Varicose Veins

on the Leg

About Varicose Veins

Varicose veins can appear when blood collects in the vein instead of being pumped directly to the heart. Varicose veins are gnarled and enlarged. Any vein may become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected are those in your legs and feet. That's because standing and walking increase the pressure in the veins in your lower body. Varicose veins are more common in women than men. For some people, varicose veins are primarily a cosmetic concern, while others experience aching and discomfort in the area.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Varicose veins are most often treated with one of several non-surgical treatments. The most common treatment is called Sclerotherapy, where a solution is injected into the vein that seals it shut. The vein then turns into scar tissue, and color and inflammation of the vein usually fade in a few weeks. There is a new type of this therapy being used called microsclerotherapy which uses specialized solutions and injection techniques. Some doctors use an electrical current rather than injections to seal the vein; this is called Electrodesiccation. Laser surgery is sometimes used, most commonly for small varicose veins or spider veins. In this treatment, strong bursts of light are sent into the vein, causing it to slowly fade and disappear. A final treatment that can be used is vein stripping, where a long vein is removed through small incisions.