Varicose veins are a chronic illness and are subject to recurrence, but there are some steps that you can take: Compression stockings are highly recommended and come in a variety of colours and styles. Use them when you legs ache, for long trips or for prolonged walking or standing. Dr. Martin will prescribe the correct strength and size for you. Exercise regularly. Avoid standing for long periods and if you do, flex your muscles or sit/lie down with your legs up.

Answer: While you cannot entirely prevent varicose veins, there are quite a few ways to improve your vein health. Physical activity, such as walking, swimming or cycling, is a wonderful way to pump blood up the leg against gravity to improve circulation. Compression hose also helps improve circulation by preventing blood from pooling in the leg veins.

Surgery was once the only treatment. Major surgery for "vein stripping" is no longer necessary. Today sclerotherapy and laser treatment are available as outpatient treatments. The Vein Treatment Centers bring expertise in the latest advances to offer you the best care possible.

Although, initially the concern is cosmetic in nature but almost invariably these varicose veins enlarge and can cause complications. Symptoms like cramps, aching, and heaviness in the legs are frequent complaints. Later on serious complications, such as ulcers, clotting, and bleeding, could occur some of which are potentially life threatening. Great majority of spiders arise from varicose veins. This does not mean that a patient with many spiders should have the big, bulging veins in the leg.

Varicose veins or 'spider' veins are enlarged veins that look blue and bulging in the legs. The veins become twisted and swollen because of impaired blood flow through the veins through a faulty valve. The condition is rarely dangerous, but many feel conscious of them due to their unsightly appearance. Laser therapy may remove smaller varicosities while more severe cases can be treated with injections or the veins can be 'stripped out' with surgery.

Large, often bulging veins that usually have a zigzag pattern. Varicose veins are the result of reflux and abnormal flow of blood from the deep vein. This abnormal flow is the result of the incompetence of barriers, called valves, between the deep and superficial vein systems.

Varicose veins can be treated by removal (vein stripping) or by injection with a substance that causes the veins to scar closed (sclerotherapy).

New treatments for varicose veins and spider veins have very high success rates compared to traditional surgical treatments. However, over a period of years, more abnormal veins can develop because there is no cure for weak vein valves. So with time, pressure gradually builds up in the veins on the legs.

At one time it was believed that support stockings, elevation, weight loss, and exercise were beneficial to prevent varicose veins. However, now it is felt that there is no way to prophylactically prevent these abnormal veins from occurring and genetics is a more important factor in determining the development of these abnormal veins.

The most important thing a person can do to slow down the development of new varicose veins is to wear graduated compression support stockings as much as possible throughout the day.

These dilated veins are always abnormal and will over a period of time, if untreated lead to further complications like bleeding, eczema around the lower leg with itching and blackish discoloration and also ulcers which do not heal. So Early treatment of the condition is recommended so as to reduce the chances of complications some of which are irreversible.

Varicose veins that are not causing any symptoms do not require urgent treatment. Many patients find that graduated support stockings help to relieve the symptoms of aching and swelling (compression) but stockings do not cure the underlying problem. If there are only a small number of small varicose veins then a course of injections can be of benefit. Patients with more extensive veins now have two options: varicose vein surgery and foam sclerotherapy.

It depends on the degree of the condition. Spider or flat blue veins will require 1-2 treatments with injection therapy but may need more with laser. Usually patients will see the veins disappear during the procedure. In many cases the treated area will then bruise. This bruising will resolve in 5-7 days and mild brownish pigments will settle in the treated area only to disappear with time.

If one starts early in life, varicose veins can be prevented. The major preventive measure is to exercise and wear compression stockings. During pregnancy, one should always lie on the left side with the legs elevated on a pillow. This prevents the fetus from pressing on the leg veins and decreases the chance of developing varicosities.

No, unfortunately. If the vein is greater than 2cm in diameter, then the laser will not be effective. Also, if the vein is very tortuous or “winding”, then it may be impossible to insert the laser fiber far enough into the vein to be helpful. If the vein is located very close to the surface, ELT is not appropriate. In these cases, an alternative treatment will be recommended by the surgeon.

No. About 70 % of people with varicose veins are suitable for EVLT. You will need a consultation with Mr Chaloner or Mr Sweeney to decide if you are suitable.