VARICOSE VEINS: CAUSES AND TREATMENTS
In recent years, with the advancements in medical technology, it has become more accepted for women to turn to surgeries and cosmetic procedures for body contouring through procedures such as liposuction and many other cellulite treatments. However, there’s yet another complaint among women that have already been a thing of the past, all due to the latest cosmetic treatments: varicose veins.
What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are raised, swollen, twisted blood vessels that typically develop on the legs and are visible through the skin. It often comes along with another condition called spider veins which are smaller, purplish vessels that are smaller than varicose veins and can also appear on the legs and face.
Causes of varicose veins Pregnancy, age and obesity can heighten your risk of varicose veins. But, there is a number of other factors that can predispose you to such a condition. These include: • Heredity • Occupations that require a lot of standing (hair stylists, cashier, nurses, factory workers, etc.) • Use of birth control pills • Postmenopausal • History of blood clots • Conditions that can increase pressure in the abdomen (tumours, constipation and tight garments such as stockings and girdles) It also pays to note that women are at 30% more at risk of developing varicose vein than men and the frequency only increases as they age.
Varicose Vein Treatments in Singapore Now, while having varicose veins is not a serious, life-threatening condition, they are often symptoms for severe health problems like chronic venous insufficiency. But, in most cases, it is their unsightly appearance that drives women to seek medical help to remove them. It speaks particularly true after their failed attempts of addressing them through massages, wearing compression stockings and many other techniques. The good news is that Cheng SC Veins and Endovascular Clinic offers a wide range of varicose vein treatments in Singapore, each particularly designed to put an end to your varicose vein woes.
ClariVein® – The latest in varicose vein treatment, ClariVein is a technology that works by using a wire-tipped catheter to forcibly close the veins. It requires no anaesthesia and what’s even better is that you can walk out of the clinic right after the treatment. The results are immediate with no visible scars on the treated areas. EVLT – Endovenous laser ablation therapy or EVLT is another permanent treatment that uses a highly targeted laser to seal the veins. It requires local anaesthesia but other than that, you are guaranteed to get sealed veins and varicose vein-free legs in a few weeks. Sclerotherapy – A sclerotherapy is a technique primarily used for surface or superficial veins. In this procedure, the veins are injected with a chemical solution that irritate the veins, causing them to swell and eventually close. The treated veins should fade but some patients have experienced a high recurrence rate. There are many other treatments to eliminate your varicose veins. But, to determine which one will be the most effective for you, consult with our vascular and endovascular trained surgeon today.