What is Venous Insufficiency? How is varicose treatment done?

Varicose veins are twisted and swollen veins; appears dark blue or purple just under the skin.

Varicose veins are common in the leg and can be seen as fine lines, webs, or branches.

It happens due to weak valves in the vessels not working properly. Instead of blood flowing up to the heart, it collects in the veins.

Women are more likely to develop varicose veins.

The older you get, the more likely you are to have varicose veins because aging causes the veins to weaken or become damaged. Heredity is also a risk factor for the development of varicose veins, if some members of the family have varicose veins, you will have more opportunities to have it.

Being overweight and standing or sitting for a long time also increases the chance of developing varicose veins, as it adds pressure to lower body veins, which can damage the valves in the veins or weaken the vascular walls.

Varicose Veins Symptoms and Complaints
People with varicose veins may feel painful, painful and discomfort in the legs. The pain gets worse after sitting or standing for a long time. Ankles are swollen and there are color changes in the area around the varicose veins. At night, there is usually a muscle cramp in the legs.

 

Diagnosis and Tracking

The doctor will perform a physical exam and take a history. Normally, a diagnostic test such as Duplex Doppler Ultrasound is performed to check blood flow and the structure of the veins in the legs, especially in standing maneuvers . Diagnosis and treatment by the same physician will increase the success of the treatment and reduce the possibility of recurrence during follow-up.

Laser and Foam (sclerotherapy) Treatment
When varicose veins worsen, medical treatment is required to relieve pain. First, the doctor recommends wearing compression stockings every day to improve blood circulation and reduce pain or discomfort. For small varicose veins, sclerotherapy can be used to treat small varicose veins; It involves injecting a solution into a vein to reduce the appearance of varicose veins. In some cases, laser or radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive treatment, is performed to damage the walls inside the veins and close the veins in the legs. A minifilebotomy can also be done to remove varicose veins in the legs.
Prevention
There are some ways to improve blood circulation and reduce your risk of developing varicose veins, including exercising regularly and controlling your diet. Avoid high heels and regularly changing sitting or standing positions.

 

Frequently asked questions about varicose veins:

Why does varicose occur?

The valve structure of the venous vessels deteriorates. If it starts to expand, it cannot be repaired. Pain, swelling and cramping in the legs may also accompany.

How many types of varicose are there?

There are 3 types according to their sizes and shapes; capillaries, veins thin varicose veins and varicose veins from thick skin

Is there a predisposition to varicose veins?

Genetics (race), gender (female), standing up, lifting heavy, sedentary

What if I don't have varicose veins treatment?

• If varicose veins are not treated, it progresses gradually and decreases the quality of life. If varicose veins progress, wounds may open on the ankle.

• All varicose veins can be treated on an outpatient basis without any loss of work.

• Varicose sclerotherapy is a method that has been used safely for 30 years.

• After varicose veins treatment, there may be spots temporarily, but it resolves spontaneously, usually in a few months, but rarely can extend up to 2 years.

• Although nutrition is not likely to cause varicose veins, it is thought that excess weight triggers the formation of varicose veins.

Can all types of varicose veins be treated?

All kinds of varicose veins can be treated in a few sessions with correct diagnosis, planning, vein mapping and also foam treatment during the follow-up.

How long will I have to rest at home after the treatment?

Usually it does not require resting at home, you will feel good.

Can varicose veins be treated in the summer?

Varicose veins treatment can be done in all seasons.

• Varicose veins on the female genitalia can also be treated.

I am pregnant, my varicose veins have increased too much. Can I be treated?

You can use compression stockings to reduce your complaints. You can be treated 2-3 months after pregnancy even while breastfeeding.

How long does varicose treatment take?

Although the procedure takes less than an hour after Doppler Mapping, you can go home after an hour of follow-up.

Can varicose formation be prevented?

Compression stockings, medication, walking and doing sports delays the formation of varicose veins. But it doesn't prevent it completely.

Is the treatment very painful?

There may be some pain that will be tolerated depending on the method used in the treatment. Laser temperature can be controlled with appropriate tumescence anesthesia. It is a method that gives excellent results with needles applied in capillaries.

Can vaginal varicose veins be treated?

For vaginal varicose veins, angiography device is used to detect leakage in ovarian vessels and pelvic congestion syndrome is treated with coiling method. Varicose veins around the vaginal and uterus and groin pain and pressure sensation disappear over time.

Is there any treatment for varicose veins other than laser treatment?

Many methods such as bonding, steam sealing, stitch bonding, radiofrequency have been tried and clinically beneficial has been found. However, none of them has been shown to be superior to intravenous laser treatment, and there is no fully automatic system that distributes energy evenly, such as the automatic pulling function in the laser device. Special laser systems should preferably be used that distribute the round-tipped laser beam evenly over the entire vessel wall and automatically draw the laser fiber to the entire vessel surface and deliver energy only to the vessel wall.

How does an interventional radiologist treat varicose veins?

First of all, he listens to the complaints of his patient and makes an external examination. External examination is never enough. Using Doppler Ultrasonography, it detects the areas of insufficiency in the vessel called leakage, and makes vessel mapping and treatment plan. It determines how much energy and method to apply to which area. Apply laser or sclerotherapy according to Doppler mapping. It both diagnoses and treats, and most importantly, it follows up with intermittent Doppler Ultraonography. Performs all diagnostic and treatment processes under sterile and even angiography unit conditions.