Living With Healthy Hunger Health Blog
Varicose veins or varicosities are raised and enlarged veins caused by interrupted blood flow. The doctors often suggest non-invasive treatment like lifestyle changes if the problem is not severe. However, surgery is a trusted method to remove varicose veins if the patients suffer persistent and unbearable pain.
Among the modern treatment options for varicose veins, laser therapy is considered highly effective. Laser therapy generates heat to damage the veins and cause to form scar tissues. This tissue squeezes the veins and they die as blood flow is stopped. The treated veins fade away after a year or two.
Laser treatment is of two types – Simple Laser Treatment and Endovenous Laser Treatment.
Simple Laser Treatment: It is performed on the outer layer of skin. It effectively treats both tiny varicose veins and spider veins. Usually, the patients are required to undergo several sessions to complete this treatment. You are likely to be treated for 6-12 weeks depending on the symptoms.
Endovenous Laser Treatment: If the varicose veins are larger, simple laser treatment won’t be effective. In that case, endovenous laser treatment is considered to remove the swollen veins. A laser fiber is pushed through a catheter (small tube) into the affected veins. The doctor usually suggests a duplex ultrasound to watch the varicose veins while treating the patient.
Laser is more effective but less painful if compared to vein stripping and litigation. Such treatment also ensures speedy recovery for the patients. A light sedative or local anesthesia is administered for laser treatment.
Why Laser Treatment Is Performed
Simple laser treatment is performed to treat tiny varicose veins and small spider veins. It is often considered after the large varicose veins are treated by surgery, radiofrequency or endovenous laser treatment.
Endovenous laser treatment is performed as a substitute for surgery to remove larger varicose veins.
What after Treatment?
Laser treatment ensures faster recovery and less pain. You will be able to perform normal activities after undergoing laser therapy.
The doctors will likely to suggest that you should use compression stockings after endovenous laser therapy. The doctor could go for duplex ultrasound to ensure that the treated veins are closed.
Effectiveness of Laser Treatment
Simple laser treatment has proved to be working well for the last two decades. Endovenous laser treatment is capable of closing veins with a success rate of 94{e57abf90b25f0e28dca92805c8cf341aff0dcbac27f9aa5bc97ee118adb86dfa}.
If varicose veins are not successfully treated with endovenous laser therapy, a second treatment is suggested. You have other options as a second-line treatment and these include sclerotherapy, radiofrequency or laser treatment. To get the best result, you should visit a doctor having experience in laser treatment.
Side Effects of Laser Treatment
- Skin burns
- Changes in skin colors
- Burning sensation or pain after treatment
- Blood clotting (small or large)
If you are receiving treatment under an experienced doctor, your risk of getting serious side-effects is less. Talk to your doctor about side effects before undergoing the treatment.
Conclusion
If you want to undergo laser treatment for varicose veins removal, ask some important questions to your doctor. These questions are about doctor’s experience, treatment cost and duration, precautions and side-effects.
