If you have unwanted varicose or spider veins, you have a good reason for getting sclerotherapy in the Ottawa area. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that will remove your problem veins and give you smooth legs again. It is estimated that about 25 percent of adults have varicose veins, and among these patients, most of them are women. Varicose veins and spider veins can negatively affect one’s self-esteem but may not pose a serious health problem at first. However, if they are not treated, they can develop ulcers and blood clots that do pose a serious problem.
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the affected vein through an ultra-thin needle. The solution coagulates the blood and damages the vein wall. The vein gradually collapses and is absorbed by the surrounding tissue. After a few weeks, your unwanted veins will disappear completely.
When you visit our specialist at our Ottawa office, your veins will be examined and a treatment prescribed. If sclerotherapy is your best option, it can be done right here in our office. You can go home after the treatment, which typically takes less than an hour to complete depending on how many veins are being treated. After your treatment is finished, you may be asked to walk for a few minutes to encourage the blood to flow through healthy veins. Our specialist may also ask you to wear compression stockings for a few days or weeks, depending on the size of the treated vein, to keep pressure on it.
Varicose veins may start to develop and not show under the skin. If you have any of the following symptoms in your legs, it is recommended that you visit a specialist and get a diagnosis:
• Cramps
• Heaviness
• Darkening of the skin around the ankles
• Rashes and excessive itching
• Sores that do not heal quickly
• Swelling
These symptoms may indicate that the circulation in your legs is not healthy. When the vein walls and tiny valves inside the veins become weak, they do not effectively push the blood back to the heart. The blood starts to collect in the veins and causes them to bulge.
There are several reasons why veins may become weak. The main reasons include the following:
• Pregnancy
• Heredity
• Lack of exercise
• Obesity
• Long periods of sitting or standing
Once you have your varicose veins treated and your legs look smooth again, you may need to adjust your lifestyle so that other problem veins don’t develop in the future. If you stand for many hours at a time, you should make it a point to sit with your feet raised several times throughout the day. If you sit at a desk for your work, you should get up and walk around at least five or 10 minutes every hour to keep your blood circulating.
With the minimally invasive treatment of sclerotherapy, it may be easy to have your varicose and spider veins completely removed. The best way to find out if this treatment is right for you is to visit the experts at Canada Vein Clinics. If you are in the Ottawa or surrounding area, contact us today to book your first appointment!
