Varicose veins and spider veins will affect close to 40 million Americans, mostly women. Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure which is used to treat these varicose veins and spider veins through the use of sodium chloride injected directly into the vein. This particular procedure has been used since the 1930s to treat varicose veins. If left untreated these normally cosmetic problems can increase the risk for blood clots, skin ulcers, pain and discomfort.

Sclerotherapy is performed in the physician’s office using a 23% solution of sodium chloride mix with lidocaine. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic used to help numb the area. Heparin is also added to the solution. This is injected directly into the blood vessel using a very fine needle. The solution is designed to irritate the lining and cause it to swell and stick together. The blood will clot within the vessel and eventually the vessel turns to scar tissue and is reabsorbed by the body. (1)

The physician will determine the number of varicose veins that are injected within one session. This will depend upon the size and location of the veins as well as the patient’s overall medical condition and willingness to be compliant following the procedure. If a larger vein is being injected, the sclerotherapy can cause cramping sensation for about one to two minutes. The procedure itself usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Continue reading →

Varicose veins develop when the one-way valve system within the vein, which helps to move blood from the lower extremities to the heart, is damaged. Blood will begin to pool inside the veins and cause unsightly blue and red tinged bulges, as well as discomfort, pain and swelling. They occur most commonly on the legs but individuals can suffer from these swollen veins in the face, testicles, vagina and anus. Although they are not usually a threat to your long-term health, they can be painful and can cause ulcerations, or openings in the skin.

One treatment option is an endovenous ablation. The goal of the procedure is to shut down the vein using targeted heat energy. The heat can be created with a laser, also known as an endovenous laser ablation, or with radio frequencies, known as a radiofrequency ablation. Both of these use the latest technologies and are a better option than vein stripping which was used for decades. (1)

The vein stripping procedure was often painful and invasive. Both ablation procedures, using either laser or radio frequency, are minimally invasive and highly effective. The procedures can be performed in the office setting with just local anesthetic. For a variety of different medical reasons only one large vein should be treated at a time using laser ablation. If you have more than one vein that must be addressed, it is best done two to three weeks apart at different sessions. Continue reading →