Spider
Vein Treatment
Varicose Veins
Do varicose and spider
veins limit your wardrobe or self confidence? No shorts, no skirts
above the ankle? Many "Great pair of legs" are victimized
by unsightly veins, either large torturous varicose veins or small
blue and red spider veins. Varicose veins are those large worm-like
veins of the legs and  thighs.
These varicose veins are caused by an abnormality in the veins
and the valves with in these veins. Once injured or destroyed
these nonfunctioning valves allow for bi-directional flow of blood.
In their normal state, these valves allow only one directional
flow of blood, and that's towards the heart. Once injured the
result is varicose veins, followed by injury to the skin and fat
circulation, and ultimately by ulceration and slow healing.
Varicose veins require
careful work-up and course of treatment. Treatment consists of
evaluating the valves, then the removal of the injured nonfunctioning
vein or veins. Present technique involves local anesthetic, and
the removal and ligation of these veins through a small stab wound
that is hardly noticeable once healed.
Spider veins are small
blood vessels that appear on the legs, or on the face where they
are called telangiectasia. They are not associated with any disease
or abnormality and have no health significance. They just look
unattractive, nothing beats a great pair of legs.
Spider veins are treated
in two ways sclerotherapy and laser treatment remains the standard
treatment. It involves the injection of a "sclerosing"
agent into the spider vein. This causes irritation inside the
vein causing it to collapse and permanently disappear. Many of
the sclerosing agents are available. Concentrated salt solution
remains the most widely used and causes the least complications,
including skin loss, scarring, and brown pigmentation. Left behind
is the collapsed vein which disappears in time, maybe three months.
Sclerotherapy requires 3-4 sessions before any result is seen.
Laser treatment to
varicose veins is complimentary to sclerotherapy and does not
replace it. The vessels of the spider vein that causes the vein
to collapse absorb the light energy of the laser and the body
removes it. Leaving mark or a minimal mark behind. The limitation
of laser treatment of varicose veins is that laser works best
on hair like vessels, more than the relatively larger bluish spider
veins. Again multiple treatment sessions are required to resolve
these veins completely.
Following both procedures
the patient wears support stockings to assure the collapse of
those veins. Normal activity is resumed immediately, and vigorous
activity after 24 hours.
Dr. Shureih has a vast
experience in the treatment of varicose and spider veins. For
a confidential appointment with Dr. Shureih call 410-243-3035. |
