Varicose veins

Characteristics
 
Varicose veins are dilated veins which can be painful. They often appear due to extended periods of standing upright or during pregnancy, when the blood pressure in the veins increases. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards. When these valves fail, blood begins to collect in the veins rather than continuing its flow towards your heart. The veins enlarge and swell up. Heredity, obesity, age, gender and hormonal changes are important factors. A duplex test (combination of an ultrasound and doppler test) will establish whether your valves still work sufficiently.

Treatments

• Compression tights put pressure on your legs so that the blood can flow more easily to your heart. They also decrease swelling.
• Medication to decrease the feeling of heaviness and pain and to improve blood flow.

• Varicose veins can also be treated with laser therapy. The laser light is absorbed by the red colour of the blood, causing the blood to clot. Results are visible after 6 to 8 weeks. A second treatment might be necessary. In order to avoid pigmentation issues, please be aware that :
  • The area treated can not be exposed to sunlight 4 to 6 weeks before and after the treatment
  • You cannot apply self tanner 1 week before the treatment.
• Sclerotherapy can also be used to block off a larger vein. This causes the vein to close. You may need to wear compression stockings for several days or weeks to maintain the pressure.

• Endovenous laser therapy is a more recent treatment which can be considered as an alternative to the traditional « stripping ». It allows the specialist to take out the entire vein without excision in the groin. This painless procedure is less invasive because it is done under local anaesthesia. It also protects the peripheric tissues. Results are visible after a few weeks. Your doctor will then assess if additional treatments are necessary (for example to treat the smaller varicose veins). This procedure leaves no scars.

• Varicose vein stripping is a surgical procedure that removes varicose veins from the legs or thighs. This procedure is done under general anaesthesia.

Advice

• Move as much as you can. Go for a walk, swim, ride your bike, etc.
• Avoid warm places such as the sauna, warm baths, sun beds, etc.
• Lift up your legs regularly to decrease pressure on the veins.
• Try to live and eat as healthy as possible, avoid obesity.

Tips
 
We work in partnership with a vascular surgeon for the treatment of varicose veins. If you want to make an appointment, contact us here.