Varicose Vein Treatment: Myths and Facts

Did you know that up to 30% of Australians suffer from a vein disorder? It isn’t surprising to discover the various myths surrounding problem veins. Some of the most common myths have been about varicose veins treatment, the signs and symptoms, and post-treatment recovery. The problem with these misconceptions is that they could discourage people from seeking treatment and in doing so, increase the risk to their health. So, as varicose vein specialists, we wanted to debunk them to help you make an informed decision about your veins.?

Myths and Facts About Varicose Veins

My varicose veins aren’t bothering me, so I don’t need treatment.?

Without unpleasant symptoms, it can become easy to ignore varicose veins, especially when you have a busy life and a demanding career. However, varicose veins can worsen over time. They can grow larger, becoming difficult to conceal. Additionally, they can cause itching, swelling, and pain that can impact your quality of life. According to a?clinical research study,?these symptoms can make it difficult to stand for long periods and affect your ability to perform regular work tasks. If left untreated, varicose veins can even lead to:

• Deep vein thrombosis. A blood clot forms in a deep vein and partially obstructs blood flow. If the clot dislodges, it could travel into the heart or lungs, leading to pulmonary embolism.
• Varicose eczema: a condition that causes your skin to become hard, dry, and itchy. As this layer of dermal protection can no longer function as normal, you become more prone to infection.?
• Venous ulcers. These are open, chronic sores that appear around the affected area. And unfortunately, they are notoriously difficult to get rid of once you have them.?

I can treat my varicose veins at home

Natural at-home remedies are good for relieving varicose veins symptoms, but they aren't a replacement for medical intervention. Varicose veins stem from malfunctioning vein valves, which can only be addressed by medically sealing or removing the vein they’re located in (more on that later).??

Like with the development of many illnesses, a healthy lifestyle is always recommended to decrease the risk of complications. You can alleviate symptoms by:

• Eating a well-balanced diet filled with vitamins and minerals. Certain foods promote healthy veins, which you can incorporate into your meals.
• Moving your body. Exercising can help boost circulation and ultimately, contribute to healthier veins. If your job entails having to sit or stand for prolonged periods, moving your body every day is essential. Here are some?exercises?that can help strengthen your veins.
• Elevating your legs. During rest periods, you can elevate your legs above heart level to help stimulate blood flow. If you’re experiencing swelling, bulging, or discomfort, doing this for around fifteen minutes daily can help lessen discomfort.
• Wearing compression stockings. Medical-grade compression stockings will activate the muscles to support the veins as they pump blood to the heart. They’ll also squeeze blood out of congested surface veins and into the deep veins so it can be carried to the heart more efficiently. Their function, according to the?European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery?and the accounts of our patients, will relieve pain, swelling, and limb fatigue.?

Learn more: How Does Compression Help Varicose Veins?

Surgery is the only option for varicose veins.

For years,?surgery?has served as the main method to remove varicose veins. Traditional varicose veins treatment methods include surgical stripping and phlebectomy, which require in-hospital care and a longer recovery period.

But thanks to today’s technological advancements, varicose veins treatments no longer require surgery. Using the latest technology from Europe and the USA, The Vein Institute provides non-surgical, minimally invasive laser treatments for our patients. These include:?

• Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA). In this procedure, one of our vein doctors will feed a thin laser fibre into the varicose vein and heat it to seal it shut. They’ll use a local anaesthetic to ensure your comfort and will only need to make a 1mm incision for the fibre. Once the vein is sealed, your body will reroute blood flow into surrounding veins and absorb the varicose one.?
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). RFA is very similar to EVLA, but instead of using laser energy to heat and seal the vein shut, your vein doctor will use short bursts of radiofrequency energy.
• Medical Superglue (VenaSeal). Instead of using thermal ablation, your doctor will inject VenaSeal solution into the varicose vein and apply gentle pressure to seal it shut. Depending on the size of the varicose vein, they may use syringe injections or the thin VenaSeal catheter.
• Sclerotherapy. Similarly to a VenaSeal procedure, your doctor will inject a special solution into the varicose vein. But instead of glue, they’ll use sclerosant, which will collapse the vein walls, sealing it shut. Depending on the size of the vein, we may use traditional syringe injections, foam sclerotherapy (which combines sclerosant with co2 to create a foamy substance that covers more of the vein), or the ClariVein catheter.?

The ClariVein catheter’s tip rotates and marks up the vein wall while simultaneously dispersing the sclerosant, allowing vein doctors to use it on larger veins than what foam and traditional sclerotherapy allow.??

Varicose veins treatment is painful.?

Because traditional varicose veins treatments involve surgery, it isn’t surprising that patients would need to undergo cuts and incisions. But luckily, minimally invasive treatments are now possible.?

With these?treatments, you’ll likely experience a feeling of?discomfort?rather than pain. During an?EVLA?procedure, the doctor will administer a local anaesthetic through a fine needle before using a laser to ablate the vein. Patients typically describe the laser sensation as uncomfortable rather than painful.

For treatments like Sclerotherapy and Medical Superglue, you might experience the same feeling as getting a vaccination or a blood test.

I’ll need to take several days off to recover.

With varicose veins surgical procedures, patients would need up to four weeks to recover. But with the availability of minimally invasive laser treatments, a walk-in walk-out experience is now possible. You can undergo vein treatment without hospitalisation:?

• Minimal to no downtime or time away from work.
• You can drive after the procedure if you haven’t taken any medications to reduce anxiety.
• Long-distance travel is possible as long as travel time is no longer than five hours.

Still have questions?

If you’re experiencing?symptoms?and suspect that you might have varicose veins, consult a specialist.?The Vein Institute?has a team of highly experienced vein doctors to provide you with safe, effective, and quality care.

Come see us for a consultation to get started on your treatment plan. Call us today at 13 VEINS (13 83467) or?request an appointment online.