varithena foam injection, which may range from $2000 to $3000 and a ClosureFast Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), which may cost $3000 to $5000. Costs vary depending on the number and size of veins to be treated.

What is the best treatment to remove large varicose veins?

What is the average cost to remove varicose veins?

How much varicose vein treatment costs without insurance?

image

How do they correct varicose veins?

If you have larger veins, you are likely to have surgery (ligation and stripping) or less invasive procedures such as radiofrequency closure or endovenous laser treatment. Small to medium-sized varicose veins usually are treated with sclerotherapy, external laser treatment, or a minor surgery called microphlebectomy.

How long does it take for varicose vein treatment to work?

Results. If you were treated for small varicose veins or spider veins, you can usually expect to see definitive results in three to six weeks. Larger veins may require three to four months. However, multiple treatments may be needed to achieve the results you want.

Does varicose vein treatment last?

With Sclerotherapy and Foam Sclerotherapy, the veins are permanently treated yet the treatment can't prevent new veins from occurring in the future. Most patients with varicose veins are genetically predisposed to the problem and will almost always develop new veins.

How many treatments does it take to get rid of varicose veins?

Varicose veins take 3 to 4 months. To get the best results, you may need 2 or 3 treatments. A dermatologist can perform these treatments during an office visit.

Is it worth getting varicose veins removed?

Surgery can very effectively relieve varicose vein symptoms: In more than 80% of people who have varicose vein surgery, it improves symptoms like pain, swelling and itching or makes them go away completely, and their legs look better afterwards.

Is walking good for varicose veins?

While exercise won't cure varicose veins, it can help improve your symptoms and reduce your risk of developing more. Walking, biking and swimming are all great low-impact exercises that are easy on the joints and help circulation in varicose veins.

Is vein stripping painful?

Vein stripping usually takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. You may receive either: General anesthesia, in which you will be asleep and unable to feel pain. Spinal anesthesia, which will make the lower half of your body feel numb.

Is varicose vein treatment painful?

In most cases, veins are simply closed using a chemical or radiofrequency energy that gently heats vessels to close them. Each of these treatments is virtually painless.

Do veins grow back after removal?

Unfortunately when veins grow back again after trauma, they never have any valves in them. Therefore, when varicose veins are removed, the veins grow back again and there are no valves in them at all.

What happens if I don't wear compression stockings after sclerotherapy?

This injection will cause the vein to collapse and eventually disappear. Overexertion and heavy physical activities are best avoided for a few days up to a week following the treatment. Swelling and bruising due to sclerotherapy can be minimized through the use of stockings.

How long does vein treatment last?

While smaller veins may only take 15 minutes to be treated, larger veins may take up to an hour to be treated.

How can I stop varicose veins getting worse?

How to Prevent Varicose Veins from Getting WorseExercise regularly. Your leg muscles are your biggest allies. ... Lose weight if you're overweight. ... Avoid standing or sitting for a long time. ... Don't wear tight-fitting clothes. ... Be sure to put your feet up. ... Wear support pantyhose. ... Invest in a compression hose.

What is the treatment for varicose veins?

Laser treatment in which light energy from a laser is directed at the vein causing it to gradually fade or disappear; multiple treatments are required and the procedure is used to treat small varicose veins.

What is the procedure where a chemical is injected into the vein to collapse its walls?

Sclerotherapy , in which a chemical is injected into the vein to collapse its walls so it can no longer transport blood

What is the best medicine for swollen joints?

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin or ibuprofen to alleviate occasional swelling and pain.

Do you need a doctor for varicose veins?

A mild case of varicose veins does not usually require a doctor's care. You can find relief from the discomfort of varicose veins with basic at-home treatment and various alternative remedies.

What is the goal of varicose vein treatment?

The goals of varicose vein treatment are to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. For some, the goal may be improved appearance. Home treatment is typically the first approach.

What is the procedure to remove a vein from a varicose vein?

Cuts (incisions) are made over the varicose vein, and the vein is tied off (ligated) and removed (stripped).

Why do you inject a chemical into a vein?

A chemical is injected into a varicose vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein, causing the vein to close. This usually works best for small veins.

Where is laser therapy done?

Simple laser therapy is done on small veins close to the skin, such as spider veins. The laser is used outside of your skin.

Can you improve your legs with varicose veins?

Some people may want to improve how their legs look, even though their varicose veins aren't causing other problems. In these cases, a procedure may be a good option, as long as there are no other health problems that make these treatments risky.

How to diagnose varicose veins?

Varicose veins are close to the surface of the skin and easy to see. Healthcare providers can diagnose the condition during a physical examination. Your provider will feel the veins and examine them while you’re sitting and standing.

How to reduce veins in legs?

These treatments can reduce their appearance and relieve discomfort: Elevation: To increase blood flow and decrease pressure in the veins, you should elevate your legs above your waist several times throughout the day. Elastic stockings: Supportive stock ings or socks compress the veins and reduce discomfort.

What is the difference between spider veins and varicose veins?

What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins and spider veins are both types of venous disease, but they look different. Spider veins are smaller and thinner than varicose veins. They look like a red or blue spider webs or branches of a tree, and they are close to the skin’s surface.

Why do veins get bigger?

Varicose veins occur when the walls of veins become weakened. As blood pressure in the vein increases, the weakened walls allow the vein to get bigger. As the vein stretches, the valves in the vein can’t work like they should. Sluggish blood backs up or pools in the vein, causing the vein to swell, bulge and twist.

What are purple veins?

Varicose Veins. Varicose veins are twisted, blue or purple veins that bulge under the skin’s surface. They don’t usually cause serious health problems. If veins are painful or bleeding, or if the area is swollen, see your healthcare provider.

How to tell if you have a vein in your leg?

Symptoms include: Bulging veins: Twisted, swollen, rope-like veins are often blue or purple. They appear just below the surface of the skin on the legs, ankles and feet. They can develop in clusters. Tiny red or blue lines (spider veins) may appear nearby.

Why do women have varicose veins?

Women who are pregnant, taking the birth control pill or going through menopause have a higher risk of varicose veins because of changes in hormone levels.

How to treat spider veins on legs?

This treatment is highly effective, with little to no pain, no invasive surgery, and is covered by insurance in many cases. Salt water or a chemical solution will be injected into the defective vein. The vein then hardens and disappears.

Is finding a medical expert the alpha and omega of curing your venous disease?

Remember that finding a medical expert is the alpha and omega of curing your venous disease and it will directly affect the final outcome.

Can you go back to work after vein surgery?

Thanks to modern technology, treating various vein-related diseases and conditions has become easier than ever before. No need for general anesthesia and hospital stay after surgery, low risk of complications and little to no downtime – the new treatments allow you to go back to work on the same day, with relatively little pain or discomfort. Skilled specialists will treat your veins in their office with either a laser, a salt-solution called sclerosant, or a combination of the two:

What causes varicose veins?

Veins contain one-way valves that keep the blood flowing from the legs to the heart. When these valves become weak, blood is not able to flow toward the heart as efficiently as it should, so it gets collected in the vein. Over time, accumulated blood puts pressure on the walls of the veins, which causes the veins to dilate and become twisted.

What are symptoms of varicose veins?

Not all varicose veins cause symptoms. Some may just be a cosmetic concern, as they can appear dark purple or blue, twisted, or bulging. In some cases, they may be accompanied by:

What tests are done to diagnose varicose veins?

Diagnosis of varicose veins requires taking your medical history and performing a physical examination, symptoms analysis, and a Doppler ultrasound of the legs.

What are the complications of varicose veins?

Complications of varicose veins are rare. If they occur, they may include:

Top Most Effective Treatment for Varicose Veins Related Articles

Learn more about the primary differences between spider veins vs. varicose veins. Find out about available treatments for both conditions.

image

Diagnosis

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Preparing For Your Appointment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment involves self care, medications of underlying cause and surgery in severe cases. Varicose veins during pregnancy will usually resolve itself after the delivery.
Procedures

Sclerotherapy: Foam solution is injected into the large vein to close the vein and seal it.

Laser surgery: Strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes veins fade and disappear.

Catheter assisted procedure: Catheter insertion, heating it and destroying the vein to collapse and seal.

Vein stripping: Tying a vein before it joins a deep vein and removing through small incision.

Ambulatory phlebectomy: Doctor removes varicose vein by series of punctures.

Endoscopic perforator vein surgery: To visualize and close varicose veins and remove the veins through small incisions.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

Exercise and weight loss, climbing stairs, compression stockings improves the symptoms.

Specialist to consult

Phlebologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of venous origin.
Cardiologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and management heart related disorders.
Dermatologist
Specializes in the study of the skin and its disorders.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9