A huge percentage of women above 40 years suffer from a condition called varicose veins. In this condition, veins, especially on the lower legs appear swollen with bluish or purplish in color. These veins are also known as spider veins. This condition develops more likely in women than men, because hormonal imbalance due to menopause or pregnancy is a major cause. Some other causes are age, obesity, and genetic factors. Sometimes, due to excess amount of estrogen because of intake of the contraceptive pill, standing or sitting for a prolonged period, living a sedentary lifestyle also trigger this condition. Although this condition is not quite painful, but, if left untreated, it can cause health issues like ulcers and other such problems.
In most cases, varicose veins condition is due to genetic factor. Spider vein is one type of varicose vein which can result in complications like venous eczema, blood clot, ulcer, skin breakdown, and so on. In some rare cases, it could also lead to skin cancer. This condition is predominant in older people, because the valves of the veins become weaker or dead and cannot prevent the blood from the heart to flow back into the legs. As a result, the veins swell and form the varicosities condition. The body finds some alternative path so that the blood flows back to the heart. So, the affected veins can be treated without causing any change to the body.
There are various modern painless methods to remove varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment method advised by the doctors. In this process, the doctor injects a solution known as sclerosant into the affected veins. The solution irritates the blood vessels and makes them swell and stick together. As a result, the veins gradually fade after a time of one to two weeks. The patient is advised to wear compression stockings. Sclerotherapy is quite effective, but sometime could be very painful and leave bruise marks as well. Some other side effects could be the formation of spots, brown lines, blood clotting, swelling or matting. Though many of these side effects are temporary and disappear within a year. However, in very rare cases, the injection site may undergo ulceration, leaving a permanent scar.
The most recent and preferred method of varicose veins removal is the laser therapy. This is the most sought after method because of its quick recovery and effectiveness. The affected vein is destroyed by a laser ray. The laser ray is passed through the skin and targets the blood vessels. This treatment can be applied for dilated blood vessels on the face as well. This treatment also has fewer side effects. The bluish veins up to 2 millimeters in diameter can be removed by this method. The recovery time is quicker than the previous method, as there is no surgical procedure involved.
However, if the varicose veins are quite large, then the treatment methods of Endogenous Ablation or Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy are recommended by the doctor.
