Get Those Varicose Veins Removed For Your Health And Appearance's Sake

Those tiny bluish veins in your legs are not only unsightly, but they can become uncomfortable health problems when they become larger. If removed when they are small, you'll have little trace of them. Let them get bigger before seeking treatment and you'll end up with bruising and scarring on your legs. Here is why your varicose veins can be a serious health problem and the current techniques for getting rid of them.

Varicose Veins Restrict Blood Flow

The varicose veins have lost their flexibility and ability to pump blood through them. Blood begins to pool in the vein, causing the vein to become swollen. This prevents blood from flowing through your legs normally. When these veins become large enough, you can develop a number of symptoms, such as:

• cool lower legs and feet
• aching in the lower legs
• burning sensation over the vein

Treatment of Varicose Veins

Sclerotherapy - Small varicose veins can be treated with this technique, leaving no trace of the damaged vein. A chemical is injected into the vein which damages the blood vessel, causing it to shrink. As the vein collapses, the body absorbs the old tissue and clotted blood. Subsequent injections may be required to completely remove a number of varicose veins in the same area.

Laser Varicose Vein Treatment - This treatment is also effective at removing small veins without a trace. A laser creates scar tissue in the damaged blood vessel. The vessel then shrinks and the body absorbs the old tissue.

Radiofrequency Ablation - This technique is used on larger varicose veins where sclerotherapy and laser treatment are less effective. This procedure uses radio waves sent into the blood vessel to create scarring in the vessel wall. Some of the tissue will be absorbed, but scars will appear where remnants of the blood vessel remain.

Vein Stripping - Very long varicose veins must be surgically removed. With vein stripping, an incision is made over the blood vessel and a small rod inserted down the length of the vein. The vein is then tied onto the rod at various locations. The rod is then pulled out of your leg with the vein still attached to the rod. This procedure leaves some scars where the vein was originally located.

Phlebectomy - Even larger varicose veins must be removed in pieces from your leg. Several incisions are made over the vein and then the blood vessel is cut into smaller pieces and removed. Scars and bruises in the area are common with this technique.

To learn more, contact a varicose treatment center like Premier Surgical Associates. 

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