By Shawn Hunter


Of all the vascular diseases that exist, varicose veins is the most prevalent. Although most patients visit the doctor due to the hideous nature of the problem, there are other more serious complications that one should concerned about. Venous thromboembolism, a life threatening event, is certainly one of them. There are a number of modalities used in varicose vein treatments Somerville residents need to be aware of if suffering from the problem.

The cause of this problem is defective venous valves in the lower or upper limbs. Under normal circumstances, these valves play a vital role in ensuring that blood flows in one direction as it moves towards the heart. When they are damaged, however, there is significant back flow and stasis which provide favourable conditions for clot formation and consequently increased risk of pulmonary thromboembolism and organ damage.

The treatments are centred on the restoration of the cosmetic appearance as well as reducing the risk of getting serious morbidity. This is achieved in part by identifying the factors that may predispose to formation of more abnormal vessels or those that exacerbate the existing problems and putting in place appropriate interventions. Examples of these factors include pregnancy, obesity, advancing age and physical inactivity among others.

When choosing the option of treatment, there are several factors that are considered. The affected individual is first assessed fully in terms of age and their general health status. This is important as it will help the doctor determine whether or not they can tolerate the chosen procedures or medications. Other important factors are the extent of disease, the stage of disease, affordability and patient preference.

Conservative therapies should ideally be considered first. The widely used option under this category is the compression stocking. These are important in reducing the size of veins that are visible through the skin. In addition, they assist in blood flow and reduce the risk of clot formation. There are several types available in the market but the pantyhose is the most widely used.

Sclerotherapy is another very useful option. It is a minimally invasive procedure most effective for the medium sized and the small vessels. By injecting some chemicals into these vessels, scar formation is stimulated. Healing of these scars increases the strength of vascular walls and subsequently reduces the irregularity in their course. It is, however, unsuitable for persons that have suffered deep venous thrombosis in the past.

Surgery should be considered only after the conservative options have failed to yield desirable results. Several types of surgery may be performed for this problem. Ligation and stripping is arguably the most commonly performed. Here, section of the affected vessel is tied in two places and surgically removed in its entirety. Other vessels are left to take up its function.

In dealing with the problem of varicose veins it is important to seek help as soon as you notice it. Most interventions work best when started promptly. At the same time, you will get a chance to discuss the various management options that exist and to determine those that apply for your case specifically. Visiting the doctor also gives you an opportunity to undergo screening for any other risk factors that may exacerbate the problem.




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