Varicose veins can be a huge cosmetic issues for a lot of people. Most especially if it has become swollen and apparently snaking though underneath the surface of your legs. The good thing is, the symptoms which come with the development of the condition are can be managed without being under the the blade of a scalpel. If however, surgical intervention is required, there have been significant developments in non-invasive techniques which minimize any risks associated with surgery and produce a good result as far as cosmetic outcome is concened.
Non-invasive methods do use either ultrasound sclerotherapy of endovenous laser treatment.
Endovenous laser treatment involves the use of a catheter which houses a laser; the catheter is introduced into the superficial vein to be treated, usually in the groin area and using an anaesthetic. As the catheter is withdrawn, the laser “ablates” the varicose vein, i.e. burns it away. As the catheter/laser combination is withdrawn, this strips away the varicose vein.
Ultrasound sclerotherapy involves the use of ultrasound imaging to guide a surgeon in the injection of medicines which serve to strengthen the integrity the blood vessel walls by constricting and tightening the vein. Usually, the medicine is mixed into a foam substrate which must be guided with precision into what has usually become a very twisted and distorted blood vessel. This requires exceptional skill on the part of the surgeon, but the results are extremely good with little if any side-effect or adverse risk on the part of the patient.
Stripping away of the varicose vein is a completely routine procedure which has been in practice for over 150 years. It works because the bulk of the blood supply which is returned to the heart from the legs, actually travels through the deep veins in the legs and not via the superficial veins.
Before the doctor would usually prescribe either an endovenous, laser or vein stripping, he would first advise these other more conservative measures. These therapies and treatments do not deal with the underlying cause of varicose veins but do address the symptoms and can provide relief.
It is common for sufferers to be advised to wear a “compression stocking”, which will help to alleviate the swelling of the lower limbs which is associated with varicose veins. Many sufferers object to wearing such a medical stocking and it is unlikely that a lady would want to wear such a stocking to a social occasion or even in private. Caution should be exercised where the sufferer has cardiac issues because the stocking will actually increase the wearers blood pressure due to the compression of the lower limbs.
Exercise is frequently quoted as being beneficial to sufferers, however, while exercising is a good lifestyle choice, there is no evidence that exercise will actually alleviate the symptoms of varicose veins.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are also frequently prescribed for suffers, particularly ibuprofen.
Elevating the legs has always been advised, and this does usually provide some timely relief from leg aches and the feeling of being tired in the legs. The results are only for a moment and the symptoms are back after a while.