Myths and Facts about Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous veins that can occur in the legs. They varies from small, thin purple-coloured lines (called Spider veins) that lie just below the skin surface, to a bigger ones which are thick, bulging or knotty.
Lots of people may regards varicose veins as a cosmetic issue and not to worry about them. However , they may be serious problem associated with venous reflux due to incompetent valves inside the veins. It is best to have this problem confirmed by an experience Ultrasound Specialist doctor and appropriate treatment can be recommended.
How common are varicose veins and venous reflux disease?
Varicose veins are a common medical condition affecting 40% of women and 25% of men in Australia . It is an heredity problem , and usually one of your parents or grandparents have it. Other contributing factors are obesity, pregnancy, ageing process. Other factors aggravating and make the veins worse, including prolonged standing, obesity.While they looks benign , it is best to get them treated as nowadays, it is really simple to treat these veins. You DO not need major surgery and can be treated by injections, external laser or more severe cases , by ultrasound guided injections and Endovenous Ablative Laser treatment as an walk in and walk out Office, out patient procedure.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins? Will they get worse?
Common complaints from patients are feeling tight and heavy. Sometimes they are itchy or throbbing slightly painful. Swelling of the legs or ankles are also common complaints especially after a long day of standing on their feet. Left untreated, the skin changes such as discoloration, inflammation, eczema, pigmentations, and then fibrosis of subcutaneous tissue and eventually leg ulcers. By this stage , it become problematic , and high labour intensive nursing care or personal care and can even be smelly when the ulcers get infected.
What is the best approach ?
It is best get the diagnosis done and treated early before complications set in.
How can varicose vein be treated?
A. Simple, injection with sclerosant. This can be done in the doctor’s room as shown in the image below:
B. Sometimes a larger vein requires ultrasound guided injections. Larger varicose veins can be treated with Endovenous Ablative laser as shown in the image:
