In this blog, we’ll take a look at the best varicose veins treatment options. While this condition is rarely dangerous, many people find them to be uncomfortable and unsightly, and if left untreated, complications can ensue (including painful ulcers, blood clots and bleeding if a varicose vein bursts).
Can I treat varicose veins at home?
Before having a medical intervention, you may be advised to try self-treatment methods at home. Especially for minor cases of varicose veins, there are a number of home treatment options that can bring a measure of relief and reduce the appearance of the veins.
Is walking good for varicose veins?
Yes, low-impact exercise can boost your circulation and lower your blood pressure. Other helpful home remedies include:
• Compression stockings – these apply pressure in ways that helps move blood up your legs.
• Dietary changes – reducing your salt intake can help by reducing water retention, as can eating potassium-rich foods such as nuts, fish and legumes. A healthier diet can contribute to weight loss (being overweight is a risk factor for varicose veins).
• Eat more fibre – this will keep you regular and avoid you having to strain when going to the toilet.
• Wear looser clothing, avoiding sitting down for long periods and not crossing your legs will also help reduce your risk of developing or worsening spider veins and varicose veins.
What is the best treatment for varicose veins?
For more serious cases, or if you are experiencing ongoing pain or any of the complications described above, you need to seek medical advice. We can discuss your options with you, but essentially the size of your varicose veins will determine which is the best treatment option for you.
Can you treat varicose veins while pregnant?
For most people, treatment of varicose veins is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding as the medication involved could be risky for your unborn child or be passed to your baby in breast milk. Once you’ve given birth, any varicose veins which formed during pregnancy may well begin to reduce in size as the pressure on your veins decreases again.
What about spider veins?
An excellent option for minor varicose veins is sclerotherapy. We can inject a chemical into the vein to cause scarring of the inside lining of the wall which then collapses. The vein walls stick together and gradually convert to scar tissue, making them much less visible.
What is the recommended treatment for larger varicose veins?
One of the most effective treatment methods is radiofrequency ablation. This involves using heat energy to ablate (or close off) the vein, stage by stage.
Only a very small incision is made in your leg – just enough to allow a thin catheter to be passed into the vein. This lets us apply consistent heat along the length of the vein to affect the collagen in the vein walls. When the vein has closed, your body will naturally redirect your blood to other, healthy veins. Without a blood supply, the closed vein will slowly be absorbed into the body and disappear from sight.
Advantages of radiofrequency treatment for varicose veins
Endovenous Radio Frequency Ablation (EVRF) is a quick, almost painless treatment that offers a high degree of success and a short post-procedure recovery period. This technique only requires a local anaesthetic, and is offered as an out-patient treatment. Bruising is minimal and you should be able to drive again after 12 hours, and exercise again as usual one week after the procedure.
Good to know
As part of your varicose vein treatment, you’ll be given a mild sedative which means that you will need to get someone else to drive you home afterwards. Also, there is a slight chance of side effects including skin discoloration and scarring.
For more information on treatment options for varicose veins, or to arrange a consultation, contact Dr Francois Steyn on 012 993 4161 or 012 993 0911, or at francois@surgeon.co.za