Varicose Veins Facts

VARICOSE VEINS FACTS What Are Varicose Veins? Varicose veins usually occur in the legs, although they can actually occur in any vein. They are swollen and enlarged veins, which are often blue or dark purple in colour making them very noticeable even through tights/stockings. The veins are also sometimes bumpy, twisted or have bulges. Key Facts Varicose veins Women tend to The most common Prevention is factor in varicose veins better than a cure affect up to three in 10 adults be more affected is genetic predisposition (hereditary condition) than men Varicose veins do not tend Removal of varicose veins is considered to be The veins themselves provide no real purpose in the 'varicose' state to get better and can actually get worse with perfectly safe and worthwhile time if not treated. Varicose Vein Symptoms As well as the cosmetic/aesthetic issues they cause, varicose veins can also have other physical symptoms, including: Muscle cramps or night cramp Discomfort/pain Legs may feel achy or heavy Itchiness Changes in the skin called varicose eczema Swelling around the ankles/feet due to the poor circulation What Causes Varicose Veins? Varicose veins occur when the tiny valves within the veins stop working efficiently. If the valves become inefficient, weak or damaged, the blood can collect in the vein which cases it to be swollen and enlarged. Incompetent Valve (backflow allowed by valve) Normal veins Varicose veins Varicosities Correctly functioning valve Skin ESkin Weakened valves Normal veins Varicose veins Recommended Treatment Options Medical experts agree that lifestyle changes e.g. weight loss can be helpful in the first instance to prevent or manage the onset of varicose veins. The most effective treatment for This uses short pulses of laser energy, delivered using a fine probe through a small incision, usually near the knee. This seals the faulty vein so that blood cannot flow through. The leg is then bandaged to reduce swelling and bruising. established varicose veins is EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation), which has over 95% success rate. Safe and painless laser varicose vein removal Same day walk in walk out treatment Removes the veins in your legs permanently procedure CosmedicsUK skin clinics III Over a 95% success rate compared to failure rate of about 50% with older NICE guidelines recognise that EVLA is the best way Available at Cosmedics Skin Clinics' London Vein to remove the majority of Treatment Centre in varicose veins. Putney, SW15, London surgical 'stripping' methods EVLA Treatment Options NHS Treatment Private Clinics £1,550 per vein at Cosmedics' London Vein Treatment Centre (this is very competitive and price will vary at other companies) Free Cost Due to cutbacks, the NHS carry out relatively little varicose vein treatment, as it is considered a No waiting lists - treatment can be arranged very quickly Availability cosmetic issue Visit your GP for advice. If Your consultation should he/she agrees, then you start on include a duplex ultrasound scan, the only way to correctly diagnose veins. At Cosmedics, this is with a Consultant Vascular Surgeon the referral and investigations process Consultation The majority of NHS varicose vein procedures are stripping, which involves a longer recovery and a lower EVLA treatment is available in private clinics such as Cosmedics' London Vein Treatment Centre. This is done on a walkin/walkout basis and recovery is very quick Procedure success rate 99 About Us Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 by Dr Ross Perry and has built up an enviable reputation over the last 10 years for setting high standards of care and patient satisfaction with the professional skin care market. Cosmedics are leading providers of private moles removal in the UK. All moles are removed by qualified and experienced UK accredited doctors and mole testing is carried out in all cases as a precaution. Contact Us O www.cosmedics.co.uk @cosmedics [email protected] 020 73860464 CosmedicsuK .skin clinics