Treatment Options for Severe Varicose Veins:
1. Conservative Management
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Compression stockings: These help improve blood flow and reduce symptoms like swelling and pain.
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Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, weight management, elevating legs when resting, and avoiding prolonged standing or sitting can help.
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Avoid tight clothing: Clothes that restrict blood flow around your waist, legs, or groin should be avoided.
2. Medical Procedures
When conservative measures aren’t enough, several medical treatments are available:
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Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected into the vein to scar and close it, rerouting blood to healthier veins.
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Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA): Minimally invasive procedures using heat to close off varicose veins.
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Vein stripping and ligation: A surgical procedure where the affected veins are tied off and removed through small incisions.
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Ambulatory phlebectomy: Removal of smaller varicose veins through tiny punctures.
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Foam sclerotherapy: A foam solution is injected for larger veins.
3. In Severe or Complicated Cases
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If varicose veins lead to ulcers, bleeding, or significant skin changes, more aggressive treatments and wound care might be necessary.
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Sometimes, vascular surgery or interventions may be recommended.
When to See a Doctor
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Pain, swelling, or heaviness in the legs.
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Skin ulcers or sores near varicose veins.
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Bleeding or sudden swelling.
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If you have risk factors like blood clots.