Making Varicose Veins Disappear
Varicose veins damage more than appearance. These twisted, bluish, raised veins usually develop on the back of calves or inside of the leg. While healthy leg veins transport blood back to the heart to get more oxygen, varicose veins slow down the process because of their weakened, unhealthy state.
As a result, people with varicose veins frequently complain of a tiredness or heaviness in their legs. Varicose veins can also cause swollen ankles, sores or, in extreme cases, difficult-to-heal ulcers. Varicose veins are a common vascular (referring to veins and arteries that circulate blood) disorder in the United States.
Leigh Shuman, MD, an interventional radiologist with Lancaster Radiology Associates and Chairman, Lancaster General Hospital Department of Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging, identifies some factors that can contribute to varicose vein formation:
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Heredity (close family relative with varicose veins)
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Being female
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Age (between 30-70 years)
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Obesity (increased pressure can weaken veins)
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Hormones (changes caused by puberty, menopause, pregnancy and medications)
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Pregnancy (increased hormones, weight gain and more blood circulating)
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Job (standing or sitting for long periods increases blood pressure on veins)
In most situations, your doctor may first recommend at-home treatments, such as:
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Wearing compression socks or stockings
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Lowering your salt intake
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Wearing clothing that fits loosely around your waist and legs
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Losing unnecessary weight
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Frequently moving or stretching if sitting or standing longer than 30 minutes
These simple steps often provide relief. But if they do not, physicians can use a minimally invasive or surgical treatment to correct the problem.
Treatments
Small incision avulsion or hook phlebectomy: For large or deep veins. Performed alone or with vein stripping (see description below), this type of vein removal pulls the veins through small incisions using special hooks.
Vein ligation and stripping: For large or deep varicose veins. A surgical incision is made over the vein, which is then tied off. Badly damaged veins are removed (stripped) through an incision at the groin and calf area. Less than 10 percent of patients with varicose veins require vein stripping.
Endovenous ablation: A less invasive alternative for treating large or deep varicose veins. With endovenous ablation (thermal or radio-frequency ablation), a special catheter is inserted into an affected vein. Electrodes on the catheter send bursts of radiofrequency energy into the vein walls. The heat destroys the varicose vein and the body redirects the blood flow into healthier veins. Because this therapy only requires a small incision and local anesthesia, patients can resume normal activities within a day or two.
Starting this spring, professionals from the Lancaster Vascular Institute and Surgical Specialists of Lancaster will perform endovenous ablation at the Lancaster General Health Campus on an outpatient basis. Both of these groups also have their medical offices located at the Health Campus. In addition, Matthew Bacharach, MD, a solo practice surgeon, will also offer this procedure at the Health Campus.
You can find out more about varicose veins and steps you can take to prevent developing vascular problems on our online health library.
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