Spider Vein Treatment Austin

Health & Fitness → Beauty

  • Author Kate Croom
  • Published July 20, 2010
  • Word count 931

Veins can bulge with pools of blood when they fail to circulate the blood properly. Spider veins appear as small, red, purple and blue vessels that twist and turn. They have also been described as short, fine lines, "starburst" clusters, or a web-like maze. Spider veins are easily visible through the skin. They typically afflict the legs, thighs, ankles, feet and face. They take their name from their striking spider web pattern. The medical term for spider veins is telangiectasia.

Hundreds of millions of women and men are troubled by spider veins on their faces and legs. Some sources estimate that more than 75% of females over the age of 18 have spider veins. Women are more prone to have spider veins than men.

While spider veins look like fine lines, varicose veins are larger blood vessels that have become bumpy, swollen and gnarled. They are dark blue and stick out through the skin like raised tunnels. Varicose veins can develop anywhere in the body, but usually appear on the legs and ankles.

Spider veins are smaller than varicose veins and do not come with the pain, size and bulk associated with varicose veins. For many people, varicose veins and spider veins - a common, mild variation of varicose veins - are simply a matter of cosmetics. For other people, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort.

The cause of spider and varicose veins is not completely known, but they do seem to run in families. There are some common factors that seem to predispose these conditions, including:

  • Heredity

  • Standing for a long time (usually work related)

  • Obesity

  • Hormonal (Pregnancy, menopause, puberty)

  • Birth control pills

  • History or blood clots

There are a number of spider vein removal options to consider. Most spider vein treatment is now conducted on an out-patient basis with virtually no pain or side effects. It should be noted that not all patients need treatment unless they want their veins removed for cosmetic reasons.

Spider vein treatment options include:

  • Support Stockings

  • Lifestyle Changes

  • Sclerotherapy

  • Endovenous Laser

  • Radiofrequency Occlusion

  • Surgery

  • Laser and Intense Pulsed Light

According to WebMD there are seven major forms of treatment for varicose veins and spider veins.

  1. Support Stockings. The simplest approach to wear fitted support hose. Surgical supply stores and at some pharmacies sell these items. They come in pantyhose, below-the-knee, above-the-knee styles.

  2. Lifestyle. Mild exercise such as walking, proper skin hygiene, and weight loss can help to reduce or even treat varicose veins and spider veins.

  3. Sclerotherapy. A highly concentrated saline (salt) solution or a specially made detergent is injected directly into the vein, is used to cause the vein to disappear gradually over 3 to 6 weeks. This procedure has been available since the 1930s, is simple, relatively inexpensive, and can be performed in an outpatient setting.

  4. Endovenous Laser Treatment is a procedure that works with pulses of laser light delivered inside the vein using a small laser fiber. The light causes the vein to collapse. The procedure is done as an outpatient under local anesthesia.

  5. Radiofrequency Occlusion. In this process a catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and seal shut. This small catheter is inserted into the vein. The procedure is generally done in an outpatient or in-office setting and may be performed under local anesthesia.

  6. Surgery. Ligation (tying off of a vein) and stripping (removal of a long segment of vein) is a surgical techniques to treat varicose veins. Another procedure, ambulatory phlebectomy, removes large surface veins through very small incisions that do not require stitches. These surgical procedures can be performed using local, spinal, or general anesthesia. Most patients can go home the same day as the procedure. Surgery is generally used to treat large varicose veins.

  7. Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light. Great strides have been made in treating abnormal veins with lasers. Surface laser or intense pulsed light treatments, such as Vasculight and PhotoDerm, are some of the better known options. These devices use heat energy to selectively damage or destroy abnormal veins. An advantage of these treatments is that no needles or sclerosing solutions are required, however there may be some minor discomfort. Side effects do occur, including discoloration or staining and blister formation. These conditions typically disappear over time.

Not all patients need treatment for their varicose veins or spider veins. Many people have no pain or other symptoms. For these individuals, no treatment is necessary, unless they want the veins removed for cosmetic reasons. According to the womenshealth.gov preventions include:

  • Wear Sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and to limit spider veins on the face.

  • Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Focus on exercises that work your legs, such as walking or running.

  • Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.

  • Do not cross your legs when sitting.

  • Elevate your legs when resting as much as possible.

  • Do not stand or sit for long periods of time. If you must stand for a long time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. If you must sit for long periods of time, stand up and move around or take a short walk every 30 minutes.

  • Wear elastic support stockings and avoid tight clothing that constricts your waist, groin, or legs.

  • Eat a low-salt diet rich in high-fiber foods. Eating fiber reduces the chances of constipation which can contribute to varicose veins. High fiber foods include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, like bran. Eating too much salt can cause you to retain water or swell.

Kate Croom is a medical marketing specialist with the Miranda Spider Vein Laser Treatment Clinic in Austin, TX. She also serves as the customer service representative for Dr. Miranda. For additional medical tips from Kate, visit

=> http://www.spiderveintreamentaustin.com

Article source: https://articlebiz.com
This article has been viewed 598 times.

Rate article

Article comments

There are no posted comments.

Related articles