Varicose veins are a serious issue many people deal with each year. While it may seem like this is an affliction that you must carry with you for the rest of your life, the truth is there are many ways to get rid of varicose veins. There are a few things you should know. What are Varicose Veins? These are veins that are large, discolored and stick out from the skin as they become damaged. There are many reasons why they could occur including obesity, birth control, heredity and a number of other factors. The thing to keep in mind is that this can lead to skin sores, bleeding and even blood clots which is why it is essential to seek Cincinnati vein treatment promptly. How to Treat Varicose Veins There are a number of methods used to treat this issue. You should know what your options are so you can discuss them with your vein doctor and receive the one that is right for you. Lifestyle Changes If your varicose veins are the result of lifestyle changes, then treatment alone will not be enough to keep them from recurring. This is why it is important to take the steps to keep them from recurring. Some of the ways this can be done is by walking, losing weight if necessary and wearing compression socks to help keep the blood flowing properly through the legs. Sclerotherapy This treatment uses a solution made up of mostly salt and shoots it into the diseased vein. This causes the vein to gradually disappear over about 6 weeks. While it is less expensive than other methods, it is not as effective and takes quite a while. Radio Frequency Occlusion While this may sound scary, it is actually an outpatient procedure at your Cincinnati vein center. The doctor will put a catheter into the vein and use radio frequency energy to heat the vein and seal it shut. This can be done without the worry of scarring, bruising or other side effects and is relatively quick and painless. Laser Therapy There are a few ways that laser therapy can be used for treatment. It is the same idea as what radio frequency offers which is heat to shut the vein. The downside is that it can cause skin discoloration, blisters and more. Surgery There are a few ways that surgery can treat the issue, such as with tying off the vein. Though it is effective, the problem is that this is the most invasive option.
