If you are suffering from varicose veins, you are probably weighing various varicose vein treatment options or have just started exploring what your choices may be. Varicose veins are an extremely common condition among those who are overweight, though they can affect almost anyone. The good news is that these prominent blood vessels do not normally cause symptoms and can be safely and effectively addressed with varicose vein treatment.
What are Varicose Veins?
Veins that are functioning normally have the task of transporting blood from different parts of your body back to your heart for re-oxygenation. They have one-way valves that prevent blood from returning into them. For reasons that are not always clear, varicose veins have dysfunctional valves that allow blood to return and pool into them, leading to their infamous twisted, ropey appearance.
Spider veins are a type of varicose vein that are quite smaller than most blood vessels. They have a much lower incidence of symptoms and have a characteristic spider-web appearance. Most spider veins are blue or red in color.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a version of varicose vein treatment that relies upon the injection of an irritating solution into the problem vein. After this solution is injected into the vein, its walls collapse and it is destroyed. The remains of the vein will be gradually absorbed by your body, while the blood that once traveled through it will be rerouted into neighboring healthy blood vessels.
You will need to wear compression stockings for a period after your sclerotherapy procedure. This helps to enhance blood flow in your legs and keep vessels in the treatment area flattened. You are encouraged to walk for at least half an hour right after your treatment and continue walking for a couple of weeks. Avoid strenuous exercise for a day or two.
What is EVLA?
Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) is a more modern version of varicose veins treatment that relies upon the use of a laser instead of a chemical solution. We use a laser to transmit focused light energy into the walls of the problem vein. This causes it to collapse and be absorbed by your body. As with sclerotherapy, the blood that once flowed through the destroyed vein will be taken up by nearby blood vessels.
The dressing under your compression stocking should remain on your treated leg until the next day. Keep the compression stocking on your leg at all times after your treatment. You should sleep with it on and try to keep it dry when showering.
Your Consultation
If you feel that you would benefit from a varicose vein treatment like sclerotherapy or EVLA, please reach out and make an appointment with Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. At our convenient location in Alpharetta, our caring and dedicated team of professionals will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation!