Varicose veins cases are increasing these days, including in Sebring, Florida. These are twisted, swollen veins that can be seen just under the skin’s surface. They often look like cords and can be blue, red, or purple. While they are primarily unsightly, varicose veins can also lead to other health problems if left untreated. If you are visiting a Sebring varicose veins specialist, here are some procedures you can expect.
Conservative Home-Care Methods
The first line of defense against varicose veins is usually home care. This involves changing your lifestyle and habits to improve circulation and reduce the risk of further vein damage. Home-care methods for varicose veins treatment include:
- Wearing compression stockings: Compression stockings are tight-fitting socks or stockings that apply gentle pressure to your legs. This pressure helps to improve circulation and prevent the pooling of blood in your veins.
- Exercising regularly: Exercise is vital for overall health, but it can also help to reduce the risk of varicose veins. Regular exercise helps promote circulation and can also help strengthen the valves in your veins.
- Eating a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet is essential for overall health, and it can also help reduce the risk of varicose veins. Eating foods high in fiber and low in salt can help improve circulation and prevent blood pooling in your veins.
Radiofrequency Ablation
If home care does not improve your varicose veins, you may need to consider a more invasive treatment. Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally-invasive procedure that uses heat to close off the affected veins. The heat is delivered through a small probe inserted into the vein through a small incision in your skin. Once the vein is closed off, the blood will reroute to other veins in your body.
VenaSeal Closure System
Another minimally-invasive treatment option is the VenaSeal closure system. This system uses a medical adhesive to close off the affected veins. The adhesive is applied through a small catheter inserted into the vein through a small incision in your skin. Once the vein is closed off, the blood will reroute to other veins in your body.
Sclerotherapy with Varithena
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that involves injecting a solution into the affected veins. The solution irritates the lining of the veins, causing them to swell and stick together. This closes off the vein and redirects the blood to other veins in your body. Varithena is a type of sclerotherapy that uses polidocanol, a medication that helps to improve the appearance of varicose veins.
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is a procedure that uses ultrasound to guide the injection of a solution into the affected veins. The ultrasound helps to ensure that the solution is injected into the right vein. This procedure is often used to treat veins that are difficult to see with the naked eye. Since it’s minimally invasive, it means you will have a shorter recovery time.
If you are looking for varicose vein treatments, there are a variety of procedures to choose from. If conservative home care does not work or is not an option, your next step may be radiofrequency ablation or the VenaSeal closure system. These minimally invasive options require only small incisions and provide fast recovery times with few side effects.
