Tips Guides Resources

Varicose veins are large, raised swollen blood vessels that can be seen through the skin. These veins turn and twist out of their normal path, which is why they become visible. “Spider” veins are similar to the varicose variety, except that they are much smaller blood vessels. Though spider veins most commonly occur in the legs (like their larger counterparts), these can also appear in the facial area. This condition may cause embarrassment by making legs look unsightly. Additionally, many people suffer discomfort and pain as a result; fortunately, treatments are available that render suffering unnecessary.

Before discussing treatment, it’s important to know who gets this condition. More women than men have varicose veins; they may result from a variety of risk factors including (but not limited to): heredity, occupations requiring long periods of standing, hormonal influences, pregnancy, overweight, birth control pills, blood clot history in the legs, and some kind of trauma to the skin.

Symptoms vary from individual to individual, but they may include tiredness and extreme achiness in the legs, throbbing, burning, or a feeling of heaviness. Sometimes, treatment can be as simple as wearing a good pair of support hose or elevating legs to alleviate pressure and pain. But if symptoms are truly interfering with quality of life, or if a person simply wants treatment for cosmetic reasons, there is help.

– Change in lifestyle: eating healthier, getting plenty of exercise, and losing weight may diminish the swollen appearance of veins by alleviating pressure. Such behavioral changes will also prevent new varicose problems.

– Schlerotherapy is a treatment that has been used for nearly 80 years. A salt solution is injected directly into the vein where it irritates the tissue; over time, the tissue scars over and disappears over a period of three to six weeks, taking the bluish appearance with it. This is a relatively simple, outpatient procedure that does not take a lot of time. It is not a good choice, however, for pregnant women or bedridden individuals.

– Endovenous laser treatment involves the insertion of a tiny laser fiber into the affected area. Pulses of laser light cause the vein to collapse. Like schlerotherapy, this option is done on an outpatient basis, but it does involve the use of local anaesthesia.

– Surgical procedures are the most invasive treatments, and are most commonly used for very large varicose veins. In this surgical procedure, veins are either tied off or removed altogether through extremely small incisions. General anaesthesia is often used for this procedure, but patients may go home the same day. Recuperative time is lengthier than other methods.

– Intense pulsed light use heat to selectively destroy damaged veins. There are no needles involved in this kind of treatment, but it is not for everyone and there is a risk of specific side effects.

Individuals no longer need to suffer from the effects of varicose veins since there are so many options for treatment. It’s vital to contact a specialist in the field who can help evaluate the person’s condition and decide which approach would be safest and best.

Resources: Don’t suffer any longer! For varicose vein treatment in Utah, why not choose the very best? Intermountain Vein Center (http://iveincenter.com/) has the trained professionals to help you decide what will work for you. Art Gib is a freelance writer.