If you suffer from bulging, painful and visible veins, or frequent cramping in your legs, you may have varicose veins. This is a very common condition that causes both aesthetic and medical issues and can negatively impact your quality of life. At AUC Clinics, we offer a simple and minimally invasive treatment called Sclerotherapy. Let’s examine how this works and whether it could be right for you.
What Is Sclerotherapy?
The FDA-approved treatment is designed to eliminate spider veins and varicose veins by using your body’s natural processes of breaking down diseased tissue. A solution, usually saline, is injected into the veins in question and eventually causes them to collapse. As a result, your blood will find new pathways and the now useless varicose vein will be broken down by the body.
Although you may be worried about encouraging your veins to die off, this is not an issue. Your body has plenty of others and the blood will easily find new ways of traveling around your legs. What’s more, the varicose veins no longer function in effective ways and blood often pools there without being able to flow on. By removing them, your blood flow will improve and the negative symptoms will disappear.
How It Works
If you suffer from spider or varicose veins and would like to explore this treatment option, the first step is to make an appointment with your local clinic. Your healthcare specialist will be able to assess your personal situation and discuss the best methods of removing your varicosities. Once you’ve been approved for this treatment, the next step is deciding how many injections you will need.
If your veins are very large, the saline solution may be injected as a foam, which allows it to reach a larger area. In any case, your injections should only take around 15-20 minutes. One of the major advantages of the treatment is that there is very little downtime involved, which means that you can be out and about within hours of your appointment.
After the Treatment
When undergoing treatment, many people are worried about what they need to avoid in the aftermath of their appointment. As mentioned above, there is no need for extensive downtime after this type of therapy, so that you’ll be able to return to work on the same day or the next day. The most important thing is to avoid aerobic exercise, direct sunlight, and hot baths for two to three days after.
Your specialist will also speak to you about any medications you’re taking. Certain drugs, such as NSAIDs, can thin your blood and should therefore be avoided in the first 48 hours. However, walking is strongly recommended to keep your blood flowing without heating up the area too much. Many clinics will also advise you to wear compression stockings, which you may already own as a varicosity treatment.
Long-Lasting Results
Once your varicosities have died off, they won’t come back, so you can consider the results of this treatment permanent. However, this doesn’t mean that other varicose veins can’t appear. It’s important to discuss your lifestyle with your healthcare provider and make any adjustments necessary to ensure that the issue doesn’t recur.
For example, you may be advised to avoid sitting in the same position for a length of time. Instead, you should get up regularly when working, or even purchase a standing desk. If you suffer from obesity, your specialist is likely to suggest a weight loss program to you, as excess fat is a major cause of varicosities.
Who Is This Right for?
Now that you know what this type of therapy is and when it may be applicable, you might be wondering whether you’re a good candidate. Although it is minimally invasive and very safe, there are several things to consider before getting started.
Your General Health
When you go to your initial appointment, your specialist will ask you for details about your general health, such as conditions, recent treatments and medications you take. If you use any blood thinners, you will need to stop taking them for a few days after the treatment.
If you are pregnant, you may have to wait until after your baby has been born, as it is better to perform this therapy after you have given birth. Although saline solution is safe and shouldn’t harm your unborn child, varicose veins are not an urgent medical condition and it is safer to wait around three months after your baby has been born.
Your Symptoms
Patients with very mild varicosities may be able to treat them by changing their diet, losing weight, or wearing compression stockings. However, anyone suffering severe symptoms including pain, cramps, and swelling should consider this therapy as a viable option. If your quality of life is impacted, it is worth undergoing treatment to solve the issue permanently.
Increasing Chances of Success
Whether you have already been approved for varicose vein treatment or are still waiting for your initial appointment, there are a few things you can do to increase the chances of therapy working well for you. Because varicosities are often caused by obesity, try to lose some weight to prevent them from recurring. You may be surprised at how much your life changes, even if you lose just 10% of your weight.
To support your weight loss journey, it’s important to change your diet. Eating plenty of whole foods, substituting your refined carbs for whole grains, and including plenty of fiber can make a huge difference to your success. If you combine these changes with regular exercise, you will be well on your way to your ideal weight. In addition, walking, cycling and swimming can help the blood to circulate better in your legs.
Start Your Journey To Perfect Legs Now
If you have stubborn varicose or spider veins, there’s no need to suffer. With easy, quick, and pain-free treatments such as sclerotherapy available, your legs will be back to their youthful and pain-free former selves in no time. Here at AUC Clinics, we have experienced professionals on staff who can perform this treatment so that your legs can be healthy, beautiful, and most importantly, pain-free.
