This video shows the process to complete the treatment known as endovenous radio frequency ablation. The graphics in the video are incredibly easy to understand. You can see the various layers of tissue and understand the relative size of the vein.

A very small catheter is inserted into a varicose vein to be treated. The catheter has four directional prongs to contact all sides of the vein. Local anesthesia is used so the patient doesn’t feel any pain the treatment. Radio frequency waves are applied through heat to the end of the catheter. The vein walls react to the radio frequency waves by collapsing onto the catheter as its being removed. This effectively kills the vein that is being treated. It will slowly fade into the surrounding tissues of the leg.

Endovenous radio frequency treatment is a fairly common procedure but is slowly being replaced by EVLT, or endovenous laser therapy. The method using lasers is very similar but has a slightly higher success rate and is considered to be more comfortable for patients.

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Spider Vein Treatment and Therapy

Treatment and therapy for spider veins, officially referred to as Telangiectasias, includes many of the same procedures as treatment of varicose veins. Although the two problems seem similar, spider veins are smaller than the veins affected by varicose veins. Spider veins are much more likely to affect areas around the face and neck, although they can appear anywhere. The spider web like appearance can be accompanied with a small level of discomfort, but they generally do not continue to get worse over time like varicose veins. There are a variety of treatments available, including home therapy and surgeries, but all cases do not need to be treated.

Home Based Therapy

Elevation of the affected area will generally provide short term relief for any soreness or discomfort caused by spider veins. In addition, wearing supportive stockings for affected areas on the legs will temporarily reduce swelling, especially in combination with regular doses of over the counter anti-inflammatory medicines. The consumption of a high fiber diet combined with exercise has been shown in some cases to reduce the appearance of spider veins, although most cases will require additional methods of treatment.

Intensive Non-Surgical Treatment

The most common treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy, which is a small injection of a solution into the affected veins. The injected medicine shrinks and closes the veins thereby reducing any swelling or visual appearance. Sclerotherapy is considered to have a 50-90% success rate and can be performed in a doctor’s office without anesthesia.

Endovenous radio frequency ablation is a medical procedure where the doctor uses a small catheter to pass electricity over the affected veins. It is more successful than sclerotherapy, but more complicated. It generally has an 85-90% success rate for spider vein treatment. About 10% of patients will suffer mild to moderate side effects which may include bruising and swelling for a short period of time.

Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) has a higher rate of success than radio frequency at 95-100%. It uses laser treatment instead of electricity. It is considered to be more comfortable for patients and generally has fewer side effects.

Surgical Treatment

Generally spider veins are not severe enough to require surgical treatment. For sufferers, surgery should be the last option. Although surgery can be a successful treatment when combined with longer term therapy, the procedures (saphenous stripping and CHIVA) are fairly invasive and can leave significant scarring. Since spider veins are common on the face and neck, the procedures can be more complicated and the scarring can be more noticeable.

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This video has an excellent graphical representation of the cause of varicose veins. The graphics show what normal working veins should look like, including the direction and flow of blood. Damaged vein valves cause veinus reflux which can lead to multiple problems including varicose veins. The damaged valves cause a greater lack of circulationAlthough varicosities can occur anywhere in the body, it is most common in the legs where blood can pool. If circulation is poor, it is generally worst in the legs.

Varicose veins can result in swelling, discoloration, and a twisted pattern of veins all visible on the surface of the affected area. While it is only uncomfortable for some sufferers, varicose veins are expected to get worse over time. If left untreated varicosities can cause complications.

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Varicose Vein Treatment and Removal

Varicose Veins that are oversized and twisted typically represent the diagnosis of varicosities or, more commonly, varicose veins. Although complications resulting from varicose veins are fairly rare, the veins are somewhat unsightly and can cause some localized discomfort. There are several avenues of treatment that will lessen the symptoms, ranging from self medication to surgery. Below are outlines of the various treatment methods, including the positive and negative aspects.

Do It Yourself Varicose Vein Treatment

It is recommended to elevate your legs at regular intervals for temporary relief of symptoms. The affected leg(s) must be elevated above the level of your heart for optimal effect. In addition to elevation, the use of compression sleeves or stockings combined with regular consumption of anti-inflammatory medicine can provide relief of some symptoms including swelling and circulation in the affected areas. Possible side effects include intestinal bleeding, but it is fairly uncommon.

In addition, a varicose vein sufferer could take the dietary supplement called Diosmin 95. Diosmin is offered only by prescription in Europe, while in the U.S. it is considered a nutritional supplement. Clinical trial results show Diosmin is generally safe, which the long term use in Europe has confirmed. This is a somewhat controversial treatment that does not directly treat the cause varicose veins, but rather treats the resulting problems that are created by varicosities.

Intensive Non-Surgical Treatment

Sclerotherapy is a common treatment for varicose veins that shrinks the affected veins with an injection of medicine in the localized area. This treatment claims a 76% success rate in clinical studies and is considered my most to be much better as a short and medium term solution than surgical options. Possible side effects include ulcerations and blood clots, although both rarely occur.

Endovenous radio frequency ablation is a medical procedure that utilizes a catheter to pinpoint affected veins and pass electricity over the problem areas. It generally has an 85-90% success rate for varicose vein treatment. Side effects include mild to moderate bruising, swelling, and numbness which only occur in 10-30% of patients.

Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) has a higher rate of success at 95-100% and uses laser treatment rather than electricity. It is considered to be more comfortable for patients and generally has fewer side effects.

Surgical Treatment

The two common surgical treatments are saphenous stripping and CHIVA. Saphenous stripping involves removal of the affected vein’s trunk and can leave several lengthy scars on the patient’s leg(s). CHIVA is a similar procedure but consists of smaller vein removal to allow the main vein to remain intact. It is a more complicated procedure but is easier on the patient and leaves less visible scars.

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This video described the function and uses for the VeinViewer. It is a device that uses infrared light to find veins just beneath the surface of the skin. Then it displays them on the skin in the same location that the veins actually are so that doctors and nurses can take blood, or more likely perform a procedure.

The cost of a treatment using the VeinViewer can be quite costly, but will allow procedures to be performed with a higher level of certainty and accuracy. The device also allows for medical staff to find the feeder veins to problem areas which is a great advantage that was nearly impossible before.

The VeinViewer is a fairly new technology so it is not available in all hospitals yet, but the hospitals that are technically advanced will likely have one or will soon get one. This is a great product for people with small or hard to find veins

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