Thousands of adult Americans–more women–have varicose veins in their lower extremities and other body areas. Varicose veins can harm overall health, causing pain, swelling, and problems with personal appearance.
Let’s talk about the treatment options available for varicose veins in the legs and where you can go in Tampa, FL, for effective treatment.
The Causes of Varicose Veins and Their Symptoms
Varicose veins happen mostly in the superficial veins of the lower extremities–often in the calf and behind the knee. These blood vessels are structurally deficient, blue, twisted, and rope-like as their built-in check valves do not open and close properly. The blood they regulate accumulates, causing:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Itching
- A feeling of restlessness in the legs
- Discolored, rough, thickened skin
How do these symptoms occur? For many people, heredity contributes to the condition. For others, it may be pregnancy, obesity, smoking, standing or sitting for too long and more.
When severe varicose veins are ignored, they may lead to blood clots, leg ulcers, and other medical problems. So, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment by your vascular surgeon are important.
Today’s Innovative Treatment Options for Varicose Veins
Fortunately, varicose vein patients have wider and more effective treatment choices than in the past. Here are some of the effective procedures.
Vein stripping
This long-used surgical procedure ties off and removes a vein that has enlarged and malfunctioned because its internal check valves are weak, allowing backflow of blood. The patient gets general anesthesia for this hospital-based treatment and needs rest, compression stockings, and limited activity to allow incisions to heal.
Radiofrequency ablation
Done in-office, RFA employs targeted radio waves to scar the interior of a varicose vein. This scarring closes the vessel, and the body resorbs the tissue. This procedure involves inserting a thin catheter equipped to heat the vein quickly.
Endovenous laser therapy
Also known as EVLT, this ablation procedure uses the energy of laser light to seal off damaged veins in the lower extremities. This is an effective and permanent solution for mild to moderate varicose veins.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy works well to reroute blood to healthier blood vessels using an injected chemical to irritate and close down spider veins and small varicose veins. Gradually, it almost erases the traces of unattractive veins on the face, legs, ankles, feet, etc. Sclerotherapy causes no real downtime and can be done at your vascular surgeon’s clinic.
VenaSeal
VenaSeal injections, an FDA-approved, medical-grade glue close selected varicose veins. The blood moves to other nearby veins.
Vein supplements
Vitamins C, B, and E, along with flavonoid supplements (known to decrease blood clots, reduce inflammation and strengthen vein walls), may be added to the daily diet to decrease the severity of varicose veins. Ask your vein doctor what doses may be helpful for your particular case.
Florida’s Premier Vascular Expert: Dr. Edward Mackay
For more than 20 years, Dr. Edward Mackay and his team have relieved scores of adults of the embarrassment and adverse health effects varicose veins cause. If you’re concerned about your vein health, please contact us for a helpful consultation with this outstanding vascular surgeon. What you learn may surprise you.
Call us at (727) 781-5652, or arrange a visit through our online request form. We have three offices: Palm Harbor, Largo, and St. Petersburg, FL. We are proud to be a fully accredited vascular testing facility.
