Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins located near the surface of the skin. According to MayoClinic.com, varicose veins are primarily caused by weakened veins within the legs and other extremities. Blood collects in the legs when these valves do not work or improperly function. As a result, veins become large, weak and twisted. Usually varicose veins are harmless, but they can lead to other conditions if left untreated. Currently, several treatments exist to remove varicose veins.
Step 1
Wear compression stockings to control varicose veins. According to MayoClinic.com, these stockings are prescribed by a health care professional and must be worn daily. Compression stockings promote circulation within the legs by gently squeezing the legs. Compression stockings come in a variety of sizes and should fit correctly. Compression stockings are often required after varicose vein procedures to prevent new ones from forming and to improve healing.
Step 2
Talk to your doctor about sclerotherapy. MayoClinic.com explains that sclerotherapy is a minor procedure for spider and varicose veins in the legs. This procedure involves injecting solution into the varicose veins to scar and close the vein. Typically, this procedure can be performed in a doctor's office and does not require anesthesia. The solution is usually absorbed by the body within two to four weeks.
Step 3
Schedule an appointment to discuss laser treatments. Endovenous laser treatments help to remove superficial varicose veins. The Vein Institute of Toronto reports this procedure helps to direct blood through normal deeper veins. Endovenous laser treatment is minimally invasive and does not require a hospital stay. During this procedure, a doctor inserts a catheter into the vein while viewing it through ultrasound imaging. Pulses of light seal and heat the vein from the inside. This procedure leaves no post-operative scarring. Over the course of time, the closed vein is absorbed by the body.
Step 4
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss surgery options. According to WomensHealth.gov, invasive procedures are performed in severe cases of varicose veins or as a last treatment option. Vein stripping involves removing varicose veins through inconspicuous incisions in the legs. Ambulatory phlebotomy removes varicose veins through punctures in the skin. These types of varicose vein removal surgeries can leave scarring and require longer recovery times.
