Varicose veins are a condition in which the veins are twisted and enlarged. Though any superficial vein can be varicose, the most commonly affected veins are those in the legs. This is because the pressure in the veins of the lower body increases while standing and walking.
For most patients, varicose veins are a cosmetic concern but for a few, it causes pain and discomfort. Varicose veins can be treated at home or as recommended by doctor, the veins can be closed or removed.
What Are The Factors That Increase The Risk Of Developing A Varicose Vein?
The common risk factors that are involved in the development of varicose veins are:
Age - The valves in your veins that control blood flow wear off as a person gets older. As a result, the valves eventually allow some blood to flow back into the veins, where it gathers, rather than going up to the heart.
Pregnancy - The volume of blood in the body grows throughout pregnancy. This shift benefits the developing fetus, but it also has the unintended consequence of causing larger veins in the legs. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy may also be a factor.
Family history - If the patient has a family history of varicose veins, the chances of developing this condition is high.
Obesity – Added pressure on the veins due to obesity is another cause.
How Is A Varicose Vein Treated With The Help Of Surgery?
Sclerotherapy – In this procedure, a solution or foam is injected into small and medium-sized varicose veins, scarring and closing them. Varicose veins that have been treated should fade in a few weeks. Sclerotherapy is effective if done correctly, even if the same vein needs to be injected multiple times. Sclerotherapy does not require anesthesia.
Foam sclerotherapy of large veins – Injecting a large vein with foam and closing the vein is also possible in this procedure.
Laser treatment – Smaller varicose veins and spider veins are being treated with modern laser technology by doctors. The laser treatment causes the vein to shrink and disintegrate over time by sending intense bursts of light at it. There are no incisions or needles involved in this procedure.
Catheter-assisted procedure – This procedure can be done using radiofrequency or laser energy. In one of these procedures, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into an enlarged vein, and radiofrequency or laser radiation is used to heat the catheter's tip. The heat from the catheter will cause the vein to collapse, hence this procedure is the ideal option for larger varicose veins.
High ligation and vein stripping – This procedure is done by tying off a vein before it connects to a deep vein and then removing it using minor incisions. Larger amounts of blood are handled by veins deeper in the leg therefore, removing the vein will not prevent the blood from circulating.
Ambulatory phlebectomy – Smaller varicose veins are removed through a series of small punctures on the skin made by a doctor. Typically, this operation is done as an outpatient treatment.
Endoscopic vein surgery – This treatment is recommended only in severe leg ulcers, or if other treatments fail. The surgeon operates and closes varicose veins with a thin video camera inserted into the leg, and removes the veins through small incisions.
