Sclerotherapy

What are varicose veins and spider veins?

To understand these common vein issues, it’s helpful to envision the role your veins play in your circulatory system. Each time your heart beats, it pumps oxygenated blood into your arteries. That blood flows to your organs, delivering vital nutrients and oxygen to fuel a vast array of cellular functions. 

The deoxygenated blood must then return to your heart to begin the process anew. However, your heart is not powerful enough to push the blood back “upstream” from your limbs. That’s where veins come in. 

Your veins transport blood back to your heart. Tiny muscle contractions keep the blood moving, and a series of tiny valves in your veins prevent blood from flowing backward. 

Varicose and spider veins develop when one or more of those valves becomes damaged. That allows blood in that vessel to pool, where it can coagulate and put pressure on the vein walls. This is what causes the veins to bulge and become visible through the surface of your skin. 

Varicose veins often develop on the lower legs, although they can also occur elsewhere. Spider veins are much smaller and develop in clusters resembling a spider’s web. They are often found on your face. 

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a treatment for varicose and spider veins. You’ll need to let your practitioner know about all medications and supplements you’re taking prior to the appointment, and you may be asked to temporarily suspend your drug therapy before your treatment. 

If you have a history of blood-clotting problems, are pregnant, or have certain medical conditions, you may not be a good candidate for sclerotherapy. Be sure to share your complete medical history during your consultation. 

How does sclerotherapy work?

You’ll lie back with your legs elevated during your procedure. Once the area is properly cleansed, your practitioner uses a very thin needle to inject the sclerotherapy solution into the targeted veins. 

You may feel minor cramping or stinging sensations as the injections are administered. Once the solution is in place, the area is compressed and massaged to help the solution disperse and to prevent blood from flowing into the treated veins. 

The solution irritates the vein walls, causing them to collapse and adhere together. Your body then processes this tissue and eliminates it through your lymphatic system. This process takes time, but you should begin to see improvements in the appearance of your veins within three to six weeks. 

If you’re ready to learn more, schedule an appointment at Medical Procedures Center at your earliest convenience. Online scheduling is available, or you can always call to speak with a friendly member of the administrative staff regarding appointment availability.