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Why Sclerotherapy Isn’t as Scary as It Sounds

Sclerotherapy can be a mouthful to say, but this treatment for varicose veins is one of the most often used treatments for those varicose veins you do not want to look at or no longer be bothered by.

Varicose veins are a common problem for one quarter of men and more than a third of women, so you are not alone in seeking out solutions. You will find that this procedure really is not as scary as it may sound at first. In fact, there are minimal risks associated with sclerotherapy.

This treatment, which has been practiced by the medical community for over seventy-five years, can be used to treat varicose veins in any area of your body, although usually legs are the most commonly affected area because of the work they must do to pump blood back to the heart. Spider veins and larger varicose veins respond well to the therapy in most cases.

Simply put, sclerotherapy is a treatment for hard or thickening veins, and this procedure is done in the comfort of your doctor’s office, often during the time you have for lunch.

You will receive small varicose vein injections with a super fine needle in the affected area, and although the type of solution that is injected depends on the vein type, the procedure hurts little more than an insect bite. Afterwards, you may feel slight cramping in your veins if particularly larger varicose veins are being treated.

Your next steps include wearing compression stockings to help the treated veins close up. You will also be encouraged to get in some walking to help improve your recovery.

The beauty of sclerotherapy is that it allows your body to take care of the healing process. The injected vein no longer transports blood, becomes closed off and eventually fades away under the skin. Depending on your skin type and how your body heals, this fading may take several weeks to several months from beginning to end.

You may be asked to curtail your intensive cardiovascular activities for a day or two after the treatment as the vein or veins close, so schedule your rigorous tennis practice for a few days after the procedure. You will, however, be able to resume most activities immediately.

Do not be surprised if more than one treatment may be required to eliminate the entire varicose vein or veins, depending on your individual situation. Sclerotherapy is often used in conjunction with multiple treatments such as Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVT).

Sclerotherapy improves the overall look of the veins that show up under your skin, either from discoloration or distortion, and it may be that the procedure will give you back the confidence to bare your legs under skirts or shorts.

This procedure will also improve 2how your legs feel; that heavy aching may disappear altogether, leaving you energized. You will be back in almost no time, practicing your tennis serve and volley while looking younger and feeling better on the tennis court.

Check with your vein treatment specialist to see if you are a candidate for this treatment.

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