Treatment of Painful Spider and Varicose Veins
Over 80 million people are affected by either Spider Veins or Varicose Veins. Spider veins specifically are small red, blue , or purple veins on the surface of the skin. These Spider veins are a result of a patient’s veins, which have one-way valves that channel blood back to the heart from the extremities, malfunctioning. When valves malfunction blood flow becomes irregular, congesting the veins and this can result in very painful, or noticeable spider veins.
While many people seek treatment for these veins because of cosmetic reasons, often patients seek treatment in an effort to relieve pain. Patients report that often they feel fatigue, burning, heaviness, swelling, aching, throbbing, itching, cramping, and restlessness in their legs.
Large, deep, distended and ropey veins are usually called varicose veins. Varicose veins affect many Americans and can be extremely painful as well as aesthetically displeasing. If varicose veins are severe enough they can lead to eczema, ulceration or inflammation of the lower leg because the nutrition of the skin is compromised.
Although genetics plays a huge role, aging, obesity, leg injury and excessive standing at work can all be factors. In addition women are much more likely than men to suffer from varicose and/or spider veins with a 50 percent chance of developing varicose veins in their lifetime.
There are many different treatment options for varicose veins. Endovenous Laser Treatment, is a form of laser treatment that is an alternative option for those who do not want to undergo surgery.
With this treatment, anesthesia is applied and a tiny laser fiber is inserted into the damaged vein to deliver pulses of laser light. These pulses of laser light cause the vein to collapse and seal shut. Sclerotherapy is another option where a small needle injects the veins with a medication, irritating the vein lining, and making the veins collapse and be reabsorbed so that they are no longer visible. Emory Healthcare offers both of these treatments as well as Abulatory Phlebectomy.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Tags: Healthcare
