Varicose Veins are an ailment that causes veins in the legs to bulge, twist, turn blue, or darken in color, itch, or swell. They are often associated with pregnancy, obesity, family history of varicose veins, or standing for long periods. Weakened valves cause varicose veins in the leg’s veins, which develop due to aging, prolonged standing, or obesity. The valves become weak due to repeated blood flow through the vein against gravity. The vein dilates and then collapses when the heart relaxes between beats when this occurs.
Over time these veins become distended and twisted. The development of new varicose veins is often related to increased pressure in the lower limbs, which are brought on by pregnancy, gravity due to being overweight, or loss of elasticity in the connective tissue surrounding leg veins. If you have varicose veins, a specialist in treating varicose veins in Bakersfield may recommend some of the treatments listed below.
Table of Contents
1. Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is the injection of an agent into the varicose veins, which causes them to collapse and fade away. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes to perform. You will be lightly sedated for this procedure. A painless numbing medication will also be injected around the vein to make it more comfortable during the treatment process. They will place your hands and feet in stirrups to access the targeted veins. An excellent needle is inserted directly into each varicose vein, and a solution is injected. This bursts the vein lining, causing it to collapse and fade away over time.
2. Compression Stockings
Compression stockings are elastic garments that help remove blood from the lower extremities and return it to the heart. For decades, compression has been used to prevent blood clots after surgery or injuries. You must wear these days while you sleep, sit for extended periods, and exercise. The manufacturers of compression stockings recommend them for anyone with varicose veins, edema, or long periods of sitting.
3. Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency Ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins. During this procedure, heat generated by radio waves causes the vein wall to close down and shrink, which is then naturally reabsorbed into your body. This vascular interventional painless procedure can help treat more prominent varicose veins with few associated risks. This is done with a catheter that is inserted into the diseased vein. In some cases, a laser may coagulate the damaged veins and close them down permanently.
4. VenaSeal Closure System
The VenaSeal Closure System is a procedure that involves inserting a thin expandable wire mesh tube into your body’s blood vessel to close off the diseased vessel’s opening. The mesh tube then acts as a scaffold to attract and activate your body’s natural clotting abilities to form a blood clot over the mesh tube, which permanently closes off the treated vein without heat or electricity is involved. There is minimal pain due to this procedure because you are only under mild sedation.
In summary, there are various treatment options available for those with varicose veins. The best choice will depend on the severity and location of your condition and your personal preference. Some of the most common treatments include sclerotherapy, compression stockings, radiofrequency ablation, and the Venaseal closure system.