Varicose veins are enlarged and gnarly veins and they commonly appear in the feet and legs. They occur when veins get filled with blood and they are often red or bluish purple in color.

The main cause of varicose veins is the when the vein dysfunctions. Veins have valves in them that are supposed to keep the blood flowing forward, but if they fail to do so, blood in the vein starts to collect rather than continue towards the heart. Since the legs are furthest from the heart, varicose veins mostly affect the legs. Gravity, too, is a contributing factor as it makes it hard for the blood to flow up the vein.
Out of all the treatments available for varicose veins, sclerotherapy is the most effective.

What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a form of injection therapy that is designed to improve the way the varicose veins appear on your legs.

The Procedure
During the procedure, a solution called sclerosant is injected in the veins that scars and destroys the vein's internal lining which causes the blood to clot. After the solution is injected, pressure over the veins is applied to prevent the return of the blood as you stand up. Compression stockings are worn for maintaining the pressure.

After the Procedure
There is no prolonged recovery time for sclerotherapy. You can move around immediately after the procedure, but do not strain yourself too much. However, bed rest is not recommended as it might stress the vein. You probably have to keep wearing the compression stockings for a few days more.

Reasons for Choosing Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is best for treating the following problems-
1. Small veins and spider veins that do not cause severe damages
2. Smaller varicose veins that might return even after vein stripping surgery (the surgical removal of the superficial saphenous vein with minimal incisions to treat varicose veins).
3. Larger varicose veins
4. Follow up to any other surgery to treat varicose veins

Risks involved
Sclerotherapy, like any other treatment, has certain risks. The risks include-
1. Skin discoloration
2. The varicose veins can still return after the treatment
3. Bruising, itching, blistering and pain in the treated area
4. Mild or severe allergic reaction to the solution (sclerosant) used
5. Blood clots in the deep vein system.

Varicose Veins: Using Sclerotherapy to Get Rid of It

Every woman wishes for great legs they can flaunt in tiny shorts and skirts whenever they feel like it. The greatest impediment to this freedom, however, is unattractive spider and varicose veins that make legs lose their aesthetic value and limit women from enjoying experimenting with short outfits. Not only do these veins look unattractive on legs, but they are quite painful as well. The good news is that modern medicine has enabled doctors to use the body's own healing mechanisms to amend the problem. Doctors can now employ the use of laser treatments and injections to provide quick relief to patients. What's more, these treatments can be addressed easily in a doctor's office and require short visits, and you can walk comfortably out of the doctor's office on your own.

How it works
Minimally invasive laser treatments and injections are used to collapse and then shrink the affected veins. Thereafter, the veins are then absorbed into the tissue that underlay this, and will bring a clear effect such that all the visible traces will be gone. The surrounding healthy veins will then take control and restore the normal circulation of the body. While there might be some little bruising noticed, it will only last temporarily.

Options available
Today the treatments for these veins are improved and what's more, the process is much more comfortable. This is unlike the past where thick, uncomfortable, elastic compression socks were used to relieve pain and the procedures involved a surgery where veins are stripped out of the leg and patients are put under anesthetics. The options that are available today include endovenous laser ablation where a map around the abnormal vein is created with ultrasound, a catheter inserted into the vein and a laser carefully passed through the catheter generating a controlled amount of heat that will seal the vein and redirect blood to the healthy vessels. There is injection sclerotherapy where a pharmaceutical liquid is injected into the vein that will cause the vessels walls to adhere and then seal shut and the blood instantly gets directed to healthier veins while the treated vein disappears. Laser sclerotherapy is reserved for tiny superficial veins and may not get injected.

While there is no cure for varicose veins, a doctor can prescribe post treatment instructions that will minimize the chances of a patient getting the veins again. Things like managing diet, exercise and good lifestyle choices are among them. Also routine monitoring is the key to preventing future reoccurrences.

Want Beautiful Legs? You Can Opt for Vein Removal Therapy

Blood vessels are normally hidden under the skin, but a common complaint of people who stand for long durations of time is the appearance of bluish veins on their legs. In most cases, these veins appear twisted and enlarged. This condition is known as varicose veins. Pregnant women also often suffer from this condition.

Causes of Varicose Veins:

Occupational: Standing long hours

Genetic tendency

Deep vein thrombosis: A condition which affects the valves of veins

It might get triggered during pregnancy and due to obesity

Apart from the appearance of veins, the patient may experience swelling of the calf muscles, cramps in the legs and a feeling of heaviness. If left untreated, it could result in the formation of varicose ulcers and other complications.

Homeopathy is a holistic form of treatment that is very effective when it comes to varicose veins. This form of medication does not address only the symptoms, but also takes into account the personality of the person and his or her overall health.

It helps to reduce pain, control further varicosity, reduces swelling. Homeopathy also helps significantly in the cases which have varicose ulcers. Homeopathic treatment is strongly recommended for all cases of varicose veins except for those which are truly surgical in nature.

Homeopathy treats this condition by stimulating the immune system and restorative processes in the body while strengthening the walls of the veins. It has negligible side effects, but should ideally be taken under a qualified homeopath doctor s guidance. Some homeopathic remedies used to treat varicose veins include the following:

Hamamelis: Hamamelis is the most popular homeopathic medicine used to treat varicose veins. This is prescribed in cases where the veins bleed and there is a feeling of tiredness. The patient may also feel the leg muscles becoming sore or bruised and suffer from inflamed varices.

Pulsatilla: This medicine is often prescribed to pregnant women suffering from varicose veins and in cases of varicose veins that are extremely painful. Some of the personality characteristics taken into account when prescribing Pulsatilla is intolerance to heat and thirstlessness.

Calcarea: Painless cases of varicose veins are often treated with Calcarea. However, there may be a burning sensation in the varicose veins. The patient, in such cases, is usually obese, but malnourished and sweats excessively though his/her hands and feet stay cold.

Graphites: Varicose veins that are excessively itchy can be treated with Graphites. It is also effective in cases where the patient suffers from cramps in the legs and other skin problems. Patients who benefit from Graphites for varicose vein treatment are often obese and suffer from constipation.

Arnica: Arnica is often used to treat varicose veins that are sore and bruised. In such cases, the patient s legs may also have blue black discolouration and they may appear as if they had been beaten. Any kind of exertion aggravates the symptoms.  

Homeopathic Remedies For Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are a condition marked by enlarged or gnarled veins. This typically affects the veins in the feet and legs. In most cases, varicose veins are a mere cosmetic concern but in some cases, it can be quite uncomfortable and painful. If left untreated, it can also lead to further complications.

Varicose veins may be caused by a lack of elasticity in the veins causing blood to pool in them and flow back-wards. This blood is deoxygenated and hence the veins appear blue. Women have a higher risk of suffering from varicose veins as compared to men. This risk also increases with age and weight. Pregnancy can also cause varicose veins. The most common symptoms of this condition are:

visible veins just under the surface of the skin
veins that appear blue and gnarled
a dull ache in the legs
throbbing or burning sensation in the calves
pain in the legs that worsens after standing or sitting in the same position for a long time
itching around the veins
bleeding veins
inflammation of the skin or ulcers around the ankles
red or blue spider veins
Varicose veins can be treated with simple home remedies. Keeping the legs raised or wearing compression stockings can relieve the pain associated with varicose veins and prevent the condition from worsening. Exercise can also help improve blood circulation. If these home remedies are not effective, the patient may need to consult a doctor.

Varicose veins cannot be completely prevented. However, an individual can reduce the risk of suffering from this condition. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to do this as being overweight can increase the pressure on the legs and hence aggravate varicose veins. Women with a family history of varicose veins should also avoid wearing high heels and tight stockings.

Complications caused by varicose veins are rare. However, some people may experience bleeding on the surface of the skin. There are chances that the veins deep inside the muscle may get twisted which may lead to the swelling of the calf muscles. Varicose veins may also cause painful ulcers around the ankles and is a result of the buildup of fluid around the ankles.

All the complication must be reported to the doctor at the earliest to prevent the condition from worsening.

Varicose Veins - The Most Common Symptoms Your Should Know!

Varicose veins are abnormal veins that usually appear as bulging, twisting, rope-like cords in the lower extremity. It is a very common condition, nearly affecting 25% of men and 40% women. Varicose veins occur when the valves in the veins do not properly function. As a result, blood cannot flow effectively.

Risk Factors

A number of factors can put you at risk of developing varicose veins. These may include  

  Heredity
  Gender
  Pregnancy
  Age
  Prolonged standing
  Obesity

Symptoms Associated with Varicose Veins

For many people, varicose veins develop without revealing any symptom. However, others may experience the following signs  

  Visible purple veins
  Heaviness in the calves
  Swelling and tenderness
  Leg tiredness
  Pain
  Blood clots

If the condition deteriorates, you may also encounter symptoms like  

  Ankle sores
  Skin ulcers
  Bleeding

If you have a severe case, your veins may rupture. Therefore, consult a doctor and get the condition treated before it worsens.

Treating Varicose Veins with Radiology

If conservative techniques   compression stockings, lifestyle changes, and others   fail to relive the symptoms or cure the condition, your doctor may recommend radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins.
Radiofrequency ablation involves using heat from an electric current produced by a radio wave to remove the damaged tissues. The procedure takes place in a hospital or a clinic under the supervision of a radiologist.
The specialist will first prep you up for the procedure   the appropriate leg will be prepared using sterile technique and you will be given local anaesthesia. Ablating the veins using laser takes only about a few minutes. Once the procedure is completed, the patient may be kept under observation briefly before being let off. However, he/she might have to wear a special compression stocking, as prescribed by the doctor, to speed up healing.

Varicose veins typically deteriorate over time despite making necessary lifestyle changes for pain management. The minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation procedure is an effective treatment for a condition as painful as varicose veins. It is safer than surgery with minimal risks. Since it is an outpatient procedure, the patient is allowed to walk away the same day.

Varicose Veins - Know All About Them!

Blood flows through the tubes called as blood vessels. There are two networks of blood vessels   the arteries and the veins. The arteries carry pure or oxygenated blood from the heart to the various parts of the body. The veins, on the other hand, collect impure blood from all over the body and reach it to the heart. Blood flow in the veins is controlled via valves, which ensure blood does not flow in the reverse direction (against its desired direction of flow). The veins in the legs, which are farther from the heart, are quite thick and exert extra pressure to pump blood into the heart. They need to transport blood against gravity and so in people who are prone to stand for long hours, they can become thicker, swollen, twisted, and engorged. In severe cases, there could even lead to bleeding.

Some common causes for varicose veins are:

Damaged valves which are not able to control the flow of blood in the required direction.
Veins with a thin wall that are unable to control blood flow.
Risk factors: Though these are the suspected causes, there are specific risk factors which aggravate the condition of varicose veins.

Family history
Smoking
Occupations which require prolonged standing (construction jobs, painters, etc.)
Pregnancy
Obesity
Age, which reduces the elasticity of the veins
Surgery in the leg, which could have hampered the values or veins
There are quite a few symptoms of varicose veins. These are quite distinct and present as:

Swollen, ropy leg veins which can be blue
Pain, especially with prolonged standing
Tenderness on touching the veins
Itching and heaviness along the veins
Skin changes like scaling and dryness
Night cramps around the area
Susceptibility to bleed from these veins
While varicose veins are easy to diagnose given their distinct clinical presentation, some additional testing can involve the following:

Doppler ultrasound
Scanning
MRI
As said, prevention is better than cure; here are some preventive measures that can be really helpful:

Elevate legs as much as possible. When working, take short breaks to reduce stagnation and promote blood circulation
Quit smoking
Avoiding alcohol, as it causes venous dilation
Weight management
Avoid tight clothing and sitting with cross-legs for prolonged periods as they put a lot of pressure on the veins and valves
Follow a regular exercise regimen to improve blood flow in the legs, like walking or running
Starting from the least invasive to the most, this condition can be treated by:

Compression stocking (Ted hose or Jobst stocking) which improves circulation and reducing pain
Surgical options include sclerotherapy, laser treatment, and stripping off the vein. These are done in very severe cases, but quite rare.

Varicose Veins - How Best It Can Diagnosed?

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