Varicose veins can often be ignored throughout the winter when it is easy to cover up with trousers or thick tights, but as soon as the sun begins to shine, people tend to think about exposing their legs. If you are affected by unsightly varicose veins you might like to find out about the treatments that are now available. If you have treatment now your legs will be healed and ready for the summer.
What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen veins usually in the legs. They can look purple or dark blue and often bulge and twist. People with varicose veins often also have swollen ankles and feet, and can experience aching or throbbing in the legs. The skin over the vein can often be dry and flaky too. Varicose veins often seem worse when you have been standing still for a long time and in warm weather. Walking about or sitting with your legs elevated can relieve the symptoms.
More than one in every three adults is affected by varicose veins. They are more common in women than men and can be hereditary. They develop when the little valves inside the veins weaken and stop working effectively, letting the blood flow backwards. It then collects in the vein and causes the swelling and enlargement that is often seen.
According to the NHS, varicose veins do not normally require treatment because they are not usually a serious condition. However, even if they do not actually need treatment from a medical point of view, varicose veins do affect your appearance and can make the difference between being happy to wear light summer clothes or go to the beach and staying covered up because you feel so conscious of the appearance of your legs. This condition is becoming more and more frequently spotted which is why more investment will be going to fund treatment. In some fields they are having to have a Laboratory Relocation to size up the testing.
What Treatments are Available?
Although treatment is only rarely available on the NHS, private treatment can offer a solution. Treatments for large varicosities can include cyanoacrylate glue, endovenous laser therapy, radiofrequency ablation or foam sclerotherapy as well as the more conventional surgical techniques.
Varicose vein treatment involves very little scarring, bruising or swelling and recovery is quick. If you decide to have the treatment you will soon look and feel much better.