"The Know" is an informational resource concerning vein treatment options. It contains valuable information for prospective patients, physicians as well as those in the vein treatment industry. We will be regularly posting educational articles, video logs and other pertinent information. We encourage your feedback and welcome any suggestions that you feel may improve the blog.
December 2011 Blog Archive
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Treating Varicose Veins: Big or Small, There's a Laser for You
You don’t have to live with the pain and discomfort of varicose veins anymore. A doctor can treat them and get rid of them with a laser, whether you have minor surface veins or problems with a deeper varicose vein. A simple laser treatment can deal with surface veins, or you can opt for an endovenous laser treatment for those real problem veins. Whether the problem is big or small, there’s a laser that will work for your varicose veins.
Simple Laser Treatment
A simple laser treatment can deal with smaller varicose veins near the surface of your skin. It may take more than one treatment, and each session is scheduled at least six weeks apart. The heat from the laser seals off the vein, which causes scar tissue to form. This causes the vein to collapse on itself and fade away over time. This treatment is best used for spider veins and minor surface veins. It’s often used as a secondary treatment after a larger vein is dealt with through another method. Simple laser treatment has been used for varicose veins for more than two decades and has been shown to be highly effective.
Endovenous Laser Treatment
This method is used for treating larger and deeper veins in the legs. It requires a topical or injected anesthetic. The vein is first catheterized, and then the laser is inserted into the vein through a tube. The doctor uses an ultrasound to guide the laser, which then seals off the vein. Endovenous laser treatment is mainly used for larger varicose veins in the legs. It’s a safer alternative to using surgical methods to take out the vein. Studies show that endovenous laser treatments are effective in about 94 percent of all cases. Some patients require a second treatment in order to fully get rid of a varicose vein.
Keep in mind that varicose veins could still form in your legs after a laser surgery. Follow your doctor’s advice about any lifestyle changes he recommends, in order to avoid this recurrence.
To find more about laser options for varicose veins, click here to find a vein specialist in your area.
