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Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are
swollen and raised above the surface of the
skin. They are often dark colored and appear
as unattractive twisted bulges. This condition
is caused when the valves in the veins weaken,
so that blood pools in the vein and enlarges
it. Varicose veins are very common; about
half the adult population in the United States
suffers from varicose veins, and the problem
usually becomes worse with age. Severe varicose
veins can cause painful health problems,
so they should be treated.
Spider veins are similar to varicose veins,
but they are smaller. They look like little
spider webs located just beneath the surface
of the skin. Spider veins do not require
medical treatment; but because they are unattractive,
many people prefer to get rid of them.
If you are considering medical
treatment
for either varicose or spider
veins, consider
the following:
- Sclerothraphy is the most common treatment
for smaller varicose and spider veins. This
very effective method involves injecting
a solution into the vein that causes it to
swell, stick together and seal shut. It can
be done in the doctor’s office without anesthesia.
Possible side effects include stinging or
painful cramps at the injection site, along
with bruise marks. Both of these side effects
are usually only temporary.
- Laser surgery, which sends very strong bursts
of light into the vein, can be used to treat
spider veins. This highly accurate treatment
causes the veins to slowly fade and disappear.
The treatments last about 15 to 20 minutes,
and two to five treatments are generally
necessary. The chief drawback to laser surgery
is the pain caused when the laser hits the
skin.
- Endovenous techniques can be used to treat
more severe cases of varicose veins. This
involves putting a catheter into the vein,
which sends out radiofrequency laser energy
that shrinks and seals the vein. Healthy
veins that surround the treated vein then
restore the normal flow of blood. The chief
side effect from this treatment is some bruising.
- Large varicose veins often require surgery
that ties the veins shut and
completely removes
them. Veins located deeper
in the body then
take over the job of circulating
blood. This
type of surgery requires anesthesia
and must
be done in an operating room,
although it
can be done on an out patient
basis. Surgical
techniques include ligation
and stripping
of the veins, ambulatory phlebectomy,
and
endoscopic surgery.
Although all the above methods
of treating
spider and varicose veins are
highly successful,
problems with other veins can
reappear over
time. Ongoing medical supervision
may be
necessary. |
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