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| Varicose veins and spider
veins are both conditions that commonly affect the legs. However,
that is where the similarity ends! The causes of, and treatments
for, spider veins and varicose veins can be very different. This
article discusses traditional and state of the art treatments of
these conditions and provides tips to help to help you reduce the
occurrence of varicose and spider veins in the first place.
Varicose veins are the large, unsightly, ropelike blue vessels of the legs that may bulge and cause pain or discomfort. Varicose veins occur three times more frequently in women than in men and result from sluggish circulation due to factors such as heredity, occupations that |
longer wavelength to treat various sized vessels. Radiofrequency devices are also helping to treat problem varicose veins. In this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the diseased vein and the radiofrequency energy heats the vein wall. As the catheter is slowly pulled out, the vein closes behind it. With all these options available, varicose veins can be treated quickly and safely with little discomfort or down time.Unlike varicose veins, spider veins are superficial purple to red vessels. Some can be painful, but most are not. They can be unsightly. Treatment of spider veins is usually considered cosmetic and therefore not covered by insurance. Causes of spider veins include genetics, hormones, puberty, birth control pills, pregnancy and injury. While |
behind beautiful legs.
Complications or side effects from these treatments can include stinging or burning, cramping of the leg muscles, swelling of the ankles or feet, brown discoloration, bruising, breakdown of the skin (ulcers), inflammation of the vessels, and blood clots. Most of these cornplications are rare or manageable. During treatment, the areas injected are bandaged. Compression with support hose or wrapped bandages for two to three weeks is helpful to reduce complications, decrease the number of treatments needed, and make the treatment more successful. Sufferers of varicose and spider veins no longer have to endure painful procedures with permanent |
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| requirestanding for long periods, obesity. lack of exercise. smoking, and pregnancy.While there may be no symptoms in the early stages, advanced varicose veins can cause burning, itching, aching, and ankle swelling. Traditional methods of treatrnent include stripping the veins or tying them off (ligation). Newer methods are less invasive. Microphlebotomy, also called stab avulsion, allows swollen veins to be surgically pulled out through tiny incisions that leave no noticeable scarring. Lasers are providing a noninvasive alternative tosurgery for many sufferers. Unlike standard lasers, the PhotoDerm VL/PL laser uses a longer pulse duration and | spider veins cannot always be prevented, maintaining an ideal weight,exercising, and wearing support hose may minimize spider vein development. Although there is much hype about laser treatment for spider veins, the reality is that results vary dramatically depending on the type of laser used and the size of the vessel. The "gold standard" for treatment of spider veins is sclerotherapy. In this procedure, a solution is injected into the spider veins with a very small needle. This solution irritates the vessels causing scar tissue to develop in its place. After several treatments, the spider veins become lighter and gradually disappear as the body absorbs the scar tissue, leaving | scarring to have beautiful legs. Lasers,
radiofrequency devices, and microsurgery provide twenty-first
century options. As science advances, choices for treatment will
continue to become more numerous, safer. and more effective.
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