Sclerotherapy is a process that helps to treat venous diseases such as varicose veins, spider veins.
Venous diseases are quite common. In fact, about 20% people are said to suffer from some kind of venous disease at some point in time. That’s 2 out of 10 people.
Venous diseases usually involve issues with the flow of blood due to improper working of the valves that also cause the veins to swell and ache.
There can be various reasons for such a condition including obesity, hormonal problems, venous insufficiency and more.
Varicose veins can be treated in various ways. If the condition is not severe then doctors will suggest you to have medication and therapy that can cure the condition. However, in case the condition has already worsened or if it is very painful, you will be suggested to undergo sclerotherapy.
The procedure is quite affective and also painful. Without much ado, let’s get to know more about sclerotherapy that is performed at various clinics around the world, such as usaveinclinics.com.
What Is Sclerotherapy?
One of the most common reasons to get a venous disease is when one or more valves in the vein get deceased. Their job is to prevent the blood from flowing back in reverse but when they fail to work, the blood doesn’t reach the heart but pools up in the vein and causes it to get enlarged and trigger pain and swelling in the legs.
Here’s where sclerotherapy comes into play. It’s a method which is used to treat damaged veins.
In this process, first the leg is placed in an elevated position so that the blood can be drained easily.
Next, a sclerosing agent (saline solution) is then injected into the affected vein with the help of a catheter or a syringe.
The chemical injected may trigger a burning and cramping feeling in the leg for a few minutes but it is not very painful.
This chemical goes into the vein and works on its walls. It damages the inner lining and causes them to stick together, thus not allowing any passage for the blood. This vein disappears within 6 to 12 weeks time.
Sclerosing agents can come in many forms and with different intensities. The doctor will decide the right type of sclerosing agent after keeping in mind the nature of the vein that needs to be worked on.
Is Sclerotherapy A Safe Procedure?
Sclerotherapy is not the only procedure used to treat damaged veins. There are other options such as stripping and endovenous laser therapy, however sclerotherapy is said to be the safest.
The other two are surgical procedures that require extreme level of caution by the doctor operating on the patient. As for sclerotherapy, no wear and tear is involved. The patient only has to deal with minor pain when the needle is injected. Sometimes, itching and burning may also follow and will continue for 2-3 days.
The recovery time after undergoing sclerotherapy isn’t fixed because it depends on the size and number of veins that need to be sclerosed. Usually, one vein is dealt with at a time and the process may go on for a few days if you have several damaged veins.
The patient is free to walk instantly after being sclerosed, however, strenuous activities should be avoided to prevent harm.
What’s The Success Rate Of This Procedure?
Around 80% of the patients who undergo sclerotherapy experience success. All in all, sclerotherapy is a safe procedure that has a high success rate.
It is extremely popular mainly due to it being painless and affordable. It can be used to treat several vein problems including varicose veins, venous insufficiency and spider veins.
The Verdict
Sclerotherapy is a good choice if you want to see quick results and treat venous issues.