Treatment and Prevention
Varicose veins can't be cured, but they can be successfully treated. Treatment concentrates on relieving pain and managing complications. People who have obvious spider veins want to make the veins less noticeable, often through a cosmetic procedure. Wearing lightweight compression hosiery (stockings) can stop the pain from small, mild varicose veins altogether. Heavier elastic support stockings, knee-length or thigh-length, can also be worn if you have advanced varicose veins.
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that involves injecting a concentrated saline or chemical solution into the vein. The sclerosing (hardening) solution causes the vein to close up or collapse and become scar tissue. This causes blood to flow only to the non-varicose veins.
Many veins can be injected during a single visit. Several injection sessions are usually required to effectively close a vein and it usually takes a few weeks for healing to occur after each injection.
A dermaologist or specialist usually performs a sclerotherapy. It causes little discomfort.
Allergic reactions to sclerotherapy are rare. Scarring can occur and a brown blemishing of the skin may appear. It usually fades, but insome case it can be permanent. Some superficial varicose veins can be treated with a laser.
A new technique called microsclerotherapy is the latest way to remove varicose veins. It uses improved solutions and injection methods. No anesthesia is needed for sclerotherapy or microsclerotherapy.
Varicose veins can also be treated by surgery. Your doctor may suggest surgery if you:
- have extremely visible varicose veins, or
- experience changes in your skin, or
- suffer from significant pain and constantly inflamed veins (recurrent phlebitis or thrombophlebitis).
Physicians who recommend extensive surgery may "strip" deeper veins in the legs while removing as many of the swollen, twisted varicose veins as possible. A few isolated varicose veins may continue to be bothersome after surgery, but these can usually be treated with injections.
Some of your options for surgery include:
- laser surgery: works by using laser light on the veins to make them fade over time and is most successful for very mild forms of the condition.
- catheter-assisted procedures: generally uses heat to damage the vein which causes blood to be redirected to healthy veins in the body.
- ambulatory phlebectomy: small veins can be removed using this procedure. Small holes are made in the skin and the veins are removed.
Here are some things you can do to help prevent varicose veins:
- exercise - walking is a great way to increase blood flow in the legs
- lose weight - shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure off veins in the legs
- wear compression stockings
- avoid high heels - stick with low heeled shoes that give the calf muscles a better workout, which can help give you healthier veins
- elevate legs - take three or four daily breaks (10 to 15 minutes) to elevate the legs above the level of the heart (e.g., lie down with legs resting on three or four pillows)
- avoid long periods of sitting or standing - make a point to change position frequently to encourage blood flow