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Preventing recurring varicose veins with laser treatment

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Prevent recurring vein problems with laser vein treatment in CornwallVaricose veins affect millions of people, yet they often go untreated. The biggest reason behind this is its treatment reputation. In the past, surgery was the only solution and it wasn’t pretty. Not only did it involve a long recovery time, but it also wasn’t overly effective. In fact, even today, the recurrence rate of surgery is said to be as much as up to 50%. That’s a very discouraging statistic when you’re trying to decide whether or not to get the problem treated.

However, times have changed and now there’s a huge range of treatments available, with surgery used in only the more severe cases. If you treat varicose veins early, especially with laser treatment, it significantly reduces the chance of them recurring later on in life. Compared to surgery, the recurrence rate is said to be as low as 2%-4%.

How does laser vein treatment work?

There are several types of laser treatments available, with the main difference being the strength of the laser. Endovenous laser ablation is a popular option, using laser energy to seal the veins shut.

Earlier laser treatments were known to cause a lot of discomfort up to five days after the procedure. However, thanks to advancements in the field, newer lasers are much more effective at targeting the area, significantly reducing the discomfort felt during recovery. In fact, some are now virtually painless.

Is it right for you?

While laser treatment is an excellent solution, it may not be suitable for everyone. It is more effective at treating complex varicose veins, but if the problem is severe, surgery may be the only option.

Overall, it’s important to book a consultation and seek advice from a specialist before you decide which treatment option is right for you. Laser treatment can be used to treat a wide range of varicose vein issues, but if could be you only need support stockings if the problem is very mild.

Can support stockings really help treat varicose veins?

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Can support stockings really help treat varicose veins in Cornwall?Those who suffer with very mild varicose veins can usually wear support stockings to help ease the symptoms. While they may not necessarily require treatment, that doesn’t stop mild varicose veins from causing aches, pains and swelling. The use of compression stockings is often recommended, though are they really an effective treatment?

How effective are they?

There’s a reason support stockings are commonly recommended for the treatment of mild varicose veins and that’s because they can be extremely effective. However, that said, it is important to remember they are only a temporary solution and will not eliminate the varicose veins completely. They are simply designed to ease the symptoms and make life more comfortable, particularly during the day.

There are different types of support stockings available, but short-stretch, elasticated support stockings are used to improve blood flow within the calf muscles and reduce ambulatory venous hypertension. This reduces the likelihood of the varicose veins getting worse and also eases the painful, uncomfortable symptoms associated with the condition.

Whilst they can be extremely effective, they are not 100% guaranteed to stop the progression of venous disease.

Are they right for you?

It is highly recommended you seek advice from a vein specialist to determine how severe the condition is. Support stockings should only be worn to treat very mild varicose veins, or as a temporary aid until more permanent treatment is undergone.

Varicose veins aren’t generally dangerous, but they do have the potential to progress into a more severe health issue. Untreated varicose veins have been known to cause blood clots, which can travel up towards the heart. If left untreated, this can prove to be fatal. It’s rare, but it can happen.

Even if you do only have mild varicose veins, you need to consider whether you’re happy to wear support stockings consistently. Remember, they will never eliminate the varicose veins so unless an alternative treatment is sought, you would need to wear the stockings indefinitely.

Overall, getting the veins treated with a more permanent solution, such as laser treatment, is a much more effective solution. Book a consultation at the Cornwall Vein Clinic now to discover which type of treatment would be better for you.

New Magical Home Remedy Claims to Eliminate Varicose Veins in a Month

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New home remedy claims to cure varicose veinsNo matter what type of ailment or illness you suffer with, you’ll always come across home remedies claiming to help. The latest natural miracle cure being advertised for varicose veins is a mixture of grape seed and jojoba oil.

It is claimed this great home remedy can minimise varicose veins in just one month when combined with massages and an hour of exercise each day. But does it really work and are home remedies really effective?

Can home remedies help?

While there is certainly no harm in trying home remedies such as this one, it is highly unlikely they will be very effective.

The jojoba and grape seed oils are said to be packed full of anti-inflammatory benefits. This in theory, will help to reduce the swelling associated with varicose veins. However, it will not actually treat the problem. It may make the condition easier to live with, but it won’t get to the root of the issue. Therefore, the minute you stop using them, the varicose veins are sure to return.

It’s a common misconception that varicose veins are harmless. While most generally are, there is always the potential for them to lead to serious health problems. In severe cases, blood clots can form which travel up the legs to the lungs heart. So, before you try out home remedies, it’s advisable to seek help from a vein specialist to see if treatment would be a safer option.

Treatment options available

With so many different treatment options available for varicose veins, it makes sense to have the condition looked at, rather than trying out ineffective home remedies.

The main reason most people don’t seek treatment is because they think the only option is surgery. However, there are a lot of non-invasive, virtually pain-free options available these days, some of which can even be done in your lunch break.

At the Cornwall Vein Clinic, we have the largest number of approved varicose vein treatments available. From Cyanoacrylate glue to ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy – there’s a treatment choice to suit all types of varicose veins.

Overall, some home remedies are great at providing relief from the symptoms of varicose veins. However, they should never be used as an alternative to actual treatment.

Beware of Varicose Veins This Winter

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How to prevent your varicose veins from getting worse this winterWinter is often seen as a great time for varicose vein sufferers. The colder days give you the perfect excuse to cover up and hide your unsightly veins. However, did you know that it’s also the time of year which can lead to your varicose veins getting worse? Here we’ll look at how winter living can contribute to varicose veins and what you can do to prevent them getting worse.

How can winter affect your varicose veins?

There are a few things which can trigger varicose veins in the winter months including:

  • Weight gain
  • Little exercise
  • Hot baths and heat exposure

As the weather turns colder, it’s common to turn to hot comfort foods. Most people tend to eat more during the winter months; especially throughout the festive season. It’s not unusual to pile on the pounds over the winter months and it’s the weight gain which can cause a problem for varicose veins. As the legs become heavier, they find it increasingly difficult to pump blood efficiently. This in turn leads to increased discomfort for those already suffering from varicose veins.

While you eat more during the winter months, you tend to do less exercise. This again can make it difficult for the legs to pump blood effectively. So, the veins begin to pool with blood, making them ache and bulge out more than usual.

Finally, as it is a lot colder, you’re going to opt for hot baths and have the heating turned up; especially underfloor heating if you have it. Heat causes the veins to dilate, again making them bigger than normal.

How to prevent your veins getting worse this winter

If you want to prevent your varicose veins getting worse over the cold winter months, ensuring you don’t over indulge too much and keeping active will help. Calf exercises are especially effective. If you want to enjoy a nice bath, make sure it’s warm, rather than hot and try not to overuse the heating.

Of course, the only real way to prevent your varicose veins from getting worse this winter is to seek treatment. There are a lot of treatment options available, so why not contact us today and book a consultation?

Cornwall Vein Clinic Now Offering New, Virtually Pain Free Varicose Vein Laser Treatment

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Cornwall Vein Clinic offers new, virtually pain-free treatmenrAt the Cornwall Vein Clinic, we’re dedicated to offering the newest, most innovative varicose vein treatments on the market. Our latest investment is a 1470nm laser, means patients can now enjoy a virtually pain free treatment.

Introducing our new laser

Our new 1470 nanometre laser is proven to eliminate most of the discomfort you’d experience with older laser techniques. Its longer wavelength capacity means it can specifically target cells right within the vein wall. This prevents the laser damaging the surrounding tissue, significantly reducing the pain felt during the procedure.

This innovative new laser treatment also reduces both procedure and recovery time.

A treatment choice to suit you

The addition of our new laser treatment means we are now the only clinic within the Southwest to offer all the recommended varicose vein treatments.

With such a wide choice of procedures available, patients have full control over their treatment. Of course, the type of treatment required will depend upon numerous factors including how severe the varicose veins are. The majority of patients tend to require minimally invasive techniques, though surgery may be needed for particularly large, painful and dangerous veins.

You can find out which procedures are recommended to treat your varicose veins by booking a consultation with our expert surgeons. It is advisable to read up on the different techniques and treatments prior to deciding which one is right for you.

Simple preventative measures

Of course, prevention is always better than a cure. If you have received varicose vein treatment, or you want to avoid developing them in the first place, wearing support stockings during long periods of standing up and ensuring you get plenty of exercise can help.

Overall, varicose veins are a common but highly treatable condition. The majority of the time they are harmless, but there is a possibility they could lead to more serious issues. Therefore, we recommend getting them treated as soon as possible to eliminate the risk.

3 Unusual Places Varicose Veins Can Develop

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VeinsVaricose veins are most commonly found in the lower legs, but did you know they can spring up in more unusual areas?

Developing varicose veins anywhere on the body can be distressing. The green and blue veins don’t just look unsightly – they can also be painful or uncomfortable too. Below you’ll discover 3 unusual places varicose veins can develop.

1. The vagina/vulva

Perhaps the most surprising area varicose veins can appear is around the vagina and vulva area. They most commonly develop during pregnancy and are caused by ovarian or pelvic vein reflux. They can cause a lot of discomfort, as well as lead to other issues such as IBS and stress incontinence.

It is often said there isn’t a suitable treatment available to treat vaginal varicose veins, but coil embolization has been proven to work on some patients.

2. Hands and arms

While it is rare, varicose veins can develop in the hands and arms, especially in older individuals and those who work out a lot. They pose more of a cosmetic issue than a medical one and are pretty harmless compared to varicose veins found on other parts of the body.

Fillers tend to be the most common treatment, though ultrasound guided phlebectomy can also prove successful.

3. Around the eyes

Varicose veins around the eyes can be particularly distressing as they are much more noticeable than on other parts of the body. They can cause a lot of embarrassment and even give the face a disfigured appearance. Treatment will depend upon individual circumstances.

A laser may be used to try and close the veins, but some patients may require plastic surgical procedures to remove them.

These are just 3 surprising places varicose veins can crop up. If you’re concerned about varicose veins on any part of your body, contact us today to book a consultation. It’s also important to visit your GP to have the problem properly diagnosed.