Varicose veins are evidence of a circulatory problem that can cause pain and another discomfort. If left untreated, over time they can lead to thrombosis or embolism.
Therefore, they are not only an aesthetic issue but the health of the person suffering from this condition is at stake. Aesthetic medicine makes it possible to treat them with very satisfactory results, which makes it possible to reduce the risk associated with the presence of these dilated veins in the legs.
Why do varicose veins appear?
Varicose veins are swollen and dilated venous vessels that occur in the legs and may be related to bipedalism in humans. The reason for this venous dilation is due to the inability for the return blood to flow normally through the interior of this blood vessel, which causes venous insufficiency. Therefore, behind the appearance of varicose veins is a circulatory condition that must be treated.
Sometimes these veins are not inflamed or bulging, but are small spider webs that do not cause discomfort in women. These telangiectasias, which is how they are known, can appear alone or together with varicose veins and reticular veins, which are more annoying.
Normally, varicose veins appear on the legs and the presence is more prominent in women than in men, especially in those who are over forty and who have had children. Almost 40% of women suffer from this problem. The reason is that the hormonal alterations that women go through in various stages of their life weaken the veins, causing them to swell. This is one of the main reasons, but there are, in addition, other series of elements that cause some people to suffer the discomfort associated with this circulatory disease. Therefore, the most common causes of the appearance of varicose veins are the following:
- Hereditary factors
- Hormonal disturbances (especially pregnancy and menopause)
- Use of certain contraceptives or hormonal treatments
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Standing or sitting too long
In addition to being unsightly, varicose veins are a health problem that must be treated to minimize other problems related to this circulatory deficiency. Among them, the following should be highlighted: swollen legs, itching, pain, tired legs, thrombosis, pulmonary embolisms, ulcers, etc.
Treatments to eliminate varicose veins
Not all varicose veins are treated the same. One of the methods involves resorting to surgery. Through surgical intervention, the doctor will remove that segment of the vein that has circulation problems and will replace it with a graft or another segment of the vessel that is not obstructed. In this way, blood circulation will be restored normally and the chances of a thrombus being generated or suffering a pulmonary embolism will be reduced, for example, in addition to that, logically, all the discomfort associated with varicose veins (tired legs, itching …).
For a few years now, varicose veins can also be treated by other methods, without having to undergo surgery. The technique is called sclerosis and involves the injection of a chemical solution into the affected vein that swells the inner wall of that blood vessel, scarring and closing it. In this way, the varicose vein disappears and the problem is eliminated. The blood that previously circulated through this blood vessel seeks other venous routes to make its return journey, improving circulation and eliminating the discomfort associated with the presence of varicose veins.
Although it may seem otherwise, the injection is painless. Patients often notice a small sting similar to an insect bite. It is usually done in parts, in sessions of 20-30 minutes; in each session, only one leg is performed. The duration of treatment is different for each patient, as it will be determined by the severity of the varicose veins, their size, etc.
In addition to sclerotherapy and surgery, some varicose veins can be treated with an endovenous laser, although it all depends on the assessment made by the doctor, who will be the professional who studies each case in a personalized way and establishes the best medical procedure to follow to end the disease. varicose veins. The laser does not cause any discomfort, since local anesthesia is used during the sessions, and it can be used to treat large or complex varicose veins that previously required surgery. It requires making a small incision inside the varicose vein to introduce the laser fiber inside it that will close the blood vessel and end the problem.
Another laser that is also used is the diode laser with radial technology. It is an instrument that has a fiber system that increases the power to close the vein in less time. Local anesthesia is also used. Unlike other methods, this laser does not cause side effects or bruises, nor does it require several sessions to eliminate the varicose vein, but in a single session, the treatment can be performed with very satisfactory results. Only a tingling sensation may be felt in the treated leg, but not all patients experience this sensation. One of the advantages of using the diode laser with radial technology for the treatment of varicose veins is that the patient can lead his life almost normally after the treatment, without a postoperative or recovery period that prevents him from walking or working.
If you have varicose veins, you must visit a doctor to examine your case and study how to treat them. Although they do not bother you, it is recommended that you go to a specialist since varicose veins denote a circulatory problem that can be complicated and serious. Hence, it is necessary to put yourself in the hands of a professional with extensive experience in the treatment of varicose veins. The elimination of varicose veins supposes a higher quality of life for the patient, so it is important to treat them. And this is without counting that it also supposes an aesthetic improvement since the legs present without the inflammation characteristic of people who suffer from varicose veins.
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