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What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose Veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red or flesh-coloured. They are often raised above the skin and look like twisted, bulging chords. Varicose veins occur when the valves in the leg veins no longer function, causing blood to pool in the legs.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Large prominent veins in your legs with limb swelling causing aches, heaviness and discolouration around the ankle. In later stages, these may also cause itching in the lower leg, ulcerations, bleeding from the veins and acute pain in your legs.

What should I do if I have varicose veins?

Self-care such as doing exercises, elevating your legs, avoiding prolonged standing and wearing compression stockings can help you ease the pain of varicose veins and may prevent them from getting worse. But these measures will not cure this condition.

When should I seek medical help?

If the above measures do not relieve your symptoms; or if symptoms worsen inspite of these measures you need to consult a Vascular Specialist.

What would be the test done for me?

You would be advised to undergo a few basic tests and an ultrasound scan of your veins to decide on a personalized treatment plan for you..

What are the treatments options available?

If you have only mild varicose veins and you do not show any significant symptoms, you would be prescribed medical compression stockings. However, this may not cure your varicose veins but might make you feel better and could prevent progression of your disease.

Are there any other medicines for varicose veins?

No. There are no medicines to cure your varicose veins; but some tablets that can give you temporary relief.

What does Varicose Vein Surgery involve?

Surgery involves spinal or general anaesthesia and a 2 to 3 cms incision in the upper thigh and division of diseased thigh vein in the groin. This is followed by removal of the whole of the diseased thigh vein by a procedure called ‘stripping’. You will have to be in hospital for a day or two and can get back to work by a week or two.

What are the problems of surgery?

Apart from being an open surgical procedure, the surgery involves anesthesia and slightly delays return to normal activities.

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy involves injection of a sclerosant solution under ultrasound guidance in to the varicose veins. This causes scarring in the vein and destruction of the diseased veins in your legs. The procedure does not require anesthesia and can be done as an outpatient procedure. This modality is used for treatment of small and medium sized veins and we do not recommend this treatment for large size veins

What is Laser therapy for treatment of varicose veins?

Laser treatment involves treatment of your varicose veins using laser thermal energy. A small laser fiber is inserted in to the diseased vein under ultrasound guidance through a small needle puncture in the lower thigh or upper leg. Then laser energy is activated to destroy the diseased vein from inside, which later shrinks and is absorbed by the body.

Does laser treatment involve hospital stay?

No, laser treatment is done under local anesthesia and usually patients are discharged the same day. They may return to normal activities by next day or two.

What are the precautions after laser treatment?

There are no restrictions in general after laser treatment but you will have to wear medical compression stockings for 6 weeks after the procedure. You will have to come to our clinic after 1 week and the after 6 weeks for a check scan of your treated veins.

What are the treatment options for cure of Varicose Veins?

1 Surgery
2 Sclerotherapy
3 Endovenous laser treatment

Broadly speaking, the treatment of varicose veins involve either removal of the diseased veins surgically or destruction of damaged veins by sclerotherapy or laser energy.

It is difficult to prescribe a single treatment mode to a particular patient. The decision on the right personalized treatment mode would arrived upon after consultation and detailed investigations.