Varicose vains can they be treated?!
Question: and how thanks
Answers: and how thanks
Varicose veinsTreatmentNot everyone with varicose veins will require treatment for their condition. If you have no symptoms, and your varicose veins are not causing you any discomfort, then you do not necessarily need to have treatment. However, there are some instances when treatment may be necessary. These are outlined below.
To ease symptoms - if your varicose veins are causing you pain or discomfort, you may want to consider treatment to help ease the symptoms.
Complications - you may require treatment if your varicose veins cause you to develop complications, such as leg ulcers, swelling or skin discolouration. See the 'complications' section for more information about this.
Cosmetic reasons - despite having no symptoms, some people want their varicose veins removed for cosmetic reasons. However, this kind of treatment is rarely available on the NHS, and you will normally have to pay for it to be carried out privately.
If your varicose veins do require treatment, the type of treatment you will receive will depend on your general health, and the size, position, and severity of your varicose veins. Some of the available treatments for varicose veins are outlined below. Your GP will be able to advise you about the most suitable form of treatment for you.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings are specially designed stockings which steadily squeeze your legs to help improve your circulation. They may help to relieve any pain, discomfort, or swelling in your legs which is being caused by your varicose veins. However, compression stockings will not cure your varicose veins, and cannot stop new varicose veins from developing.
Most people have to wear compression stockings throughout the day before taking them off at night. Compression stockings are often tightest at the ankle and get gradually loser as they go further up your leg, in order to encourage your blood to flow upwards towards your heart.
Compression stockings are available in a variety of different sizes and pressures and, if they do not fit properly, they will not be effective. It is therefore very important for you to ensure that you get the right compression stockings. Ask your GP for advice about which stockings are most suitable for you.
Compression stockings can be uncomfortable, particularly during hot weather, but it is important to wear your stockings in the right position in order for you to get the most benefit from then.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is usually suitable for people who have small to medium sized varicose veins. This treatment involves a special chemical being injected into your veins. The chemical works by scarring the veins, which then seals them closed.
Larger veins may require foam sclerotherapy. Instead of the liquid chemical, a special type of foam is injected into the affected vein. The injection is guided to the vein using an ultrasound scan. Although this treatment has been proven to be effective, it can cause side effects, including:
blood clots in other leg veins,
headaches,
fainting, and
temporary vision problems.
Your GP will advise you whether foam sclerotherapy is a suitable form of treatment for you.
Following your sclerotherapy treatment, your varicose vein should begin to fade after a few weeks. This is because other, stronger veins take over the role of the damaged vein, which is no longer filled with blood.
You may require sclerotherapy more than once before the vein fades. However, sclerotherapy is not always permanent, and there is a chance that the vein may reappear. Both standard sclerotherapy and foam sclerotherapy are usually carried out under local anesthetic.
Surgery
Large varicose veins may sometimes have to be surgically removed. Varicose vein surgery is usually carried out under general anaesthetic, and you will normally be allowed to go home the same day. However, in some cases, you may require an overnight stay in hospital, particularly if you are having surgery on both of your legs.
Most surgeons use a technique called ligation and stripping which involves tying off, and then removing the affected vein in the leg.
During your operation, two small cuts (incisions) will be made, approximately 5cm in diameter. The first cut is made near your groin, at the top of the varicose vein. The second cut is made further down your leg, usually around your knee or ankle. The top of your vein (near the groin) is tied up and sealed.
A thin flexible wire is passed through the bottom of the vein (near the knee or ankle). After the wire has been passed through the vein, it is carefully pulled out using the wire, and removed through the lower cut in your leg.
The blood flow in your legs will not be affected by the surgery. This is because the veins which are situated deep within your legs will take over the role of the damaged veins. You may need 1-3 weeks recovery before you return to work, although this will depend on your general health, and the type of job that you have.
Other treatments
A number of new treatments have recently been developed to treat varicose veins. However, these treatments may be limited on the NHS, so ask your GP about the availability in your area.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation involves heating the wall of your varicose vein using radio frequency energy. The energy is emitted from a small probe which is inserted into your vein. The vein is heated until its wall collapses, closing the vein and sealing it shut.
The vein is accessed through a small cut made just above or below the knee. Once the vein has been sealed shut, your blood will naturally be redirected to one of your healthy veins. This treatment rarely causes any discomfort and is carried out under local anaesthetic.
Endovenous laser treatment
During endovenous laser treatment, a narrow tube, known as a catheter, is put into your vein, using an ultrasound scan to guide it into the correct position. A tiny laser is then passed through the catheter and positioned at the top of your varicose vein.
The laser emits short bursts of energy, heating the vein up and sealing it closed. The laser is slowly pulled along the vein, using the ultrasound scan as a guide, allowing the entire length of the vein to be closed.
Endovenous laser treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic. Afterwards, you may feel some tightness in your legs, and the affected areas may be bruised and painful.
Transilluminated powered phlebectomy
During a transilluminated powered phlebectomy, one or two small incisions are made in your leg. Your surgeon will place a special light, called an endoscopic transilluminator, underneath your skin so that they are able to see which veins need to be removed. The affected veins are then cut, before being removed through the incisions using a suction device.
Transilluminated powered phlebectomy can be carried out under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic. As with endovenous laser treatment, you may notice some bruising afterwards.
Sure - they can be drained and sealed off. Start with a visit to your doctor.
Yes you can have surgery to remove them.
You go in hospital and they are removed.Knew a guy from the
pub who had it done.Said it was no problem.
you can have the removed using a course of laser treatment, it can be quite pricey but i'v heard it's worth it!
my mum had hers stripped it was ok 4 a while and then the ended up coming back!!
Yes, my friends Mother had it done. They inject a saline like solution that dries up and shuts off the vein (the vein is useless anyway). It's called sclerotherapy. There are also surgical options. Depends on your veins.
It is expensive, clinics offer it and a dermatologist can do it as well, I think.
I did see a leaflet with a new technique using foam?? See www.spirehealthcare.com
They can be surgically removed and no trace remains. No problem.