When vein vessel walls become weak or stretched for any reason, blood flow starts to flow downward into the legs which can cause swelling and bulging of the legs. Varicose veins can cause discomfort and are also cosmetically unappealing. You may need to see a vein doctor for the treatment of varicose veins and venous disease at some point in your lifetime and it is im-portant to explore different treatment options available so you can make the most informed de-cision.
Treatment Options for Varicose Veins
Most of the treatment options available for varicose veins are minimally-invasive and have a fairly fast recovery time. Some of the most common and effective options for treating varicose veins include:
EndoVenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) – laser energy is used to break down the diseased portion of the vein until it is sealed closed. The dead tissue is reabsorbed by the body. The laser treat-ment is an in-office procedure with virtually no down time.
Scelotherapy – this involves injecting chemicals directly into the affected veins so that the veins harden and are no longer able to be filled with blood. The veins are reabsorbed by the body within a few weeks and months.
Vein Stripping and Vein Ligation – well-suited for removing very large veins, this procedure in-volves making an incision over the varicose vein and then tying it off. Surgical removal is often a last resort for patients with very large veins.
Understanding Venous Disease
If you have been diagnosed with venous disease and have issues such as spider veins and vascular blemishes in addition to varicose veins, you will need to see a vascular specialist for more advanced procedures. Venous disease can develop over time and may be present at dif-ferent stages throughout your lifetime. Some of the most common types of venous disease in-clude:
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Liver disease
• Leg artery disease
• Diabetic vascular disease
• Renal failure
• Vascular malformations
• Renovascular conditions
Your vascular surgeon can determine what type of treatment will be most appropriate for you based on your condition.
Learn more about treatment options for varicose veins and venous disease by scheduling your appointment at our Los Angeles or Glendale office today.
