Veins are blood vessels that carry blood from the body organs to the heart, making a treatment necessary when circulatory problems are diagnosed. If not treated properly, diseases such as phlebitis, varicose veins , spider veins apart from the cosmetic part may cause serious complications.
Treatment for veins: What is Laser Treatment?
Laser for veins is a modern method of treating problems, such as varicose veins and spider veins, a method with which veins that do not work properly are not removed but are thermally eliminated using the laser. The walls of the vein absorb the heat generated by the laser, the vein shrinks, blood cannot pass through it and gradually the vein is absorbed by the body itself.
How is laser applied to veins?
As a first step, with the help of ultrasound, veins that need treatment are located and marked by the doctor with a marker. After that the foot is disinfected with antiseptic. Thanks to the use of local anesthesia, the method is painless and completely safe. By using ultrasound as a guide, which helps stabilize the laser, a thin laser fiber is inserted through the tip of a needle into the vein the doctor wants to operate on. The energy is channeled through the fiber and the vein is destroyed. Depending on the position and diameter of the vein, the corresponding amount of energy is delivered. Once the laser is applied, the fiber is withdrawn and the vein walls stick together resulting in the vein shrinking and in a short time destroyed.
How does the patient feel after the treatment for veins?
The patient can get up and walk immediately after treatment and can return home within a few hours. For fifteen days the use of elastic stocking is required, while in about two days they can return to their daily activities. Some patients may experience slight discomfort along the vein, which can be easily relieved by taking simple anti-inflammatory medicines.
How effective is laser vein treatment?
This treatment is extremely effective with very high success rates and low relapse rates. An important advantage of the method is that it can treat a vein problem at both ends at the same time. And because it is minimally invasive it can also be applied to patients with arterial, respiratory or heart problems.
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a non-invasive treatment for varicose veins, which can treat venous insufficiency in the lower limbs; that is, it can correct problems such as varicose veins and spider veins. This method causes the vein to harden and the lumen to close, forcing the blood to move through other healthy veins. Within a few weeks after treatment the veins disappear completely.
How is sclerotherapy done?
Sclerotherapy can be performed in the doctor’s office and does not require anesthesia. The doctor inserts the medicine into the vein with a tiny needle and the solution, which is in liquid form, acts on the walls of the vein and causes it to gradually harden, in order to close and block blood circulation. The patient may feel a slight tingling sensation as the needle is inserted into the vein. The number of injections will depend on the number of spider veins.
How is foam sclerotherapy performed?
Foam sclerotherapy is an evolution of the classic method and the procedure is simple and fast. The solution is inserted into the vein with a tiny needle while the infusion of the solution in the form of foam enhances its action. In addition, the foam removes the blood from the vein, making the medicine come in contact with the wall for a longer period of time, whereas it is equally effective in smaller concentrations. Ultrasound sclerotherapy is more safe and accurate.
After the treatment, special elastic compressing stocking is necessary for a few weeks as the pressure caused by the stocking contributes to the successful outcome of the treatment.
How many sessions are usually held?
The doctor will assess from the very beginning the severity of the case and the number of sessions that will be required. The amount of hardener allowed to be administered also plays an important role. When there are numerous veins we want to remove, more sessions will be needed.
What diseases can be cured with sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a treatment that can improve legs image by removing varicose veins and spider veins. In addition to the cosmetic aspect, it can treat symptoms such as cramps, calf pains, swelling, etc.
Can sclerotherapy be applied to all patients?
Almost all patients can undergo this vein treatment. There are very few cases in which it cannot be applied: in pregnant and breastfeeding women, in patients with diabetes, etc.
What complications can be created by sclerotherapy?
The risk of complications is extremely low. Discoloration along the vein, bruising or blisters may occur but these complications will gradually subside.
How effective is this treatment for veins?
In patients with small varicose veins and limited spider veins, results are visible in a few weeks while when the problem is bigger it can take a few months. Treated veins do not relapse, but new varicose veins may appear, especially in predisposed patients. The doctor regularly monitors the patient and the course of the operation so that, if necessary, he can ask for additional treatment.