Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that usually appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs. They occur when the valves in the veins become weak or damaged, causing blood to pool and the veins to enlarge. While often considered a cosmetic concern, varicose veins can sometimes lead to discomfort, pain, and more serious complications.
Causes:
- Genetics: Family history of varicose veins.
- Age: Vein elasticity decreases with age, leading to valve dysfunction.
- Gender: Women are more prone due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause.
- Pregnancy: Increased blood volume and pressure on leg veins during pregnancy.
- Obesity: Excess weight increases pressure on veins.
- Prolonged Standing or Sitting: Reduces blood flow, leading to vein swelling.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of movement can weaken veins and valves.
- Hormonal Treatments: Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
- Injury: Trauma to the legs can damage veins.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Blood clots in deeper veins can cause varicose veins.
Treatments
- Compression Stockings Helps improve blood flow and reduce discomfort.
- Lifestyle Changes including Weight loss, regular exercise, and elevating legs to reduce pressure on veins.
- Sclerotherapy: Injection of a solution that scars and closes varicose veins.
- Laser Therapy: Uses laser energy to close off smaller varicose veins.
- Endovenous Ablation Therapy: Uses heat from lasers or radio waves to seal off larger varicose veins.
- Vein Stripping: Surgical removal of the affected veins.
- Microphlebectomy: Removal of smaller varicose veins through tiny skin punctures.
- Uses radiofrequency energy to heat and close off the vein.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery for varicose veins is a minimally invasive procedure that uses focused laser energy to close off smaller varicose veins. The laser light is directed onto the vein through the skin, causing the vein to collapse and eventually fade away. This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, involves minimal discomfort, and requires little to no recovery time. Laser surgery is effective for treating spider veins and smaller varicose veins that are close to the skin's surface.