Basic HTML Version
YOU’VE
noticed that the veins
in the backs of your calves appear
swollen and raised above the surface
of your skin. Your legs feel heavy,
tired and achy. "ese may be the
signs and symptoms of varicose veins.
Varicose veins can be caused by
weak or damaged valves in your veins.
If a valve doesn’t work properly, blood
can leak back into the veins and col-
lect there—causing the veins to swell.
Varicose veins may get worse with-
out treatment. Common symptoms
include aching, throbbing and dis-
comfort. In some cases, they can also
lead to more serious problems such
as sores, skin ulcers or bleeding.
Spider veins are tiny veins that
constantly look dilated. Caused by
weak vascular walls and ine*cient
circulation, spider veins cause no
health problems, but many people
feel they look unappealing. Spider
veins can sometimes resemble a
spider: a large dark spot with thin
veins radiating out of it, or they may
appear in other patterns and varia-
tions in di%erent places in the body.
Frequently occurring in the legs,
spider veins
can be dark or
lighter shades
of blue, purple
or red.
Treatment options to consider
Varicose and spider veins may
be treated with lifestyle changes like
losing weight or performing leg
exercises. If these treatments don’t
work, your healthcare provider may
recommend a minimally invasive
procedure. According to Bryan Yen,
MD, Vascular & Interventional Ra-
diologist at Sharon Hospital, three of
the most common ones are:
Sclerotherapy.
"is frequently
used treatment involves injecting a
sterile chemical into the veins, which
irritates their lining and makes it
become in&amed, harden and even-
tually fade away completely. Blood
still circulates through healthy veins
located deeper within the body, so the
outward appearance and pain some-
times associated with the problem
veins is signi$cantly improved.
Ambulatory phlebectomy.
Ambulatory phlebectomy micro-
extraction involves removing large
surface varicose veins
through very small
incisions that need no
stitches. It is usually
performed along with
endovenous laser ablation (EVLT) or
another anti-re&ux procedure. While
EVLT treats the underlying source of
varicose veins, ambulatory phlebec-
tomy is a minimally invasive surgical
technique used to treat varicose veins
just under the skin. "e abnormal
vein is removed through a tiny inci-
sion or incisions, using a special set of
tools. O#en, the incisions are so small
that at two months they are hardly
visible, and at six months no signs
of surgery can be found. "e proce-
dure is done under local anesthesia
and typically takes one to two hours
or less. Recovery is rapid, and most
patients do not need to interrupt
regular activity a#er the procedure. In
fact, staying active a#er the procedure
typically is encouraged.
EVLT.
"is treatment uses tar-
geted laser energy to close the vein
and helps patients look and feel bet-
ter fast. "e bene$ts of the proce-
dure are relief from heaviness in the
legs. A#er the procedure, patients
will have the con$dence to show o%
their legs.
"e minimally invasive laser pro-
cedure treats varicose veins without
scarring. "e laser energy shrinks
the vein walls, closing the faulty
vein so that the blood cannot &ow
through it. "is eliminates the bulg-
ing of the vein at its source. A#er the
treatment, the blood in the faulty
veins is diverted to the many normal
veins in the leg.
"e procedure takes about
45 minutes with local anesthesia and
is done on an outpatient basis.
To $nd out which treatment would
work best for you, talk to your health-
care provider.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology; Society for Vascular
Surgery; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
For more information or to
schedule an appointment,
please call
860.364.4468
.
Say goodbye to varicose veins
HEALTH & WELLNESS
lifeand health
w
9