Varicose veins have been around since the beginning of time, and doctors and vein specialists have been trying to find relief and treatment for centuries.
Before advanced modern vein treatment options were available, you really only had two options for treating varicose veins– compression therapy or invasive surgery.
Compression therapy is still used today; however, painful surgery to physically remove the swollen vein with a scalpel has been replaced with more modern non-invasive and pain-free treatments.
Treatments have no doubt evolved considerably from the early days, and there are a lot of vein treatments to choose from. In this article, we will discuss what varicose veins are, how they differ from spider veins and some of the most popular vein treatments available to treat vein issues this year.
What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged twisted veins. They can show up anywhere in the body but are most common in the legs. While they are considered to be a medical condition, they are not typically considered to be dangerous. Still, they can be unsightly and uncomfortable, occasionally leading to more serious problems if ignored.
The old way of thinking was that varicose veins were just a “cosmetic” problem or a sign of “growing older.” Most general doctors quickly learned that varicose veins are a medical condition that requires a specialist. That is exactly why many insurance companies now cover some vein treatments and why primary care doctors now refer their patients to board-certified vein doctors at vein treatment clinics like The Vein Centre.
What are Spider Veins?
You could look at spider veins as the little cousin of varicose veins. They share many of the same traits as varicose veins; however, they are milder, smaller superficial blood vessels and do not cause discomfort.
Spider veins are found just under the skin. Usually, they look like a spider web, whereas varicose veins are raised, swollen blood vessels that can twist and bulge.
Because spider veins are considered more of a cosmetic issue than a medical condition, vein treatments are typically not covered by insurance.
Popular Vein Treatments at The Vein Centre
Varicose and spider veins are both abnormal, dilated blood vessels that develop when the valves and walls of the veins are weak, causing blood to pool in the veins and create pressure. This leads to the veins becoming enlarged and visible.
Both vein issues are extremely common, affecting half of people 50 years and older. Often, people have both varicose veins and spider veins. However, if you only have spider veins, that does not mean they will turn into varicose veins.
The vein treatment option that is best for you might depend on if you have varicose veins, spider veins, or both. Certain allergies, health conditions and other risk factors will need to be discussed with a board-certified vein doctor.H
Here at The Vein Centre, our top treatments include:
Most providers look to these treatments for their patients who are dealing with vein conditions as they are tried and true. All of these treatments have been around for decades, but there are also new vein treatments on the horizon many providers are looking towards.
Endovenous Laser Therapy
Also known as ELVT, endovenous laser therapy works by using heat from a laser to reduce varicose veins. The targeted area is numbed, and the provider will make a small incision by the vein and insert a catheter which will guide the laser towards the vein to heat the vein and cause it to eventually “shrink.” Blood that was flowing through the treated vein will then flow into nearby veins.
ELVT’s recovery period is quick compared to the other treatments, which is why many patients seek this procedure for vein solutions. Risk of complications from this treatment are also low, and can be completed in a vein clinic in less than an hour. Think of it as a quick visit to your local vein centre during your lunch break!
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation, RFA, works by using radio waves to heat which destroys the wall inside the varicose vein in turn removing the vein. The procedure itself is performed similarly to ELVT, but uses radio waves instead to get rid of the vein.
RFA has the same procedure and recovery period as the ELVT.
Varithena
Varithena is unique for varicose vein treatment as it is an injectable foam, polidocanol, that treats varicose veins. The procedure is similar to ELVT by numbing the injection site, but fills the vein with Varithena to treat and remove the vein.
The length of this procedure and the recovery time is similar to that of an ELVT treatment, but Varithena may require additional treatments to fully remove the appearance of varicose veins.
Sclerotherapy
One of the more common approaches to varicose vein treatment, Sclerotherapy is done by a provider injecting the vein with a chemical solution, a sclerosant, to stop the flow of blood in the vein causing it to collapse and disappear.
Sclerotherapy takes anywhere from 15 – 60 minutes to be performed based on how many veins are treated, and recovery time is minimal.
VenaSeal
VenaSeal removes varicose veins through the use of medical glue to “seal” off blood flow to the vein(s). A VenaSeal procedure and recovery time is similar to that of the ELVT.
Risk Factors
With any in clinic treatment there are possible complications, side effects, and risks that can occur. Some side effects of varicose vein treatment include:
- Bruising at the injection site
- Potential, but rare, allergic reaction
- Itching at the injection site
- Nerve damage
- Blood clots for patients with history of blood clots
If you notice any of these symptoms following a varicose vein treatment, contact your doctor or medical services immediately.
Basic Lifestyle Prevention
Beyond these in clinic treatments for varicose veins, there are lifestyle changes individuals can make to prevent varicose veins such as:
- Staying active
- Not sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time
- Using compression stockings when needed
For some individuals suffering from varicose veins or spider veins, the best option may be treatments. While a change in lifestyle alone may not completely remove varicose veins, in clinic procedures are guaranteed to provide relief from these common veins.
Vein Relief at The Vein Centre in Nashville, TN
The above top vein treatments are only five of our most requested minimally invasive procedures that we perform here at The Vein Centre. We have several other options to treat various forms of vein disease, including Radiofrequency Ablation and treatment for Venous Ulcers.
If you have varicose veins, spider veins or another vein disease and live near Nashville, let our friendly and experienced staff help you decide which vein treatment is best for your unique needs.
You can request a consultation for varicose vein treatment here on our website or give us a call. We have three locations, one in Franklin, one in Belle Meade, and one in Mt. Juliet.
