Modern medicine provides a variety of treatment options for varicose veins. Some of them are well researched, documented, tried and tested methods while others happen to be a combination of hearsay and herbs. According to experts there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the treatment of varicose veins.Several factors likethe diagnosis, exacerbation of the condition and the type of veins affected need to be considered before deciding on a course of action.

So, let’s examine all the available options for varicose veins treatment.

Surgical litigation and stripping

This procedure involves removal of affected veins from legs. Physicians resort to this technique if the affected vein is large, convoluted and heavily damaged. Pregnant women and senior citizens are advised not to opt for surgical treatment as it involves some post-operative complications. The risk factors include infection, bleeding, scarring etc.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

It is often projected as a permanent solution for varicose veins. This method also removes veins from affected limb but with smaller incisions as compared to vein stripping. It has the advantage of being minimally invasive. Also, the downtime and discomfort are reported to be minimal. It is slightly less expensive than vein stripping.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a widely used minimally-invasive substitute for surgery. This is usually applied to small to medium sized veins. A hardening agent (sclerosants) is injected into the veins which closes them.This procedure can be done using liquid sclerosants or foam sclerosant depending on the type of vein to be treated.

Liquid Sclerotherapy has been found to be quite effective in treating tributary (branches of main vein) veins.Ultra Sound Guided Foam technique is the cheapest treatment method available today and is mainly used for treating trunk (main) vein. It has a high success rate in treating varicose veins.

Thermal ablation

This technique uses heat energy. A catheter is inserted into the patient’s vein and they are closed using heat. In endovenous laser ablation, heat generated from short bursts of laser is used to seal off veins. In radiofrequency ablation, veins are closed by collapsing the walls using heat energy produced through radiofrequency energy.Skin burn, and nerve damage are possible side effects.

Mechanochemical ablation

This is a popular technique for curing varicose veinsas it poses no risk of injuries related to heat energy. This is done using a Clarivein™ mechanochemical ablation device. A catheter with a rotating wire at the end is inserted into the vein. The wire rotates rapidly and damages the inner walls of vein while ahardening agent is released into it.  This procedure has the added advantage of being painless.

Cyanoacrylate glue

This is the most upcoming medical procedure in the treatment of deeper varicose veins. This technique is carried out using Venaseal™ closure system. In this non-tumescent procedure, medical glue is administered into the damaged portions of the vein to close them. It is very risk-free,butsome people may develop allergic reaction to the adhesive.

It is important that you should treat varicose veins. Varicose veins affect a large percentage of the population, especially women above a certain age. So, funding and promoting researches for finding an effective cure for varicose veins is very important. People can try to prevent its occurrence by walking more and making healthy lifestyle choices.