Dr. Ashley CHINEAH, private Interventional Radiologist, outlines on varicose veins, a common vascular condition affecting both men and women.
#1 What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are bulging, twisted, damaged veins, that most commonly happen on your legs.
#2 Are all varicose veins the same?
Depending on the severity of the disease, varicose veins are classified into 6 categories: reticular veins, varicose veins, edema (swelling of the legs), changes in skin colour, healed ulcer and active ulcers.
#3 What are the causes?
Varicose veins are due to damage to the one-way valve in them. These valves help in the return of blood to the heart. When the valves do not function properly, blood pools in the legs, mostly around the ankles.
#4 What are the symptoms?
Cosmetic issues, pain, swelling, discoloration of the skin, ulcer, bleeding are common symptoms.
#5 Will removing or destroying varicose veins affect blood flow?
Treating varicose veins using hi-tech medicine, proven by evidence-based medicine, improves blood flow in 95-99 % of patients suffering from varicose veins.
#6 What happens if they are not treated, do they worsen over time?
Varicose veins always worsen over time if left untreated, from a cosmetic issue to swelling, skin discoloration and to ulcer formation. Bleeding and blood clot formation can also happen in untreated veins.
#7 How can they be treated and when to see a Healthcare Specialist?
According to medical guidelines, it is nowadays agreed that endovenous treatment (mostly known as laser ablation) under local anaesthesia with faster recovery and no scarring, is the treatment of choice compared to traditional surgical techniques as stripping.
#8 How can they be prevented?
Healthy lifestyle, no smoking, regular exercise, leg elevation and use of varicose vein stockings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Dr. Ashley CHINEAH
Trained in interventional radiology, he performs mostly endovenous ablation of varicose veins, thermal ablation of tumours of thyroid, liver, kidneys, embolization of uterine fibroids, prostate hypertrophy, and treats peripheral vascular disease.
