Treat Varicose Veins

Is It Necessary to Treat Those Cumbersome Varicose Veins?

Not all medical conditions are equally threatening. In fact, some conditions don’t even require medical intervention, as they do not affect the overall health and wellbeing of the patient. So, where do varicose veins fall? Should you treat this condition, or simply accept that it’s an inevitable part of life?

In most cases, varicose veins are completely harmless and it is up to the individual whether they want to treat it or not. But this is not always the case. Here are some of the most important reasons why people choose to treat varicose veins:

• They could be indicative of a more serious underlying condition, such as blood clots or deep vein thrombosis. In fact, in the case of a pulmonary embolism, this could be fatal. While treating the superficial vein damage would not resolve the blood clots, seeing a doctor could lead to a diagnosis made in time for treatment of the underlying condition.

• They could cause severe discomfort that could negatively affect the quality of a patient’s life. This discomfort can be in the form of:

• itching
• burning
• pain
• cramping
• swelling of the legs
• eczema around the ankles
• inflammation
• ulceration of the lower legs

Not only are these symptoms irritating and potentially disruptive, they can also disturb proper night rest, leading to exhaustion.

• Varicose veins are often unsightly, and many patients choose to treat them for cosmetic reasons, as the presence of this condition can lead to the patient being self-conscious and even developing self-esteem issues.

How do you treat varicose veins?

There are a number of different treatments available. The chosen treatment depends on a number of factors, including the patient’s health and preferences, and the severity of the actual medical condition. Treatments include:

• Sonar-guided treatment: A non-invasive procedure that makes use of a vascular sonar to identify the veins that require treatment.
• Phlebectomy: A skin prick no bigger than an injection puncture is made, and, with the use of ultra-fine instruments, the vein is lifted through the skin and tied off.
• The Button-ligation method: The problematic vein network is identified, marked and injected with glue, known as sclerosant.
• Sclerotherapy: This method entails injecting an agent into the vein, which causes the vein to shrink and be reabsorbed by the body.
• Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): A Micron Laser Fibre is inserted into the vein using a needle and guide wire.

Are you unsure whether to treat your varicose veins and, if you do, which treatment to follow? Not to worry. Simply get in touch with The Gibson Vein Practice to discuss your condition and to find out more about the treatment that is right for you.