The veins are blood vessels with a critical cardiovascular role in transporting blood from body tissue to the heart. However, blood pressure in veins flows relatively lower than in arteries. For this reason, veins have valves that prevent blood backflow. Unfortunately, some patients have faulty valves that do not function properly, requiring medical intervention from Dr. Steven Ferrer. Their condition causes blood to flow backward and accumulate in the legs. This accumulation of blood in veins causes these blood vessels to enlarge in size. Venous enlargement leads to a condition called varicose veins. The size of your enlarged veins will depend on the severity of your condition.
Patients seek treatment for their varicose veins because these vessels are unsightly. Your varicose veins will appear blue or dark purple depending on your skin color. Various treatments for varicose veins encourage individualization of therapy to deal with the root cause of the problem and restore seamless blood flow.
What are the treatments for varicose veins?
Varicose veins do not always present symptoms. Most patients with the condition seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. However, physicians’ approach to eliminating varicose veins depends on the severity of the patient’s condition and desired outcomes. The following are potential treatments for varicose veins:
Compression stockings
Your doctor will recommend wearing compression stockings as a home relief approach. Although this technique is straightforward, it effectively reduces the venous size by relieving excess pressure on the legs and feet.
Surgery
This invasive medical treatment is ideal for patients who have not gotten relief from conservative approaches. Surgical techniques deal with the underlying cause of varicose veins. If you have pain and discomfort in your legs that you suspect due to varicose veins, ask your doctor what surgical options you have to remove these unsightly veins and restore your leg’s appearance.
Laser treatments are a surgical approach to eliminating various veins. This procedure involves exposing the veins to intense bursts of light to destroy them. Eventually, the veins fade and disappear, leaving flawless skin.
Ligation and stripping
During this procedure, your doctor will make two incisions. The first incision goes around the groin area at the top part of the target vein. The other incision is at the lower part of the leg, the ankle, or the knee. The next step involves tying and sealing the top part of the vein before passing a thin, flexible wire through the bottom part of the vein and pulling it to remove the affected blood vessel.
Most patients worry about whether ligation and stripping lead to a hospital stay. Conveniently, you do not have to spend the night in hospital after undergoing ligation and stripping. Your doctor will prescribe medications to help with bruising, bleeding, or pain after the treatment. The only adverse side effect of undergoing ligation and stripping is deep vein thrombosis and blood clot formation.
Sclerotherapy
You should expect your doctor to inject a specific chemical into your veins during this treatment. This chemical will scar and close any medium-sized varicose veins. Afterward, the veins fade and disappear.
Contact Progressive Spine to determine the best treatment for your varicose veins.
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