What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are unusually enlarged blood vessels that appear near the surface of the skin. They are a common condition and are usually found in the legs behind the knees, linking all the way to your ankles. They are caused by venous insufficiency, which can lead to serious health conditions if left untreated. In healthy veins, vein valves work against gravity to enable blood flow to the heart. Weakened valves result in blood pooling in the veins, building up pressure and causes the vein to enlarge and become twisted.

Varicose veins are a mere aesthetic concern for some, but for others, they can be painful and uncomfortable, and may even cause skin ulcers and blood clots.

Due to technological advancements, there are many types of minimally invasive varicose vein treatments in Singapore that are effective in reducing pain and preventing these problems from arising again. Patients can find relief from their symptoms and achieve a better quality of life with the right treatment.

Varicose Veins: Getting Diagnosed

Varicose veins are very visible and easy to diagnose. Your vascular doctor will conduct a physical examination to check for any swelling, sores, changes in skin colour, or tender areas in your legs during the diagnosis of varicose veins. This will be done while you are standing or sitting with your legs dangling above the ground. The doctor may also ask you to describe any pain or discomfort you’ve experienced in your legs over the years.

Other tests such as an ultrasound may be conducted if you show signs of abnormal blood flow, a blood clot, or deep vein thrombosis, a life-threatening condition.

A varicose vein treatment plan will be prepared after diagnosis.

Varicose Veins Symptoms

• Dark purple or blue-coloured veins
• Visible, twisted and swollen veins in the legs
• Pain such as aching, cramps, burning and/or throbbing in the legs
• Aggravated pain after sitting or standing for a period of time
• Swelling in feet and ankles
• Itching near the veins
• Leg ulcers
• Open sores and bleeding

Who Is at Risk of Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are a common condition that can affect individuals due to a variety of contributing factors. While anyone can develop varicose veins, certain groups are at a higher risk based on their lifestyle, health, and genetic predisposition.

• Age: The risk of varicose veins increases with age. Over time, the valves in the veins may weaken, reducing their ability to efficiently return blood to the heart.
• Family History: A family history of varicose veins can significantly elevate the likelihood of developing this condition, as weak vein walls or valves can be hereditary.
• Gender: Women are more likely to develop varicose veins compared to men. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause may contribute to this increased risk.
• Occupation and Lifestyle: Jobs or activities that require prolonged standing, such as teaching, nursing, or retail work, can put extra pressure on the veins, increasing the chance of developing varicose veins.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy often places additional strain on the veins due to increased blood volume and pressure from the growing uterus.
• Weight: Excess weight or obesity can exert extra pressure on the veins, making it harder for them to function effectively.

Understanding these risk factors can help in identifying early signs and taking proactive steps to reduce the likelihood of developing varicose veins.

Types of Varicose Vein Treatments

ClariVein®

This is the latest minimally invasive varicose veins treatment introduced in Singapore in 2012. Using ultrasound guidance, the ClariVein® infusion catheter, a narrow flexible tube, is accurately introduced under the vein. The ClariVein® catheter is then used to concentrate the targeted infusion of liquid sclerosant to block forward flow and cure the varicose veins.

This is the best treatment for varicose veins as it eliminates all the varicose veins without any surgery, general anaesthesia or hospitalisation and does not risk any nerve injuries or burns from laser treatments. Patients can walk immediately after that and there are no visible scars around the knees or ankles once the fine pinhole needle marks have healed after this varicose veins treatment.

Non thermal treatment methods is a currently preferable varicose veins treatment in Singapore as it eliminates varicose veins without any surgery, general anaesthesia or hospitalisation. In addition, risks of nerve injuries or burns from laser treatments are eliminated via this varicose veins treatment. Patients are able to walk immediately after that and there are no visible scars around the knees or ankles once the fine pinhole needle marks have healed.

Learn more about ClariVein® here.

EVLT

Using ultrasound guidance, a fine laser wire is inserted into the veins under Ultrasound Guide as a form of varicose veins treatment. Laser energy is used to send strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the varicose veins slowly fade and disappear.

Learn more about EVLT here.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation targets the vein wall using a radiofrequency wave in 20 second bursts for this varicose veins treatment. The collagen of the vein wall is heated which makes the treated varicose vein shrink and close. Eventually, the varicose vein is absorbed by body, and disappears.

Learn more about Radiofrequency Ablation here.

Sclerotherapy

In this procedure, small- and medium-sized varicose veins and spider veins are injected with a chemical solution that scars and closes those veins. After some varicose veins treatment sessions, treated varicose veins should fade but statistics with past patients have found a high recurrence rate.

Learn more about Sclerotherapy here.

Venous Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are an effective varicose veins treatment. They prevent complications of venous diseases from progressing by creating significant pressure on your legs to allow blood to go through narrower circulatory vessels. However, with the hot and humid tropical weather in Singapore, it may be difficult for patients to wear the stockings for long periods of time.

Find out more about Vein Diseases and varicose veins treatment options in Singapore.

Our doctor regularly conducts free public educational forums at his clinic in Singapore. Contact us now if you would like to be informed about the next forum or make an appointment with our doctor for a consultation.

Why choose varicose veins treatments by our doctor?

Varicose veins are not only aesthetic issues, they are often the symptoms for other severe medical health problems such as chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins treatments may be important interventions. You may be having more complicated issues such as weak blood flows and blood clots that are not easily visible like deep vein thrombosis. For early detection of such potentially fatal diseases, it is important to have proper diagnosis and varicose veins treatment by a vascular and endovascular specialist.

Being among the few vascular and endovascular trained surgeons in Singapore, our doctor can provide a one stop comprehensive service from performing diagnosis to varicose veins treatment.

During the assessment of your varicose veins, our doctor will determine if you will need a Sonography (vascular ultrasounds) examination to diagnose for issues such as deep vein thrombosis before undergoing varicose veins treatment. This can be done onsite during the same consultation as he is able to do the ultrasound personally instead of waiting for weeks before getting appointments with a technician.

This allows our doctor to process the information, explain the results to you immediately and prescribe a customised varicose veins treatment for you that is best suited for your body and preferences. For the unsightly veins to be removed, varicose veins treatment in Singapore can include ClariVein®, EVLT, Radiofrequency Ablation or Sclerotherapy.

Consult with us today to know which treatment would be perfect for you.

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