What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are veins that are enlarged as a result of weakness in the vein wall that causes incorrect function of the vein valves.
How do varicose veins form?
When the valves are not functioning properly, the blood flow to the heart still functions normally, but some of the blood in the leg leaks backwards and creates blood surplus which leads to higher pressure, causing the veins to dilate and the blood flow to reverse. Thus, the veins slowly protrude outwards and the blood leaks from the deeper system towards the surface. The condition only gets worse over time.
Who is in the risk group for varicose veins?
People whose work involves prolonged standing on their feet (teachers, nurses, lecturers, cashiers, etc.) and women who undergo hormonal therapy, such as: contraceptive pills, fertility treatments, menopause – are more vulnerable to developing varicose veins. About 25% of women and about 15% of men in the world suffer from the disease, and in recent years the studies suggest that the incidence is on the rise. Age, by the way, has no effect on the condition, and young girls too, may suffer from it.
What is the difference between dilated capillaries and varicose veins?
Capillaries are veins extended to up to 3 mm in diameter. Those that are greater than 3 mm in diameter are varicose veins.
What is a Doppler test?
This is a test that combines ultrasound – a test showing the anatomical structure and characteristics of the organ using sound waves – with Doppler that decodes the blood flow direction in the blood vessels. While a standard ultrasound test provides information on anatomical data of the blood vessels, such as: width and shape, the Doppler test provides real-time video imaging of blood flow within the vessel and the flow velocity .
What is the Doppler test used for?
The test is mainly used as a means of diagnosing diseases and for clarifying the medical condition before treatment, for example: measuring blood flow in the blood vessels for planning limb bypass surgery (examining the degree of blood flow in the blood vessels intended to serve for bypass).
The Doppler test can detect life-threatening situations in time and aid the physician in determining which conditions require treatment and even in choosing the appropriate treatment method. Thus, for example, the timely identification of blood clots, arthritis, or blood vessel blockages in the neck may lead to treatment, without which the patient may suffer from dizziness, visual impairment and even stroke. Another use for the test is made during pregnancy, there the Doppler test helps examine the blood flow in the fetus and aids to assess and identify blood flow issues in the placenta and the umbilical cord.
What is venous insufficiency?
Venous insufficiency is a medical condition where the unidirectional valves located in the leg veins are dysfunctional. As a result, a disruption of the normal circulation of blood occurs, which leads to accumulation of blood in the lower limbs, and may cause pain, swelling, edema, and prevention of wound healing.
What are the most common complaints associated with varicose veins?
Non-aesthetic appearance, pain, feeling of heaviness or pain in the legs (or both), itching or irritation, edema at the end of the day or after a prolonged standing period, skin changes in the thigh area (starting from mild pigmentation and to a chronic ulcer), bleeding (due to varicose vein dilation) and superficial vein thrombosis – appearing as a red, warm, sensitive and swollen vein.
Why is it important to treat protruding varicose veins in the legs?
* Failure to treat varicose veins can cause leg edema, brown pigmentation in the skin that can spread from the ankle to the knee.
* In some cases, skin hardening can occur in the ankles and the legs, and sometimes even pain in the joints.
* Neglecting varicose veins treatment can lead to complications such as vein infections, blood clots or vein thrombosis, bleeding and difficulties in wound healing.
* The appearance of prominent veins will get worse and the patient’s sensations in the legs may also worsen.
Do the varicose vein treatments involve general or local anesthesia, and how does the doctor decide on the type of anesthesia required?
Thermal (heat-based) treatments, such as: venous laser, radio waves or steam, are performed under a particular type of local anesthetic called the Tumescent anesthetic. Anesthesia is done around the treated vein, with the goal of blocking pain sensation and isolating the tissues around the area from the damage heat-emitting device fiber may cause. Anesthesia is performed using ultrasound (duplex) guidance.
What are the existing treatment methods available for treating varicose veins?
Endothermic treatments are advanced and innovative methods for treating varicose veins: the treatments we have available of those methods are the Endo Laser, radio wave treatment and steam treatment. The selection of the most appropriate method will be made after the patient has been examined by the specialist doctor, and will be in full accordance with the patients’ condition and needs.
How long does it take to return to normal function after the treatment?
After the thermal treatments, the patient is asked to leave the bed and walk for half an hour before being released home. Walking in the initial days after the treatment is recommended. Return to normal function after these treatments is significantly faster compared to a post-surgery recovery, usually taking a few days, rather than two weeks.
How to choose the method of treatment?
In order to recommend the most appropriate treatment method, the condition must first be accurately diagnosed. This diagnosis is performed by a physical examination performed by a specialist doctor as well as a duplex ultrasound examination of the leg veins. It is important that the duplex examination and its decoding will be most comprehensive, and that they include anatomic details about the affected veins, so that the doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment for the patient.
Therefore, it is important to undergo this examination with a specialist proficient and experienced in all the available blood vessel, vein, artery and varicose treatment methods. The test is decoded by Prof. Zelikovsky, one of the leading experts in Israel and the world in the field of blood vessels.
Why are the pregnant women in a higher risk group for varicose symptoms?
During pregnancy new varicose veins might appear, and the existing ones might worsen, mainly due to hormonal effects that lead to the weakening of the vein wall, as well as the pressure exerted by the uterus on the veins in the pelvis. Today, it is recommended to treat varicose veins before entering the first pregnancy.
What is the most common location for varicose veins?
The most common location for varicose veins to form are the legs. Other places are the vulva veins, and the anus veins, usually called hemorrhoids.
What are the sources of funding for the treatments?
The procedure can be done privately, through the insurance companies (if there is insurance coverage), or the supplementary insurance of the Health Management Organizations.
What are the benefits of treating varicose veins at Medica?
* The leading medical center in the field
* All methods of treatment available
* Senior blood vessels experts in Israel, headed by Prof. Zelikovsky, winner of the prestigious “Mifal Hayim” award for his contribution to the field of blood vessels.
* Blood vessels laboratory to diagnose and select the most appropriate treatment method for the medical condition and the patient.
* Local anesthesia to prevent pain during the procedure
