Varicose Vein Treatment is Safe & Effective
Varicose Veins [popup_anything id="1131"]
Varicose Veins are abnormal, enlarged, twisted and bulging veins which are felt and seen in the legs. They may be cosmetically distressing & also cause symptoms. They are usually located inside of the legs or thighs. They occur when vein walls get dilated & improper functioning of the valves present in them. This leads to stagnation of the blood flow and consequent pooling of blood in the veins. They develop over a period of many years and thus are often neglected. When untreated, they may lead to serious problems such as eczemas, chronic ulcers & lipodermatosclerosis.
Many people do not have any symptoms at all from their varicose veins, except for the fact that they are noticeable, and their appearance can be embarrassing.The commonest symptoms from varicose veins are aching, discomfort, swelling and heaviness of the legs, which are usually worse at the end of the day.Over the years, the extra pressure in the veins causes damage to the skin around the ankle, which can become dark in colour, sometimes with scarred white areas as well. Eczema (a skin rash) can develop. If these skin changes progresses, or if the skin is injured, an ulcer may result.
Veins that cause pain, swelling, bleeding, recurrent superficial blood clots, or ulceration are prime candidates for treatment. Veins that cause some other symptoms such as heaviness, aching, and fatigue, or that are cosmetically unappealing, may also benefit from treatment sometimes.
There are two general treatment options:
Conservative measures, such as lifestyle changes & compression stockings; and Corrective measures, such as chemical ablation (sclerotherapy), endovenous laser/radiofrequency ablation. In many cases, a combination of treatment methods works better.
Dr. Dhanraj Chavan
What will happen if you
don’t treat this?
Venous Eczema
Due to the prolonged blood stagnation in patients of varicose veins, skin changes occur, which lead to intense itching, scaling & discoloration. Over time it hampers the daily life of patients significantly. Also the eczematous skin becomes painful & has a burning sensation.
Spontaneous Bleeding
In patients with dilated varicose veins, the chances of spontaneous bleeding increase significantly. As the veins dilate, the skin over them becomes fragile and thin. So even minor trauma or scratching over them leads to sudden excessive bleeding, which is often difficult to control.
Venous Ulcer
The skin quality & thickness is significantly reduced in patients with Varicose Veins. Ulcers develop very easily. Also, the sluggish blood flow and increased pressure prevents the fast healing of the ulcers. These chronic non-healing ulcers are a big problem.
Permanent Hyperpigmentation
As the venous eczema progresses, the skin in patients with varicose eczema starts developing pigmentary changes. These changes occur due to extravasation of the stagnated blood from the varicose veins. Once the pigmentation starts developing, it is difficult to reverse it.
Lipodermosclerosis
In advances stages of varicose vein disease, the skin in lower part of the leg starts hardening and becomes like wood. This is an almost irreversible stage of skin damage. Lipodermatosclerosed skin is very prone to develop chronic ulcers.
Leg Swelling
In Varicose Veins, due to the stasis of blood in the veins, there is extravasation of fluid into the surrounding tissue. In advanced disease, this extravasation leads to severe swelling in the leg. The veins are not able to drain the legs effectively leading to fluid retention.
Endovenous
Worldwide, Endovenous Thermal Ablation of the Varicose Veins, by the means of laser or radiofrequency energy is considered to be the gold standard / best treatment for Varicose Veins. This works by destroying the dysfunctional varicose vein wall. With recent advances in regional anaesthesia, this procedure is performed as a day care surgery under Local Anaesthesia. There is no need for Spinal or General Anaesthesia, thus significantly increasing the safety & comfort profile of the surgery. The patient can walk back home the same day after the surgery is completed.
Sclerotherapy
Newer advances in the understanding of etiopathogenesis of Varicose Veins have brought to fore the importance of destroying the smaller veins that are responsible for the skin problems & major morbidity in Varicose Vein patients. Dr Chavan is a major advocate, proponent and practitioner of the technique of Micorfoam Sclerotherapy, pioneered by Radhakrishnan et al first, which has revolutionised how Sclerosants can be effectively used to relieve patients of Varicose Veins. Using adequate concentrations and volumes of the sclerosant, it is possible to give success rates.
Patient Speaks
About
Dr. Dhanraj Chavan
A strong advocate, proponent & practitioner of the Microfoam Sclerotherapy technique, Dr Chavan hopes to bring effective & affordable Varicose Vein treatment to the huge population of patients who suffer from Varicose Veins. He underwent training in Varicose Vein Management Techniques at premier hospitals in Italy & India both. He has been invited as Faculty in various National & International conferences, where he has presented & shared his work of treating Varicose Veins to the fellow Doctors.
