There are two types of varicose veins seen commonly seen in practice.
- Swollen enlarged bulging veins under the skin
- Spider veins that look like a fine network of red or blue lines just under the skin.
Varicose Veins Treatments: Types, Causes, and Diagnosis
Varicose veins can be unsightly, and more severe cases can be painful enough to interfere with your daily life. Hence, many are searching for varicose veins treatments to aid their suffering.
This article provides an overview of what varicose veins are. Moreover, why they occur, and how we can help. The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore can aid patients to manage their symptoms.
What Are Varicose Veins and When Should I Worry About Them?
Veins typically sit below the surface of the skin without impacting the texture of your body parts. Although they are generally visible, they should not be overly distracting or easy to feel. Varicose veins occur when these veins become twisted and larger than usual. They become much more visible and stick out beyond the surface of the skin. This is often a cosmetic issue that you do not need to worry about. Also, you don’t need a treat unless you want to. But treatment may be necessary if your varicose veins become painful or impact your circulation. Spider veins can look similar to varicose veins. However, they are smaller and generally on the face instead of the legs.
Types of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are divided into two main categories: saphenous varicose veins and reticular varicose veins. Saphenous varicose veins are generally larger than reticular varicose veins, although they do not lead to the same amount of color change as reticular varicose veins. Reticular varicose veins do not usually enlarge as much, but they tend to be more widespread and cover a larger surface area. Saphenous varicose veins are limited to the saphenous vein, while reticular varicose veins can occur in a wider range of veins. Early-stage varicose vein symptoms may be less noticeable. Spider veins are a similar concept to varicose veins. However, you can only find them on the face instead of the legs. They are usually much smaller than varicose veins.
We provide care and treatment options at our specialized varicose veins clinic at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore. Read our “How to Prevent Varicose Veins: Best Practices to Follow” blog post to learn more about if you already have varicose veins, how to possibly prevent them from getting worse. It can help to avoid the discomfort, pain and complications associated with them.
Causes and Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are often due to weakened or otherwise damaged valves that no longer push blood through your veins and back to your heart as efficiently as they once did. These damaged valves can cause blood to flow backward instead of forward, which can lead to blood pooling in your veins instead of moving constantly as it should. This excess blood can cause your veins to stretch out and twist, which can make them much more noticeable and sometimes painful. This condition is more common in older or pregnant women than it is in other demographic groups.
Varicose veins are simply not a cosmetic issue. Varicose veins and venous reflux disease can lead to significant physical problems with the following symptoms.
- Heaviness
- Fatigue
- Aches and pains
- Cramps in the legs
- Lead to swollen legs
In more severe cases, these can cause skin changes such as dermatitis / eczema and ulcers affecting the legs, besides causing recurrent infections.
Some patients with varicose veins present with acute pain, tenderness and redness overlying the veins that is called as thrombophlebitis (acute inflammation and clotting of the varicose veins).
Spider veins can cause itching and aching pain in the affected part that can be quite significant. Spider veins and varicose veins share many similarities. However, there are also several clear differences between the two. Spider veins tend to be smaller and more superficial than varicose veins. Learn more about the types, symptoms, and spider veins treatment in Singapore at the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic.
Assessing and Diagnosing Varicose Veins
Your doctor can often diagnose varicose veins simply by looking at them. If you are experiencing pain but cannot yet see a significant change in your veins, a venous Doppler ultrasound can provide a better look at your veins and how your blood is moving through them. This test can also detect potential blood clots in your legs, which can feel similar to certain types of varicose veins.
At. Supreme Vascular and Interventional clinic, clinical examination and ultrasound doppler scan are most important tools in assessment and deciding management of varicose veins. This takes about 15-20 minutes to do and is usually done in the clinic itself.
Options for Varicose Veins Treatments
The specific treatment option that might work best for you can depend on the type and severity of your varicose veins, as well as any other circulatory problems or other medical conditions you may have. We provide care and treatment options at our specialized varicose veins clinic at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore. Some of the best varicose veins treatments your doctor may recommend include:
- Conservative medical management (using compression socks or other at-home treatments to manage minor symptoms of varicose veins without the immediate need for a more complex procedure)
- Laser endovenous treatment (ELVT) (using a laser with ultrasound assistance to reduce varicose veins through heat)
- Radio-frequency endogenous ablation (RFA) (using radio waves to shrink varicose veins)
- Clarivein endovenous treatment (combines sclerotherapy with a mechanical means of reducing varicose veins)
- VenaSeal endogenous closure system (using medical adhesive to seal damaged veins)
- Microwave endogenous ablation (using heat to treat varicose veins)
- Open surgery (returning varicose veins to their typical size through a traditional surgical procedure)
- Venous avulsions (completely removing varicose veins through a minor surgical procedure)
- Sclerotherapy (injecting an irritant into the veins to make them shrink by temporarily increasing inflammation)
- Cryolaser and cryosclerotherapy (treatments that use extreme cold to obtain similar results to traditional lasers)
Learn more in detail about how minimally invasive procedures including endovenous laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) provide faster recovery times, reduced pain, and minimal scarring, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable experience for patients seeking relief from varicose veins with our “Varicose Veins Procedures and Treatments”.
What are the Advantages of Minimally Invasive Treatments?
- No major surgery
- No or minimal visible scars
- Quick recovery
- Same day admission and discharge
- Clinic based treatments
Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic Treatments
There are more several types of venous diseases we offer to treat different problems. Swipe to learn more.
Read More About Venous Diseases on Our Blog
To dive deeper into the types of venous diseases, head over to our clinic’s blog.
Read our recommended venous diseases related blog posts to stay informed.
- Sclerotherapy: Treatment for Varicose Veins and Spider Veins
- Deep Vein Thrombosis: Symptoms, Signs, and Treatments
- How to Prevent Varicose Veins: Best Practices to Follow
- Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Diagnosis, Management, and Treatments
- Leg Swelling: Causes, Risks, And Venous Diseases
We are here to help you manage pain that may be associated with varicose veins. Reach out to us so we can provide you with the best varicose veins treatments available.
Varicose Veins Resources
Explore our varicose veins and spider veins resources for patients. Gain insight into the diagnosis and treatment of varicose and spider veins conditions, their underlying causes, symptoms, and complications. Connect with your vascular health.
Venous Diseases Treatments
Keep Varicose Veins and Spider Veins at Bay
If your legs feel sore persistently, achy when standing long periods, or maybe you notice blue or purple veins even bulging in the area, chances are these symptoms of varicose veins and spider veins could lead to other serious venous diseases such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), Leg Swelling due to increased pressure forming larger blood clots over time. Varicose veins are fully treatable with minimally invasive procedures and treatments offering minimal downtime and quick recovery preventing further complications. Long term effects of untreated varicose veins can hinder your daily life and impact your health.
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore is here to diagnose and treat varicose veins smoothening patients’ experience to find relief and comfort. As a vascular and interventional radiology specialist based in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja, looks after a spectrum of venous diseases, peripheral vascular malformations, and peripheral arterial disease. Dr. Manish Taneja also has extensive experience in performing all vascular interventions, non-vascular interventions and interventional oncology procedures.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, is your “go-to” facility for various vascular conditions and pain management as well as the premiere clinic for varicose veins treatments in Singapore. Our state-of-the-art facilities and dedication to patient satisfaction ensure we help you best with a positive outcome. To learn more about how to deal with the issue, contact us to arrange an appointment on our website with our vascular specialist, Dr. Manish Taneja, or call us at +65 6904 8084.