Photo by DarkoStojanovic, CC0 1.0
If you or someone you love suffers from varicose or spider veins, you know how difficult they can be to live with. Not only are they a cosmetic nuisance, they are often accompanied by aches and pains, especially when sitting or standing for long periods. Varicose veins can even cause serious health complications if left untreated.
This article will explain the basics of varicose veins as a medical condition and what you can do to safely treat them. Many people are interested in laser vein treatment but are unsure if the procedure is safe. We’ll dispel the myths surrounding varicose veins and laser vein treatment.
What causes Varicose and Spider Veins?
Varicose and spider veins affect the superficial veins closest to the skin and results in large, bumpy purple and blue visible protrusions. Spider veins are the lesser form of varicose veins and appear as small clusters of small red or blue veins.
Blood pumps from our hearts through our arteries, out to our extremities. Veins bring the blood back to the heart to be re-oxygenated. Without the aid of simple movements like walking or moving our arms, blood can get caught in our veins, pooling and causing increased pressure within our vein walls. Prolonged exposure to this increased pressure causes the walls and valves of our veins to weaken and stretch.
Once superficial veins are damaged they can raise to the surface in the form of varicose or spider veins. Essentially, poor circulation for extended periods will cause your veins to weaken and bunch up under your skin. Common causes for varicose veins include:
- Professions which require you to sit or stand still for long periods
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Genetics
- Age
As we age, our veins naturally lose elasticity and the ability to repair themselves. Even if you have maintained excellent circulation throughout the years, age may be the deciding factor if you are already predisposed by genetics.
Painful Symptoms and Complications
In addition to being a cosmetic issue, varicose veins are a serious medical condition which causes a list of unpleasant symptoms and a couple dangerous complications.
Sufferers regularly experience pain, burning, numbness, tingling, stiffness and inflammation around their varicose veins. Complications may also arise such as:
- Ulcer development- ulcers are sores that develop under the skin around varicose veins.
- Serious and sometimes spontaneous bleeding- when the skin around varicose veins becomes inflamed or when there is considerable pressure on already weakened veins, they can begin to bleed. Even small abrasions or bruises can cause serious bleeding.
- Blood clots- varicose veins can cause superficial thrombophlebitis, a blood clot. Any swelling in your legs or arms around varicose veins should be examined by a medical professional.
Laser Vein Treatment Options
Lasers are powerfully concentrated beams of light which can be used in laser vein treatment to cut off blood supply to problem veins. By cutting off the supply to a varicose vein, the body will create a new channel and begin naturally removing the vein that is no longer functional.
That means that laser vein treatment uses your own body to heal the damages of varicose veins in one or two short, minimally invasive session.
A doctor will begin by taking an ultrasound of the area to determine the best route to use during treatment. They will then insert a thin probe which usually requires no general anesthesia or hospitalization. This probe holds the laser and will be able to make perform precise surgical procedures without being invasive.
The results are stunning. Laser vein treatment leaves its patients with smooth legs that don’t ache every time they sit down. It’s not just for your legs either- laser vein treatment can be applied safely almost anywhere.
Time to Act
If you’re concerned about the complications or painful symptoms of your varicose veins, seek the advice of a medical professional. Know that there are safe and affordable options to rid yourself of the unsightly and painful varicose veins that limit your day-to-day life.
