Can Varicose Veins Be Cured? Understanding Treatment Options

Verified by Dr. M V Reddy, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai.

Varicose veins, those bulging, twisted veins often found on legs, can be a source of discomfort and cosmetic concern. While a complete cure might not always be possible, there are several treatment options available to improve symptoms and appearance.

Varicose veins develop when the valves in your veins become weak or damaged, causing blood to pool and back up. This leads to visible bulging and can cause pain, swelling, and fatigue in the legs.

What are the treatment options for varicose veins?

1. Self-care: Simple lifestyle changes can significantly improve varicose vein symptoms. These include:
   1. Elevating your legs: Prop your legs above your heart whenever possible to improve blood circulation.
   1. Exercise: Regular physical activity strengthens leg muscles and improves blood flow.
   1. Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces pressure on your veins.
   1. Compression stockings: Wearing compression stockings helps squeeze veins and improve blood flow.
2. Medical interventions
   1. Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected into the vein, causing it to collapse and fade.
   1. Vein ablation or Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): Lasers use heat to destroy the vein, leading to its closure.
   1. Radiofrequency ablation: Radiofrequency waves are used to heat and close the vein.
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3. Surgical interventions
4. Vein stripping: This is a rare surgical procedure that removes the damaged vein.

Choosing the right treatment

The best treatment for varicose veins depends on the severity of your symptoms, your overall health, and your preferences. Consulting a vascular surgeon or vein specialist is crucial to determine the most appropriate approach for your individual case.

Best treatments for varicose veins

At Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai we offer a variety of minimally invasive varicose vein treatments that our vein specialists perform under local anaesthesia and include the following:

Vein ablation or Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): Vein ablation treatment locates the damaged vein with ultrasound before using laser heat to collapse the vein wall and destroy the cause of the problem.

For over ten years, endovenous laser ablation has been a very effective and proven minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy (foam or fluid): Sclerotherapy is an injectable treatment that involves injecting a foam or fluid sclerosing solution into the affected veins to cause inflammation and expel blood from the area that will eventually close the vein.

VenaSeal treatment: VenaSeal treatment for varicose veins uses a medical glue for the vein. It is the latest minimally invasive painless interventional procedure where medical glue called cyanoacrylate glue is injected to seal varicose veins. The treated veins will undergo hardening (sclerosis) and will be gradually absorbed by the body.

Living with varicose veins

While a complete cure may not be possible, varicose vein treatment can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life. The best way to treat varicose veins is through early diagnosis and treatment and is key to preventing complications and managing the condition effectively. Remember, even if a complete cure is not attainable, significant improvement and relief from discomfort are achievable through appropriate treatment and self-care.

Dr. M V Reddy, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai has done more than 500 laser ablations for varicose veins and published and presented papers at national and international level.

Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.