Are varicose veins getting you down? Is the constant pain affecting your life, or are you upset at having to hide the skin discolouration? Whatever your reason, we are here to give you the best advice on available treatments.

What are varicose veins?

Most commonly affecting the legs, varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged, swollen and often misshapen. They develop due to the failure of small valves in the vein which would normally prevent blood from flowing backwards, causing a build-up of blood that leads to the varicose veins condition. This is a common ailment, and one which now has many treatments.

Removal and Treatment

The options for varicose vein removal are varied and may depend on the severity of your condition and the location of the affected veins. For less severe cases it may simply be recommended that you exercise, keep your legs elevated when possible, or wear a compression stocking.

For the more serious sufferers, there are different surgical options available. The most common involves a process called ligation and stripping. This involves the surgeon making small cuts in the leg under a general anaesthetic, and then tying the vein to stop the flow of blood (ligation) before removing it (stripping). The surgery is safe, and the patient will be able to walk out of the clinic on the same day. However, there is no guarantee that more varicose veins will not form.

Other surgical options include Endovenous Laser Treatment, a procedure which uses lasers that heat the vein from the inside and force it to close, and Radiofrequency Ablation, a similar process which uses electrical currents. A further option, but one with not-yet-determined long term results, is Sclerotherapy. This involves the use of a foam or liquid chemical which is injected into your veins to close them.

Cost

As always, price will be an issue when considering which path to take. Consultations with many private clinics are free, but the cost of treatment can vary from £1500 to £2500 per leg. Varicose vein treatments may be available on the NHS, but often the removal of varicose veins will be treated as a cosmetic procedure. For most people varicose veins do not present a serious health risk, so think hard before parting with that cash.