What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are a manifestation of chronic venous disease (CVD), which is a chronic progressive disease of the veins, manifesting in their enlargement, lengthening and twisting. They can appear in different parts of the body, but most often affect the superficial veins of the lower extremities. Varicose veins are one of the most common diseases in the industrialized countries of Europe and North America. However, the disease incorrectly remains out of the attention of both the patients themselves and the medical specialists as a solution to the problem is sought only in the advanced stages of the disease. The disease affects arround 30% of people with the frequency in women being higher compared to that in men.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Varicose veins
Appearance of bulging areas of veins or dilated blood vessels on the surface of the skin, a spider web of blue, purple or red varicose veins.
Skin changes
Pigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis, dermatitis, presence of an active or healed venous ulcer on the inside of the ankle.
Extremity discomfort, pain, heaviness, burning, itching, swelling, muscle cramps and spasms.
The real condition of your veins is not always visible.
Varicose veins are very often caused by involvement of the valves of the great saphenous vein along the course of the thigh and lower leg, as well as the valves of the small saphenous vein (along the back of the lower leg). Therefore, a preliminary comprehensive Doppler examination by a qualified vascular specialist (angiologist, phlebologist or vascular surgeon) is necessary to assess the need for treatment.
What are the reasons for the development of varicose veins?
The main factor in the development of varicose veins are inflammatory processes that lead to damage of the valves located along the course of the veins. The main function of venous valves is to prevent blood from returning in the opposite direction. Damage to these valves leads to increased venous pressure, venous stasis and dilation of the venous wall.
What are the risk factors for developing varicose veins?
- Age – the disease progresses with age
- Heredity
- Obesity
- Gender – the incidence is higher in women
- Pregnancy
- Prolonged standing in an upright position or sitting
- Sedentary lifestyle and lack of sports
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Wearing inappropriate clothing and shoes
What are the types of varicose veins?
These are dilated intradermal venules, red in color, up to 1 mm in size, also called spider veins. Their color varies from red to violet-blue. They are most often found on the legs, in the area between the ankle and the knee. A lot of women have spider veins acquired during pregnancy.
A type of veins measuring between 2 and 4 mm. They are usually highly wrinkled like a net on the surface of the skin. Lack of exercise and overweight might be a factor in their formation. Usually, reticular veins are not painful, but they do not look good aesthetically.
These are larger and curved varicose veins measuring more than 4 mm in diameter.
What are the most modern ways for varicose veins treatment?
It is important to know that Dr. Angel Radev and his team in Varix Clinic apply only the most modern minimally invasive methods for the treatment of varicose veins (non-surgical methods) in their practice.
Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA/ELVeS)
Sclerotherapy with tumescent anesthesia and augmented reality (TASAR Cryo by Dr. Angel Radev)
Cryolaser cryosclerotherapy (CLaCS)
Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (USGFS)
Microsclerotherapy
Transluminal occlusion/Percutaneous ablation of perforating veins (TRLOP)
Mechano-chemical ablation (MOCA - ClariVein)
Мicrophlebectomy
Compression therapy
Successful treatment of varicose veins is achieved only with precise ultrasound diagnostics (so-called duplex Doppler) of the venous system and selection of the best combination of treatment methods for each individual patient!