Tackle Your Varicose Veins with Sclerotherapy

Varicose veins are a surprisingly common condition among many older people and those who are significantly overweight. Even though they do not always lead to symptoms, their unattractive appearance prompts many people to seek out treatment options. Sclerotherapy is a proven treatment for these veins that can significantly improve your appearance and relieve any symptoms you may be experiencing.

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are dysfunctional blood vessels that are highly visible from the surface of the skin. A vein is a type of blood vessel intended to return blood to your heart for reoxygenation and another trip around your body. Each vein contains a one-way valve that should prevent blood from returning back into it. It is designed to keep blood flowing to your heart only. A vein may develop a dysfunctional valve that allows blood to pool into it, causing its distorted and twisted appearance.

One of the most common areas that varicose veins appear is on the thighs, the inside of the legs, and on the backs and fronts of the calves. If you develop varicose veins while pregnant, they can develop around your lower pelvic area, buttocks, or inner thigh.

What Symptoms Do Varicose Veins Cause?

Varicose veins do not always cause symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, you may feel very tired, achy, or heavy in your legs. Symptoms may worsen after prolonged periods of standing or sitting. Resting and raising your legs may improve your symptoms temporarily.

Other symptoms of varicose veins include cramping or throbbing, itching, and swelling. Fluctuations in your hormone levels may impact your symptoms. This may lead to more symptoms during times like pregnancy or menopause.

What are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are like varicose veins, but tend to be smaller and colored differently. They are often red or purple in color and may present as spiderwebs or tree branches. They are normally visible under the skin, but they do not bulge like varicose veins do. They are typically found on the face or legs.

What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a varicose veins removal procedure that has been in use for many decades. It is still used as an effective treatment, although other techniques have been developed since its introduction. The technique involves the use of an irritating solution that destroys the dysfunctional blood vessel. The patient’s body will then absorb this destroyed vein and reroute its blood into neighboring blood vessels.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you require treatment for varicose veins removal, or would like to further explore your treatment options, please feel free to reach out and make an appointment with O’Donnell Vein and Laser. At our convenient locations in Annapolis and Easton, our caring and knowledgeable team of professionals will be pleased to explain this option in greater detail and answer any questions you may have about sclerotherapy. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!