Understanding the Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen and twisted blood vessels that bulge just beneath the skin’s surface, commonly seen as blue or purple bulges in the feet, legs, and ankles. Varicose veins in the legs are common, affecting 1–15% of adult men and 20–25% of adult women.

Normally, the veins in the legs have valves that help blood move toward the heart. When these valves are damaged, blood stays in the legs, causing swelling, pain, heaviness, fatigue, skin discoloration, itching, and visible veins. If not treated, it can lead to non-healing leg ulcers, making the person live a more difficult life.

Varicose veins have three main parts:

• Large and swollen perforators.
• Problems with blood flow at the groin.
• Swollen and twisted side branches.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Changes in our lifestyle, comfortable and less active lifestyles, modern fashion choices, and specific positions we adopt while working have led to new health problems. One such problem is varicose vein disease, which is caused by a sedentary lifestyle. This issue has become quite common nowadays, affecting 15 to 20 percent of the population in India. Women are four times more likely to suffer from it than men, especially young females who wear tight jeans and high-heeled sandals.

Common symptoms include:

• Occasional pain
• Leg heaviness
• Fatigue
• Venous ulcer
• Skin pigmentation
• Visible and dilated leg veins
• Noticeable swelling by the end of the day

Causes of Varicose Veins

The main causes of varicose veins are being overweight, lack of exercise, added pressure on veins during pregnancy, and spending too much time standing or sitting with legs down. As people get older, gain weight, and don’t exercise, the veins in their legs become weaker and can turn into varicose veins.

Nowadays, many jobs require people to either stand for a long time or sit with their legs down. People like computer professionals, receptionists, security guards, traffic policemen, salesmen at counters, and those with desk jobs are most affected by varicose veins.

Women Are More Prone to Varicose Veins

In females, certain hormones weaken the walls of veins, leading to their enlargement and dilation. Pregnancy adds pressure to leg veins, further weakening them and causing varicose veins. Fashion choices contribute significantly to this issue among women, with high-heeled sandals, tight belts, and pants hindering the normal flow of blood in the veins.

Side Effects and Complications of Varicose Veins

• Bleeding from surface veins: Prolonged high pressure in veins may cause small areas to bleed, often around the ankle.
• Venous stasis ulcers: A severe complication of untreated vein problems, causing open sores on the skin.
• Superficial venous thrombosis: Blood clot near the skin’s surface, causing red streaks, warmth, tenderness, or swelling.
• Venous pigmentation (hemosiderin staining): A common outcome of untreated chronic vein issues, causing skin discoloration.
• Venous stasis dermatitis (venous eczema): An inflammatory skin condition on the lower limbs resulting from chronic vein congestion, leading to swelling, skin color changes, and pain.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Formation of blood clots in deep leg veins due to slow blood flow, leading to significant leg swelling.
• Pulmonary embolism: Migration of a blood clot from deep veins to the lungs, potentially causing pulmonary edema and even death if not promptly treated.

Options for Varicose Veins Treatment in India

• Non-surgical methods using RFA (radiofrequency ablation or laser)
• Compression stockings: Elastic stockings squeeze veins to prevent blood from flowing backward. Wearing them may be needed daily for life.
• Sclerotherapy: Used for short-segment disease.
• Conservative treatment: Elevating and flexing legs can reduce swelling.
• Vein Stripping Surgery: A major surgery where the physician disconnects, ties off major varicose vein branches, removes the saphenous vein, and surgically addresses varicose veins. It has a high recurrence rate, leaves visible scars, and requires 2-3 weeks for recovery.

Non-Surgical Varicose Veins Treatment in India: Radio-Frequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a modern and effective non-surgical method for treating varicose veins, using a multipolar RFA machine. With the guidance of color-doppler ultrasound, a radiofrequency catheter is placed into the abnormal vein, and radio-energy is applied to close the vein.

Skilled interventional radiologists perform this procedure without surgery, accessing the problematic vein near the ankle or below the knee through a small cannula. The catheter, equipped with tiny electrodes, heats the varicose vein walls, causing them to collapse. This approach is patient-friendly and offers successful results.

Benefits of Radio-Frequency Ablation in India

• Less risky than surgery.
• Conducted under short or local anesthesia.
• Leaves no surgical scars on the skin.
• Very low recurrence rate compared to surgery.
• Patients can return to normal activities within a day.
• It can be done as a daycare procedure or with a 24-hour hospital stay.

Exploring Varicose Veins Treatment in India

If you’re seeking varicose veins treatment in India, you have access to advanced and patient-friendly options. The varicose veins treatment cost in India caters to a range of budgets, with non-surgical alternatives offering affordability.

Renowned for non-surgical varicose veins treatment in India, procedures like Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) provide effective results without surgery. The RFA process involves minimal risk, leaves no surgical scars, and allows for a swift recovery. With the advantage of low recurrence rates compared to surgery, patients can confidently consider this for effective and economical solutions tailored to their medical needs, taking into account the affordability of non-surgical varicose veins treatment cost in India.