How are varicose veins treated?
The goals of treatment for varicose veins are to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. For some, the goal may be related to how the veins look. Home treatment is usually the first approach.
Home treatment
Home treatment may be all you need to ease your symptoms and keep the varicose veins from getting worse. You can:
- Wear compression stockings.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Prop up (elevate) your legs.
- Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.
- Get regular exercise.
Procedures
If home treatment doesn't help, there are procedures that can treat varicose veins. These include:
- Endovenous ablation.
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Endovenous ablation is a procedure to close off varicose veins. Endovenous means that the procedure is done inside the vein. Ablation means a doctor uses something to damage and close off the vein. This may be heat, chemicals, or a small wire.
- Ligation and stripping.
This treatment is a type of surgery. Cuts (incisions) are made over the varicose vein, and the vein is tied off (ligated) and removed (stripped).
- Phlebectomy.
Several tiny cuts are made in the skin through which the varicose vein is removed. This is also called microphlebectomy, ambulatory phlebectomy, or stab avulsion.
- Sclerotherapy.
A chemical is injected into a varicose vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein, causing the vein to close.
- Simple laser treatment.
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Laser energy is used to scar and destroy varicose veins. Simple laser therapy is done on small veins close to the skin, such as spider veins. The laser is used outside of your skin.
The size of your varicose veins affects your treatment options.
- Larger varicose veins are generally treated with endovenous ablation or ligation and stripping surgery.
- Smaller varicose veins and spider veins are usually treated with sclerotherapy or simple laser therapy on your skin.