The weather is now warming up, putting the summer and sunshine holidays back on your horizon. But does the thought of throwing away your tights and long trousers and opting for shorts and swimsuits fill you with horror? If you have unsightly varicose veins, then showing off your legs for the first time in months may be too embarrassing to contemplate.
Don’t worry you’re not alone. Varicose veins are common. Prevalence data vary, but it is thought varicose veins are found in around 10–20% of men, and 25–33% of women¹.
There are several treatment options for people with varicose veins. At Ramsay we can remove your varicose veins for cosmetic purposes, so that you can confidently step out with confidence. Varicose veins can be removed effectively using the latest minimally invasive techniques on a walk-in walk-out basis.
Why do I have varicose veins?
Varicose veins are most often found in your legs and ankles. They are caused by valves in your veins becoming weak as they work hard to push your blood against gravity up to your heart. If these small valves stop working properly your blood collects inside the vein and builds up pressure, causing the vein to become enlarged and sometimes painful.
Varicose veins are thought to be hereditary. Other risk factors include: being overweight causes additional stress on veins, pregnancy due to the extra weight on your legs, standing for long periods of time and veins that have already been compromised are more likely to develop into varicose veins.
Will varicose veins disappear on their own?
Unfortunately, varicose veins simply cannot repair themselves on their own. They will need medical treatment. If varicose veins are left untreated, they could become larger or even become symptomatic, causing throbbing, burning or a tired, heavy feeling in your limbs.
If your varicose veins are not causing you any discomfort or pain, there are a number of things you can do to keep them from becoming worse. These include: managing your weight, exercising regularly to improve circulation, elevating your legs whilst resting, and wearing compression stockings that apply beneficial pressure to your veins.
What can I do to treat varicose veins?
If you would like your varicose veins removed they can be treated by:
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) – uses laser to heat up and seal your affected veins. Your body then automatically re-routes blood flow to your healthy veins and the damaged vein is eventually absorbed into your body.
Sclerotherapy – injects liquid into your veins under ultrasound guidance to seal them closed. The vein then fades over time. Foam sclerotherapy uses foam to treat larger varicose veins.
Clarivein therapy - complete closure of varicose veins using a rapidly rotating catheter tip inside the vein and a prescription medicine.
Sapheon Venaseal - a medical adhesive used to treat varicose veins.
Varicose vein surgery – the most common surgical treatment involves tying off and removing the affected vein, a procedure known as litigation and stripping.