What are varicose veins? Stasis of superficial veins is often referred to as varicose veins and generally has a family history and tends to worsen after pregnancy. If you are unhappy with the appearance of varicose veins in your legs, or if varicose veins are causing you discomfort, they can be treated medically or surgically. What are the symptoms of varicose veins? The most common form of superficial vein disease manifests as spider veins, tiny purplish-red tufts of veins that appear on the surface of the skin. True varicose veins form blue stasis clusters on the inner thighs and the back of the calves. If these stagnant veins swell, you may feel tingling or heaviness in your lower extremities after prolonged standing. In severe cases, secondary thrombosis develops in the varicose veins, leading to superficial phlebitis. All types of varicose veins can cause discomfort for patients, but usually do not pose much of a health risk. What should a patient with varicose veins do? By being physically active and losing excess weight, you can reduce the burden on your veins and reduce your symptoms. If you have ankle edema at night, you can wear compression stockings to treat it, and of course elevating the affected limb while you sleep can reduce the edema. What are the treatment options for treating varicose veins? There are several ways to treat superficial varicose veins. Spider plexus can be treated with sclerotherapy (injection of sclerosing agents into the veins) or laser treatment. Thick stasis veins must be treated surgically, and the main surgical methods available are high ligation, stripping, laser, radiofrequency, and freezing. In most cases, the appeal method can reduce edema and discomfort. Vein stripping Larger varicose veins require inpatient surgery and require anesthesia to reduce pain during surgery. The entire varicose vein trunk can be stripped in a single procedure through a high ligation stripping of the vein. An elastic bandage is also applied to the affected limb after surgery. Swelling of the affected limb may last 6 to 8 weeks. Risks of surgery: Before surgery, your surgeon will explain to you the risks of surgical treatment. Swelling and bleeding; anesthesia accidents; recurrence of varicose veins. Varicose vein sclerotherapy Spider veins and localized varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy injections. The treatment procedure involves the injection of a special chemical to close the damaged vein and blood is returned through a nearby traffic vein. An elastic bandage or elastic stocking is also worn on the affected limb after treatment to reduce post-operative bleeding and bruising. Risks of the procedure: The doctor will explain the risks of sclerotherapy to you before the procedure. Local brown pigmentation after injection; possible formation of superficial venous thrombosis; allergic reaction to sclerotherapy; recurrence of varicose veins. What should I be aware of when rehabilitating at home? To speed up recovery, please follow your doctor’s instructions: 1) Elevate the affected limb frequently 2) Move the lower limb to promote blood flow 3) Wear elastic stockings or elastic bandages until the swelling and bruising in the affected limb disappears Where can varicose veins be treated? Varicose veins are common and multi-infarct, which can be treated in general primary hospitals, but the treatment method may be slightly different. Our hospital uses small incisions for internal debridement, and has carried out semiconductor laser treatment earlier in Beijing. If patients are ready to use small incision open treatment, they can go to Beida People’s Hospital, Anzhen and Xiehe for treatment; those who wish to use laser treatment can go to Sino-Japanese Hospital and Second Artillery General Hospital; those who wish to inject sclerotherapy can go to Factory Bridge Hospital.