Varicose Veins

How do you know if you have Varicose Veins? Do you have :

• Dark purple or blue-coloured veins on your leg?
• Twisted and bulging veins that look like cords?
• Awful pain that you feel after sitting or standing for a long time?
• Burning, throbbing, muscle cramp and swelling in your legs?
• Itching around one or more of your veins?
• Skin Ulcers?

If you are experiencing any of these above, then you could be suffering from varicose veins.

What are Varicose Veins?
They are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin which commonly develop in the legs and ankles.

What causes Varicose Veins?
Normally, the one-way valves in these veins keep the blood flowing efficiently against gravity up towards the heart. Such veins develop when you have weak venous blood which fails to flow back properly to the heart, causing swollen blood pools. Over time, poor blood circulation results in damage to the skin, weakened veins and complications such as thrombosis, bleeding, ulcers, pigmentation and eczema. In severe cases, it can be potentially fatal if the blood clots move towards the heart or lungs.

Some people are more likely to develop this medical condition due to genetics, gender(women are more likely to develop this condition), hormonal changes and the ageing process. It may also result from conditions that increase pressure on the leg veins, such as pregnancy, obesity or having an occupation that requires standing for long periods of time.

How can Varicose Veins Be Treated?
The conventional way to treat this condition is through surgery. Although it is effective in removing the veins, surgery is associated with common risks such as general anaesthetics, surgical wounds (like bleeding, pain, infection etc) and significantly longer recovery time.
Furthermore, surgery usually leaves surgical scars. With advancement in technology, increasingly less invasive and more effective methods such as Endovenous Laser Treatment(EVLT) have been introduced.

Endovenous Laser Treatment(EVLT)
Endovenous Laser is a minimally invasive, clinically proven alternative to surgical vein stripping that effectively and safely treats varicose veins by using a laser fibre to deliver energy inside the vein, directly into the vein wall. The precise laser energy achieves optimal therapeutic effect while limiting collateral damage.

With over 70,000 procedures performed worldwide, and over 60 clinical articles documenting its efficacy out to five years, EVLT is the proven alternative & effective (as surgery) in treating large varicose veins, if not better. The good news is, unlike vein removal surgery, pain is minimal with EVLT, and there are no obvious scars apart from a tiny puncture. It can be done under local anaesthesia.

• Regular exercise will improve circulation and strengthen the veins. Focus on exercises that work your legs, like running or walking.
• Watch your weight. Obesity can put a lot of pressure on the legs and is known to cause spider veins.
• Elevate your legs when resting or sleeping. To achieve this, the ankle should be place above the level of the heart. Try sleeping with 2 pillows under the feet, or lean on a couch and elevate the leg while watching TV.
• Eat a well balanced diet with sufficient fibres and cut down on salt intake.
• Try not to sit or stand for long periods of time. When you have to sit for a long time, get up and take a walk every now and then. If you must stand for a long time, shift your weight from one leg to the other or do tip-toeing exercises to improve circulation in the leg.
• Wear elastic support stockings as much as you can.
• Do not cross your legs for long periods of time when sitting.
• Avoid wearing tight clothings and high heel shoes. They can constrict your waist and legs and impede circulation.

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