Latest Treatment For Varicose Veins: Options You Need To Check Out! -

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins that often appear blue or purple. They most commonly occur in the legs and feet. Blood accumulates in the veins which can impact looks and cause physical discomfort.

Varicose veins can also pop up in other parts of the body. Hemorrhoids can also be a good example of varicose veins.

However, is there any permanent treatment for varicose veins? Let’s find out!

Sneak Peak At The Latest Treatments For Varicose Veins

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Sclerotherapy
VenaSeal (Medical Adhesive)
Clarivein (Mechanical and Chemical Ablation)
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Vein Stripping and Ligation
Compression Therapy

Understanding Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are bulging veins that develop when the valves in the veins fail or are damaged. Usually, these valves guarantee one-way blood flow to the heart. Blood may pool in the veins and expand and show beneath the skin when valves fail. Though they may grow anywhere, varicose veins most usually appear in the legs.

Visual Signs and Symptoms

Here are a few signs and symptoms of varicose veins:

Visibly blue or purple twisted veins
Aching or heaviness in the legs
Swollen legs
Itching around the veins
Skin discoloration around the veins
Muscle cramps (especially at night)

Factors that increase your risk of developing varicose veins:

Age
Family history
More prominent in females
Overweight
Pregnancy
Standing or sitting for long periods

Why Is Treatment For Varicose Veins Important?

Varicose veins can be a health risk if left unattended and eat into your daily life. A few problems they bring to your life are:

Blood clots: Varicose veins heighten the risks of blood clots (thrombophlebitis). They can be painful and fatal if they reach the lungs leading to pulmonary embolism.
Bleeding: Rupture and bleeding can show up near skin surface varicose veins.
Skin ulcers: Skin ulcers are difficult to heal because of chronic venous insufficiency. This can happen due to blood accumulating on your limbs stemming from malfunctioning valves.
Lipodermatosclerosis: This shows up as pain and stiffness resulting in hardened skin tissue.

Latest Treatment Options

These are the most recent available treatments for varicose veins.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)

Through a little incision, a tiny laser fiber is placed into the varicose vein. The vein collapses and seals close when laser radiation warms it to improve blood flow. Minimally invasive EVLA is less painful, with minimal scarring, and a speedier recovery than conventional surgery. It is very successful in relieving symptoms and getting rid of varicose veins.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Here heat is used to close the vein using radiofrequency radiation instead of a laser. RFA has the same advantages as EVLA with a shorter recovery period and reduced future risks. Success rates are very high successful in treating varicose veins with RFA.

Sclerotherapy

In this method, a doctor injects sclerosant into the vein which swells up the walls. This restricts blood flow which eventually closes the vein. Sclerotherapy comes in two types. Larger veins call for foam sclerotherapy; smaller veins are better suited for liquid sclerotherapy.

Surgical Treatments

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Little incisions are made to remove varicose veins using tiny hooks. This is recommended for bigger varicose veins or those unfit for other minimally invasive procedures.

Vein Stripping and Ligation

Using bigger incisions, this technique completely cuts off the vein. This is more intrusive than more modern minimally invasive treatments, vein stripping increases the risk of complications and prolongs the healing period.

Innovative Non-Surgical Treatments

VenaSeal (Medical Adhesive)

Here the vein is sealed using a medical adhesive injection or a catheter. The adhesive seals the vein shut turning it into scar tissue. With VenaSeal you have less downtime and is a fast procedure. It may hurt during and after the procedure but that does not last for long. It is a safe alternative to surgery and you do not require wearing compression stockings.

Red light therapy

Red light therapy is not a direct solution for varicose veins in the legs. However, they can be beneficial as they can enhance overall vein functionality. It can also prevent the new varicose veins from forming. RLT can stimulate the development of new capillaries and improve microcirculation. This way it supports the tiny valves within the veins and can prevent the backflow of blood that leads to varicose veins

Clarivein (Mechanical and Chemical Ablation)

Clarivein damages the vein lining with a rotating wire tip. This is done while administering a sclerosant to seal the vein. This usually takes less than an hour and is done under local anesthesia. It is less painful and promises rapid healing.

Choosing the Right Treatment

There are several factors to consider before choosing the right treatment:

Factors to Consider

Severity and Extent: Size, position, as well as quantity of veins with varicose, determine a proper course of action. Sclerotherapy might be effective for smaller veins, whereas larger or more varicose may need procedures such as EVLA or RFA.
Health and Medical History: Sometimes, certain medical conditions and drugs can influence decisions on treatment. Thus your health background is checked by a doctor to establish how safely and with what efficiency this could be done.
Personal Preferences and Lifestyle: Additionally, you should think about which treatments you feel comfortable with. Depending on how long you can rest and your budget dictate which treatment you opt for.

Consultation with a Specialist

You must visit a vascular expert for an accurate diagnosis and care plan that suits your specific condition and medication history. They will assess your individual needs as well as advice on the most appropriate options depending on your particular circumstances.

More often than not these consultations involve physical examination conducted by an expert together with ultrasound analysis aimed at evaluating blood flow in blood vessels. Information about symptoms, medical records plus preferred therapy methods will be discussed by them.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

You can ask questions like:

What are the best treatment options for my specific case?
What are the risks and benefits of each treatment?
What is the expected recovery time for each option?
What can I expect in terms of results and potential complications?

Recovery and Aftercare

Post-Treatment Care

Compression Stocking: Don’t forget to wear compression stockings. This will help reduce swelling and improve circulation.
Raise Leg: When resting, raise your legs a little bit higher to ensure the swelling subsides.
Keep Light Activity: Make sure you walk every so often. This boosts blood flow and reduces the chances of clots forming. No standing or sitting for long hours though.
Avoid Heavy Activity: Try to steer clear of heavy lifting or high-impact workouts.

Long-term Management

To make sure varicose veins do not pop up again, make sure to bring about these changes in your life:

Lifestyle Modifications: Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding prolonged periods of standing or sitting can help prevent new varicose veins from forming.
Change to a Healthy Diet: Change your diet to include high-fiber foods with low salt. This can help prevent swelling and improve overall vein health.
Regular Follow-ups: Try to visit a doctor for regular check-ups. You will never if a varicose vein reappears if do not check for new developments.
Compression Therapy: Do not stop wearing compression stockings as you can benefit from it in the long run. Some people with chronic venous insufficiency may always have the risk of developing new varicose veins.
Skin Care: Good skincare practices are important, especially for those with skin changes from venous insufficiency. Moisturizers can help prevent dryness and skin breakdown.

Frequently Asking Questions

What Are The Most Effective Treatments For Varicose Veins?

It depends on one’s condition, but procedures like laser ablation and sclerotherapy that are less intrusive can render best results within a short time.

Is Laser Treatment For Varicose Veins Painful?

No, most people only feel minor discomfort during laser treatment, as it’s done with local anesthesia.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Varicose Vein Treatment?

The type of treatment you choose to go with will dictate the recovery time. Sclerotherapy usually has a short recovery time of two days. It may take a couple of weeks for the treated vein to fade. Going the surgery route can take longer to recover spanning a few weeks.

Can Varicose Veins Come Back After Treatment?

Even with the modern advancements in treatment, varicose veins can reappear. Genetics can be a leading factor that causes varicose veins to pop up. Additionally, they can come back if you do not wear the compression stocking after the treatment or address weight issues.

Are There Any Risks Associated With Modern Varicose Vein Treatments?

Surgical procedures will always have some kind of risks associated with it. These can be anything from swelling and bruising to skin infections and further blood clots. However, other non-surgical procedures like endovenous laser ablation have lower risk in comparison.

Get Rid Of The Varicose Veins With RLT

Varicose vein treatment has advanced to a point where there are many ways you can treat them through a combination of surgical and nonsurgical methods. Depending on how severe your case is, a doctor will decide what treatment method you should take. Red light Therapy paired with surgery can ensure you are not affected by varicose veins in the future!