Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Some Facts On Varicose Vein Treatments Somerville Patients Should Know

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 underlying cause of this problem is failure of venous valves found in the upper and lower limbs. These valves may be affected by both infective and non-infective diseases. When their function is compromised, back flow of blood occurs with subsequent distension of vessels. Clot formation occurs more easily than in the ordinary person and these clots predispose the individual to pulmonary thromboembolism and the damage of other organs.

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.

The best plan of management is one which is started with conservative therapies. In this category, compression stockings are the most commonly used option. Advantages of stockings include non-invasive nature, cheap and great safety. They reduce the bulges of veins seen under the skin and more importantly aid in blood flow from the affected limbs. There are three types of stockings used; pantyhose stockings, prescription strength and over-the-counter stockings.

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive technique that may be considered in some cases. This procedure involves the injection of a special chemical in the affected vessels with the aim of inducing scar formation. As the scar heals it adds onto the strength of the vessels and reduces the irregular outline. It is especially effective for the small and medium sized vessels.

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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