The Complete Guide to Sclerotherapy Treatment

What Causes Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?

Your heart pumps blood through your arteries and veins, so that it can carry oxygen to all of the organs and tissues in your body. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, and veins bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart so it can pick up a fresh supply. Veins have a more difficult job, because they are working against gravity to move blood from your lower half to the heart. Fortunately, they have a secret weapon to help the process along.

A series of tiny one-way valves are located at strategic points throughout the vessels. They open to let blood pass, and then they close to prevent any backflow. When these valves become diseased or damaged, blood leaks through. It pools in the lower part of your body, putting pressure on other valves and the vessel walls.

This pressure causes damage to your veins, and they often begin to swell. When they take on a thick, twisted, rope-like appearance and protrude against the surface of the skin, they are referred to as varicose veins. When they look like a net or web of blue, purple, or red just below the surface of the skin, they are referred to as spider veins.

One of the most common causes of varicose veins and spider veins is a condition called Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). Though it affects a large percentage of Americans, this condition often goes undiagnosed. Physicians who do not specialize in venous disorders lack the equipment, experience, and expertise to identify the signs of vein disease. Unfortunately, this means that treatment plans simply focus on the symptoms – varicose veins and spider veins – instead of the underlying cause.

When you choose either a vein doctor in New York or a vein dcotor in New Jersey, you can be sure that you will get the specialized care necessary for an accurate diagnosis. You will also receive a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the cause of your varicose veins and spider veins, as well as the unhealthy veins themselves.

What are the Risks and Side Effects of Sclerotherapy Treatment?

There are some side effects associated with sclerotherapy treatment. One of the most common is a sensation of cramping around the injected veins during the procedure. This discomfort is usually described as mild, and it lasts for just a minute or two.

After your treatment, you may experience some itching around the treated areas. Some patients notice raised red welts and/or bruising near the injection site. These side effects usually go away within a few days.

Sclerotherapy treatment has a long history, and it has been proven both safe and effective. Of course, any medical procedure carries some risk. These are a few to keep in mind:

• You may experience an allergic reaction to the medical injection. Such reactions are rarely serious, and they tend to occur while you are still in your doctor’s office. You can be sure that your physician is fully prepared to manage this issue if it occurs.
• Brown spots or lines might appear where the treated vein was located. These generally disappear within three to six months, but for some patients, the spots or lines are permanent.
• In some cases, a network of small new veins develops in the area where the treated vein was located. Usually, there is no need to treat this issue, as the new veins vanish on their own within three to twelve months.

Certain side effects require immediate action. You should contact your vein doctor and seek emergency care if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Inflammation near the groin
• Sudden swelling in your leg
• Ulcers appearing at the site of the injection

These are signs of a more serious reaction to the treatment, and you must address them right away.