Sclerotherapy is a method for treating conditions like a spider or varicose veins during which a solution is injected into the vein in order to make it disappear. The solution thickens the blood in the vessel and irritates the vessel walls. This causes the vein to collapse and seal off. The tissue that remains is then absorbed by the body over the following weeks.
Sclerotherapy is a reliable method for removing unwanted abnormal veins. It has been in use for many, many years. It is still in use today because of its success rate, and because it is fairly easy for medical professionals to administer. In addition, those receiving the treatment can return to their regular lifestyles immediately following the procedure. It is done in the comfort of our office without the need for a hospital stay. There is also very little risk for complications.
Visual sclerotherapy refers to the treatment of veins that can be seen through the skin. As technology has advanced, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy has improved the treatment method to where it is even more reliable than it was before the advent of ultrasound. In addition, the use of ultrasound enables the medical professional to treat veins that are located deeper into the tissue below the skin. In effect, the use of ultrasound enables the scope of visual sclerotherapy treatments to be expanded beyond what was feasible before ultrasound was available.
The use of ultrasound allows doctors to more accurately locate the veins to be treated with sclerotherapy Los Angeles. The ultrasound is conducted by passing a hand-held wand over the area to be treated. The increased precision in locating and treating the varicose veins that are to be removed makes the treatment more effective.
Varicose veins form when the vessels become enlarged beyond their normal size. This happens when blood begins to pool inside the veins, creating more pressure against the vessel walls than what is considered normal. These veins often begin to bulge out from the skin and can be blue.
The pooling of the blood that can lead to varicose vein formation can be attributed to faulty valves within the veins. Inside these vessels are check valves that prevent things like the pull of gravity from causing the blood to flow backward in the veins. If the valves are not functioning as they should, blood can begin to back up. The increased pressure that is then caused by the normal pumping action of the heart having to work against the blood that is trying to flow backward causes the veins to become varicose.
If you have varicose veins and want them to go away, you should have a discussion with our team at Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center about ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. You can ask about this form of Los Angeles sclerotherapy and let our doctor determine if it is likely to work for you.
Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center is located in El Segundo; however, we also serve clients in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.