Laser Surgery For Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged and gnarled veins that are found most often on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. They can get worse over time and hence need to be treated. Laser surgery for varicose veins is one of the most effective ways of curing varicose veins. To know more about it, read on...

The term varicose comes from the Latin root 'varix', which means twisted. Varicose veins are twisted veins that mainly affect the veins in the legs and feet. As we know, veins carry blood from all parts of the body to the heart. The veins in our legs have to fight gravity while carrying blood to the heart. These veins have elastic walls which help them in returning blood to the heart, but with time these veins tend to lose their elasticity and gradually stretch out. Due to this, sometimes the blood flows back towards the legs and forms blood pools in the veins. Hence, these veins get swollen and rise above the surface of the skin. They appear like dark purple or blue colored, twisted or bulging cords through the legs.

Varicose Veins Causes

Though the actual cause for varicose veins is still unknown, there are several factors that can lead to the development of varicose veins. Heredity or inborn weak vein valves is one of the greatest factors that can cause varicose veins. Hormonal changes at the time of puberty, pregnancy, menopause, etc, can develop varicose veins in women. Especially during pregnancy, the volume of blood in the body increases which causes these veins to enlarge. The enlarged uterus also adds more pressure on the veins. However, within 3 months after the delivery the veins naturally improve. Intake of estrogen, progesterone and birth control pills may also lead to the development of varicose veins in women. Aging, obesity, leg injury, prolonged standing or walking, etc. are some other reasons that weaken the vein valves and cause varicose veins.

Varicose Veins Symptoms

A heavy feeling, burning or throbbing feeling in the legs are some common symptoms experienced by people suffering from varicose veins. Muscle cramps, itching and swelling in the legs are some other symptoms also observed in these patients. Skin ulcers around ankles can be another symptom of varicose veins that may cause swelling in the legs and ankles and can be painful at night.

Varicose Veins Treatment

Though varicose veins do not cause any damage to our body, most of the people want to get rid of them due to cosmetic reasons. Sclerotherapy is one way of treating varicose veins, in which the doctor inserts a solution in the varicose veins that scar and close down the veins. Though, there are many treatments available for varicose veins, laser surgery for varicose veins is one of the most effective and popular treatment for this condition.

Laser Surgery For Varicose Veins

Laser surgery functions by transmitting extremely strong bursts of light onto the vein, causing the vein to slowly fade and disappear. The lasers are highly accurate and damage only the affected area. The surgery is quite comfortable and painless as there are no needles or incisions and when the laser strikes the skin, the patients only feels a small pinch. The skin is soothed by applying a coolant both before and after the treatment. The surgery depends upon the severity of the veins and can last for 15 to 20 minutes. Usually, two to five rounds of treatment are required to completely remove varicose veins in the legs. There can be some redness or swelling or discoloration of the skin after the surgery, but this abates within a few days. Surgical ligation is another more specific laser surgery for varicose veins in which the veins are tied shut and then entirely removed from the leg. Though, different kinds of lasers are used to cure varicose veins, yellow light lasers, green light lasers and other intense pulsed light systems are most commonly used.

Varicose veins affect women more than men and are quite common especially in older women. Though, laser surgery for varicose veins is quite effective with fewer side effects and complications, one should always take the advice of an expert before undergoing the surgery. The cost of laser surgery for varicose veins varies as per the treatment employed, but it can cost approximately $300-$450 for a session of treatment, for each segment of the leg.