Understanding Varicose Veins
We all have seen varicose veins, may not have suffered but seen. In our families, friends, on our own skin – discoloured veins in patches or twisted enlarged veins on legs – we have seen but mostly ignored.
Discomfort & pain in legs is mostly not attributed to varicose veins in our homes. It is mostly considered a cosmetic concern. Most people search for cosmetic options to hide the discoloration. While visiting a doctor that too a specialist is not first thing which comes to mind, it should.
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, discoloured veins that mostly appear on the legs. They can cause regular discomfort & pain, and sometimes real complications apart from being non-aesthetic.
What do varicose veins tell us: Dr. Bhavesh Arun Popat a senior interventional radiologist & varicose veins specialist in Mumbai says that Varicose veins basically highlight issues with the blood circulation in the legs. The veins have valves which open close and functionally help circulate blood against gravity, back to lungs and heart. The valves when weaken or fail, lead to pooling of blood in the leg veins leading to swelling, discoloured & torturous veins, the varicose veins.
Several factors may contribute to the condition including genetics, hormones, lifestyle but no specific reason can be given for occurrence of varicose veins.
Now pain & discomfort for varicose veins may initially be manageable, as the condition worsens over period of time, the circulation issue becomes worse and leads to issues like blood clotting, non-healing wounds or ulcers. This is serious. May lead to amputations or even loss of life in bad situations.
Good information is that if not ignored, there are treatment options available to contain the condition and basis the stage at which varicose veins treatment is sought, some treatment is very basic in nature too.
Choosing the Right Specialist
Varicose veins primarily being considered non-fatal, did not get much representation from medical fraternity in India as well. While the awareness is increasing, patients still find it difficult to understand the branch of medicine which specifically looks into such blood circulation issues.
Within Indian Medical system, it is the “Interventional Radiologists” who are trained and specialise in such medical conditions. While still low on awareness, you can find interventional radiologists in all major cities in India. A simple search on google like varicose vein treatment in Mumbai [your city] will give you various options, choose a qualified & experienced interventional radiologist among them.
It is recommended to see a specialist because the technology in medicine is changing very fast and a specialist has complete in-depth knowledge which helps them customise treatment plan for each patient.
The Spectrum of Varicose Veins Treatment
Spectrum for treatment options for the varicose veins is wide. However, it depends on at what stage a patient consults a specialist.
For people at the initial stages, specialists recommend:
-Medications
-Small changes in the Lifestyle – little exercise, resting legs in proper manner like elevating them when resting, etc.
-Compression therapy – Best non-interventional treatment for varicose veins is using medical compression stockings. Compression stockings are bit different from normal fashion stockings in the sense that these are designed to ensure appropriate pressure is applied to support vascular structure in leg. If you have been identified with varicose veins, consider stockings to be part of your life as these are also recommended post any interventional procedure undertaken for the condition.
For patients who have reached stage where in the condition is more severe, the interventional radiologist may suggest any of the following procedures.
-Endo-Venous Laser Treatment (EVLT): Considered gold standard among the options, this minimally invasive treatment is known for excellent results globally. Under this procedure, a laser fibre is used to heat & close the affected vein to enable unrestricted blood flow via other veins.
-VenaSeal TM: A modern technology marvel, VenaSeal system uses a specially developed glue to seal close the affected veins. This is a new treatment technique and while the initial results are very good, doctors do take precautions before adopting this procedure.
-Radiofrequency Ablation: Another minimally invasive option, under this treatment RF is used to transmit energy in the vein with the objective to collapse the compromised veins.
-Sclerotherapy is a procedure under which the surface veins are injected with special chemical which makes them shrink and ultimately disappear.
Which treatment option is good for a patient depends on various conditions and the patient should have open discussion with treating doctor. Patients should understand from doctors, the post procedure care required.
Conclusion
Successfully managing varicose veins involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments and medical interventions. Consult an Interventional Radiologist to determine the most suitable treatment plan for you. With the right approach, you can find relief from discomfort and achieve healthier, more comfortable legs and at the same time avoiding any serious issue later.
