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TREATMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS
Lifestyle changes
As described in the section on varicose veins, there are a range of causes of varicose veins and there are some lifestyle practices or habits that make people more prone to developing them. Any lifestyle changes to move away from these will help in treating varicose veins. General recommendations include:
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Adopting a healthier diet
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Getting more exercise and controlling/reducing body weight (this helps maintain blood flow in the legs and feet)
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Avoiding sitting or standing still for long periods
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Not wearing clothing that is tight-fitting around the waist and legs
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Minimising the wearing of high heeled shoes (shoes with lower heels help exercise the calf muscles)
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Elevating the legs when seated or lying down
If varicose veins are already present, the above changes will generally not reduce them, but they may stop them from getting worse.
Compression stockings
Special compression stockings called 'graduated compression stockings' are designed to place different levels of compression at different parts of the leg. Generally, this means greater compression at the ankle to help keep blood flowing back up towards the heart.
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It's important to have varicose veins assessed to make sure that the right grade of stocking is worn to minimise the risk of impaired blood flow in the feet and irritation of the skin.
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In very general terms there are three ways in which varicose veins can be treated:
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Lifestyle changes
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Compression stockings
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Medical procedures
Medical procedures
There are a range of different procedures to help people with varicose veins, including endovenous therapy, medical superglue treatment, ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, embolisation, phlebectomy and 'vein stripping'.
Phlebectomy / vein stripping
'Vein stripping' refers to the surgical removal of a vein or part of a vein. This procedure is generally carried out under a general anaesthetic, and recovery takes 3-6 weeks.
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A procedure called 'ambulatory phlebectomy' is an alternative approach where varicose veins are removed via very small incisions in the skin above the affected veins. It is carried out under local anaesthetic only and patients are able to resume daily activities the day after the procedure. Ambulatory phlebectomy is often combined with other treatments.
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Other treatments all involve mechanisms which leave the veins in place but prevent blood flow through them. Blood then makes its way via the remaining healthy and functional veins.
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This involves the use of a laser beam to damage the vein walls, which in turn result in the vein closing.
This involves the insertion of this glue into the vein which sticks the walls of the vein together, blocking blood flow through it.
This involves the introduction of a 'sclerosing agent' into the vein which results in the vein closing.