With advances in technology, treatment of varicose veins rarely requires surgery to remove them completely. One of the most effective therapies today for treating varicose veins is endovenous laser treatment (EVLT). This treatment has a number of advantages compared with how varicose veins were treated in the past.
No general anesthesia is required for endovenous laser treatment, but a local anesthesia may be given to numb the place on the leg before a catheter is inserted into the vein. The EVLT procedure will only take less than an hour and improvement will be seen right away. The treated veins will form into scar tissue, and after some time you will see the veins disappear as the body reabsorbs them.
After endovenous laser treatment, patients are usually able to continue with their normal daily activities or return to work 24 hours after the procedure. In rare cases, some patients may have discomfort for a day or two but there should be no long-term effects. The incision made in the vein is tiny and ordinarily leaves no scar.
Endovenous laser treatment is commonly successful with all skin types and can treat varicose veins close to the surface of the skin as well as varicose veins deep within the leg. If you have painful varicose veins in your legs, you may learn more about the minimally invasive endovenous laser treatment when you have a consultation with our expert.
Before EVLT was available, the only option for treating varicose veins was a conventional surgical operation where vein stripping was done with general anesthesia. It is major surgery and has the risk of scarring after the procedure.
After the EVLT procedure is finished, the doctor will apply a dressing over the treated veins. For about a week, the patient may be asked to wear compression stockings. These stockings apply pressure to the surface veins, which forces the blood to flow through deeper veins and allow the blood to flow unobstructed. Patients often say that after putting on the compression stockings they feel an immediate sense of relief from the pain, pressure and swelling.
There are a number of factors that can lead to the development of varicose veins. These are occupational, genetic or environmental. Some cannot be avoided such as the normal aging process and heredity. Others can be avoided by changing your lifestyle and habits. For example, many jobs require the worker to sit for long periods without moving. This puts pressure on the heart and veins. To reduce the pressure, you should walk for 10 minutes every hour. There can be hormonal conditions such as menopause and pregnancy, which can weaken the veins and cause them to twist and bulge. To try to prevent varicose veins from occurring a healthy diet and regular exercise is a big help.
To learn more about the benefits of endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins, contact us at Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center to schedule an appointment!