Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for varicose veins

by Reyna Tremblay DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Larger varicose veins are generally treated with ligation and stripping, laser treatment, or radiofrequency treatment. In some cases, a combination of treatments may work best. Smaller varicose veins and spider veins are usually treated with sclerotherapy or laser therapy on your skin.

Procedures

Simple laser therapy is done on small veins close to the skin, such as spider veins. The laser is used outside of your skin. Endovenous laser therapy uses a laser fiber inserted into the vein. Laser ablation inside the vein makes the vein close up. Ligation and stripping.

Self-care

There is not enough evidence to determine if compression stockings are effective in the treatment of varicose veins in the absence of active or healed venous ulcers. Interventional treatments include external laser thermal ablation, endovenous …

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Jan 01, 2022 · Treatment options for varicose veins include conservative management and interventional therapies such as thermal ablation, endovenous sclerotherapy, and surgery .7, 15, 18 The decision to proceed ...

What can I do to reduce varicose veins?

What are your best options for varicose veins?

How much does it cost for varicose veins treatment?

What are varicose veins and how are they treated?

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How can I get rid of varicose veins without surgery?

The Best Non-Surgical Treatments for Varicose VeinsExercise More. Low-impact aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, and biking gently work the calf muscles, helping the veins move blood along. ... Change Your Diet. ... Prop Up Your Legs. ... Wear Compression Stockings.Nov 27, 2019

What is the latest treatment for varicose veins?

New Treatment #1: Thermal Ablation for Varicose Veins About 25 years ago, a new varicose vein surgery called thermal ablation was invented, that has largely replaced vein stripping surgery. During this procedure, a small catheter is placed on the inside of the vein with the use of ultrasound.

What is the safest treatment for varicose veins?

VenaSeal, one of the newest varicose vein removal treatments available, is a proprietary adhesive used to close troublesome superficial veins. It is an FDA-approved and medical grade product designed to be gentle, flexible, and harmless.Nov 12, 2021

Do varicose veins go away?

Varicose and spider veins do not just go away on their own, but they can sometimes become less visible. You may also find that symptoms temporarily go away at times, particularly if you lose weight or increase physical activity. However, your vein symptoms will likely return over time.Dec 11, 2020

What happens if varicose veins are left untreated?

Left Untreated Increased pain and swelling – When varicose veins go untreated, the veins continue to get more damaged, which ends up making the pain worse and the legs swollen. Prolonged symptoms.

What cream is good for varicose veins?

Topical arnica comes in cream (or gel ointment) that can be applied to the skin overlying inflamed or painful varicose veins.

How do I get rid of varicose veins on my legs permanently?

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

Why am I getting varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by increased blood pressure in the veins. Varicose veins happen in the veins near the surface of the skin (superficial). The blood moves towards the heart by one-way valves in the veins. When the valves become weakened or damaged, blood can collect in the veins.

What to avoid with varicose veins?

Worst Foods for Varicose VeinsFried foods. These can clog your arteries making it harder for the blood to flow through them.Milk and cheese can slow down the digestive system and cause constipation which enables the veins to swell.Processed meats. ... White bread. ... Alcohol.Oct 18, 2021

Is it OK to massage varicose veins?

Massage therapies such as vascular and lymphatic drainage massages that aim to increase circulation and improve tissue nutrition are beneficial to patients with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. The technique used to improve circulation involves short strokes to move blood from the valves to the veins.Mar 5, 2021

Is ice good for varicose veins?

Fight inflammation. Ice is a natural anti-inflammatory. Use ice packs on your legs and feet or stick your feet in a bucket of ice water. The ice also reduces pain from varicose veins.Aug 18, 2014

Are varicose veins harmful?

Although they can be unsightly and uncomfortable, varicose veins aren't dangerous for most people. In some cases, severe varicose veins can lead to serious health problems, such as blood clots.Dec 29, 2021

How to treat varicose veins?

Home treatment may be all you need to ease your symptoms and keep the varicose veins from getting worse. You can: 1 Wear compression stockings. 2 Prop up (elevate) your legs. 3 Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. 4 Get plenty of exercise.

What is the treatment for spider veins?

Laser treatment. Laser energy is used to scar and destroy varicose veins. This is called ablation. Simple laser therapy is done on small veins close to the skin, such as spider veins. The laser is used outside of your skin. Endovenous laser therapy uses a laser fiber inserted into the vein.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Symptoms of varicose veins include a heavy, achy feeling and an itching or burning sensation ; these symptoms worsen with prolonged standing. Potential complications include infection, leg ulcers, stasis changes, and thrombosis.

Where are varicose veins located?

Varicose Veins: Diagnosis and Treatment. Varicose veins are twisted, dilated veins most commonly located on the lower extremities. The exact pathophysiology is debated, but it involves a genetic predisposition, incompetent valves, weakened vascular walls, and increased intravenous pressure.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Symptoms of varicose veins include a heavy, achy feeling and an itching or burning sensation ; these symptoms worsen with prolonged standing. Potential complications include infection, leg ulcers, stasis changes, and thrombosis.

How to tell if you have varicose veins?

10 Localized symptoms may be unilateral or bilateral and include pain, burning, itching, and tingling at the site of the varicose veins. Generalized symptoms consist of aching, heaviness, cramping, throbbing, restlessness, and swelling in the legs. 7, 11 Symptoms are often worse at the end of the day, especially after prolonged standing, and usually resolve when patients sit and elevate their legs. Women are significantly more likely than men to report lower limb symptoms. 12 Patients are more likely to have symptoms and increasing severity of symptoms with increasing CEAP clinical class (C 0 to C 6 ). 6

What is the name of the disease that causes blue veins and red telangiectasia?

Corona phlebectatica with edema. Corona phlebectatica can include blue veins, blue telangiectasia, red telangiectasia, and darker stasis spots. It is considered an early sign of advanced venous disease. Using the CEAP classification system ( Table 1 ), this patient would be classified as having C3 vascular disease.

How does thermal ablation work?

Thermal Ablation. Thermal ablation destroys damaged veins using an external laser or via endovenous catheter using a laser (endovenous laser ablation) or radio waves (radiofrequency ablation). External laser thermal ablation works best for telangiectasias. In this therapy, hemoglobin absorbs the laser light leading to thermocoagulation. 26 Endovenous thermal ablation can be used for larger vessels, including the great saphenous vein. Under ultrasound guidance, a laser optical fiber or radiofrequency catheter electrode is inserted into the vein in a distal to proximal direction. Heat from the laser or radio waves coagulates the blood in the vein, resulting in closure of the vein and redirection of blood flow to functional veins. 26, 27

Can horse chestnut seed extract help with varicose veins?

Horse chestnut seed extract ( Aesculus hippocastanum) and other phlebotonics may ease the symptoms of varicose veins, but long-term studies of the safety and effectiveness of phlebotonics are lacking. B. 23 – 25. Based on systematic reviews/Cochrane review of lower-quality RCTs.

What is venous duplex ultrasonography?

When venous disease is severe or interventional therapy is being considered, venous duplex ultrasonography is the modality of choice. 7, 15 Duplex ultrasonography is a simple, noninvasive, painless, and readily available modality that can assess the anatomy and physiology of the lower extremity venous system. It can help determine which saphenous junctions are incompetent, the diameter of the junctions, the extent of reflux, and the location and size of other incompetent perforating veins. It can also assess for acute and occult deep venous thrombosis and superficial thrombophlebitis. Reflux is defined as a retrograde flow duration of more than 350 milliseconds in the perforating veins, more than 500 milliseconds in the superficial and deep calf veins, and more than 1,000 milliseconds in the femoropopliteal veins. 16, 17 Other imaging modalities, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, venography, and plethysmography, are used only if venous ultrasonography is inconclusive or for more complex surgical situations. 7

What are conservative treatment options?

Conservative treatment options include external compression; lifestyle modifications, such as avoidance of prolonged standing and straining, exercise, wearing nonrestrictive clothing, modification of cardiovascular risk factors, and interventions to reduce peripheral edema; elevation of the affected leg; weight loss; and phlebotonics. These measures are recommended for patients who are not candidates for endovenous or surgical management, do not desire intervention, or are pregnant. 7, 15

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Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Preparing For Your Appointment

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.

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