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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This video explains common treatments for spider veins. The problem commonly known as spider veins is the result of small patches of swollen veins near the surface of the skin causing an unsightly spider web like appearance. Although generally painless, spider veins are a cosmetic issue especially since they can be common on the face.

Treatments for spider veins vary, but generally surgery is not required. Sclerotherapy is a common treatment that involves a small injection of a concentrated salt solution into the problem areas. The salt solution kills off the spider veins thereby reducing any visible signs. The problem with sclerotherapy is that the spider veins can come back after the veins regrow. The positive aspect is that it is a very easy treatment on the patient and has a very high success rate.

Laser or radio frequency therapy can also be performed to reduce spider veins. These are slightly more complicated procedures but also have very high success rates. There should be minimal scarring and usually only local anesthesia is required

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This video explains the benefit of an EVLT treatment, or endovenous laser therapy. Up to 40% of women and 25% of men suffer from varicose veins which get worse over time if left untreated. EVLT is a non-surgical procedure that requires a small catheter to be inserted into the troubled veins. Using laser technology transferred by heat to the end of the catheter, the energy irritates the lining of the vein. The vein will then collapse around the catheter as it is pulled out.

This treatment replaces sclerotherapy and surgery as the favorite of many doctors. Sclerotherapy is fairly successful and non-invasive but only considered to be a short term solution. Surgical procedures can be painful and leave extensive scarring. In addition it can take several weeks to regain normal feeling and comfort with the treated areas.

EVLT will not leave extensive scarring, just perhaps a very small mark where the catheter is inserted. The EVLT treatment should only take 20 to 30 minutes and the patient can walk out of the office immediately.

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Common Cures for Varicose Veins

There are several common cures for varicose veins. There are several surgical methods with good success rates, but the surgeries can be somewhat traumatic for patients and leave very visible scars. Non-surgical methods are generally preferred. These all have very good success rates, but aren’t necessarily as long term of solutions as surgeries. The patient could also self treat with supportive stockings and leg elevation. When considering the long term, there may not be a complete cure. Most treatments will relieve symptoms and are considered permanent, but there are no guarantees that the varicose veins won’t return.

The two common surgical methods for curing varicose veins are CHIVA and stripping. Saphenous stripping involves removing the entire trunk of the affected vein, from ankle to hip. This surgery is generally successful, but is considered one of the more painful procedures. However, it is considered to be a permanent solution and recurrence in the same area is very rare.

CHIVA is a similar surgery, but only pieces of the trunk are removed. Smaller veins attached to the trunk are systematically selected to be removed in addition to the sections of the large trunk that are removed to allow maximum blood circulation through the area. This systematic selection also allows the affected veins to strengthen themselves as the area rebuilds. As the veins strengthen and circulation improves, the effects and appearance of varicose veins disappears.

Non-surgical options are often preferred even though symptoms can return after 6 months to several years. Although the treatments are called permanent, they don’t provide a true cure to the problem. They merely remove the symptoms by treated the superficial veins. New veins will eventually grow back in the same place and may suffer from the same problem.

However, non-surgical treatments such as EVLT and endovenous radio frequency ablation report a much higher success rate than surgical procedures. EVLT claims a 95-100% success rate while radio frequency is only slightly lower. Both treatments have a smaller risk for severe side effects than surgery and most side effects are not as severe.

Home based treatments generally do not provide a complete cure for varicose veins, but can provide some relief from the swelling and discomfort from the malady. Because varicose veins generally get worse over time, it is wise to talk to your doctor to make sure that additional complications aren’t likely to arise from the varicosities. If you do decide to self treat, usually leg elevation for 15 to 20 minutes each day combined with supportive stockings can relieve most symptoms.

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