Varicose Veins

You hear so much about new treatments for varicose veins and for good reason. Not only can varicose veins appear very unsightly and damage your self confidence, but they can sometimes be part of a larger medical issue and in some instances need to be dealt with. But who should you turn to? Should they be surgically removed? Should you have laser treatment? What are the implications? And, what is the best option for me?

Due to the prevalence of new technologies, we have articles written by a Consultant Interventional Radiologist who specialises in veins and a Consultant Vascular Surgeon. Which treatment option you choose and which specialist you consult is an important decision and well worth the time taken doing some prelimiinary research of your own, discussing with your GP and speaking to patients who have had different vein treatments.

As Professor of Vascular Surgery, Stephen Black explains; "The appearance of veins on our legs, no matter how small, is a clear indication of the potential progression of vein disease, and should therefore be taken seriously. Veins usually carry blood from the legs up to the heart. The blood is prevented from flowing backwards by one-way valves, however, if these valves become faulty blood is able to flow back down into the legs where it pools and hardens causing varicose veins".