Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, dilated, and twisted veins that appear on the legs and feet. They are generally identified by their dark or blue color and bulged or twisted appearance.
For many people, varicose veins are nothing more than a cosmetic problem. However, some people may experience pain and discomfort due to these veins. And in rare cases, these veins can cause serious health problems.
Fortunately, multiple treatment options are available to reduce or even remove varicose veins.
Table of Contents
- 1 Causes and Risk Factors
- 2 Symptoms of Varicose Veins
- 3 Treatment Options
- 4 Varicose Veins Results – Before and After Treatment
- 5
- 6 How can I get rid of varicose veins without surgery?
- 7 What foods are bad for varicose veins?
- 8 What is the most effective treatment for varicose veins?
- 9 What is the average cost of removing varicose veins?
- 10 Is it worth getting varicose veins removed?
- 11 Which exercises are best to prevent varicose veins?
- 12 Do varicose veins come back after removal?
- 13 How long do varicose vein injections last?
- 14 Get in Touch with Our Specialists
Causes and Risk Factors
Varicose veins are generally caused by the weakening of valves and walls of veins. This happens when vein walls are over-stretched, making the valves weak. This results in the blood leaking, flowing backward, and accumulating, causing the veins to swell and enlarge.
The exact reason the walls and valves of veins weaken is not yet known, but several factors are generally thought to contribute to this process. Those factors include:
- Gender
- Age
- Genetics
- The nature of work
- Being overweight
- Pregnancy
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
The most distinguishable symptom of varicose veins is their appearance; these veins generally appear purple or blue and are usually bulged or twisted. Some people with these veins on their legs may also feel discomfort and pain.
Aside from their looks, varicose veins may also accompany the following symptoms:
- A feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the legs
- Swelling in the ankles and feet
- Throbbing or burning sensation in the legs
- Itchy and dry skin over varicose veins
Treatment Options
Varicose veins can be treated with various clinical procedures, some of which are discussed below.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is highly effective for varicose veins. This treatment involves injecting a medicated solution into the affected veins. This causes those veins to turn into scars and reroutes their blood to healthier veins. Over time, these scars merge with the surrounding tissues and eventually disappear or become less visible.
Endovenous Laser Treatment
This treatment involves using a laser to heat the varicose veins, resulting in their closure and reduction. The laser energy shrinks the varicose vein, and its blood flows through the surrounding healthy veins. This procedure results in the treated vein becoming a scar, which then fades with time.
Radiofrequency Ablation
This minimally invasive treatment uses ultrasound energy to heat up a varicose vein and damage it from the inside. This results in the development of scar tissue, which closes the vein from the inside. The scar is usually noticeable initially but becomes less visible after some time.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Ambulatory phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure during which superficial varicose veins are simply stripped off the skin. The surgeon or practitioner makes a small incision near the affected veins and removes them. This process may not even need stitches afterward.
Varicose Veins Results – Before and After Treatment
How can I get rid of varicose veins without surgery?
A number of non-surgical and non-invasive options are available for treating varicose veins, including laser varicose veins treatment, sclerotherapy, radiofrequency, and thermal ablation.
What foods are bad for varicose veins?
If you have varicose veins, you may need to avoid eating sugary and salty food items and refined carbohydrates. You should also avoid alcoholic beverages and fried food products.
What is the most effective treatment for varicose veins?
Although surgical treatments provide the best results for varicose veins removal, most people want to avoid surgeries. Sclerotherapy and laser treatments are excellent non-surgical alternatives for such people.
What is the average cost of removing varicose veins?
The cost of removing varicose veins varies from patient to patient, depending on a number of factors. Some of these factors include the severity of the veins, skin type and condition, treatment technique, desired result, etc.
Is it worth getting varicose veins removed?
Varicose veins removal relieves typical symptoms like pain, itching, and swelling. This treatment also improves your legs’ appearance. Hence, getting these veins removed clinically is undoubtedly worth it.
Which exercises are best to prevent varicose veins?
The most beneficial exercises for varicose veins are walking, running, swimming, cycling, yoga, rebounding, leg lifts, calf raises, and ankle rotations.
Do varicose veins come back after removal?
While treatment can remove varicose veins, it doesn’t prevent their future occurrence. According to statistics, about 60% of the recipients of varicose vein removal treatment may experience a reoccurrence. This tends to happen when the root cause of varicose veins, such as chronic venous insufficiency, is left untreated.
How long do varicose vein injections last?
Veins that respond to these injections develop scar tissue that eventually merges with the surrounding tissues. As a result, those particular veins disappear forever. However, new varicose veins can develop in the treated area and surrounding tissues.
Get in Touch with Our Specialists
Want to get rid of varicose veins? Euromed Clinic is here to offer top-rated medical and cosmetic services in Dubai. For details, dial us at +971 4 394 5422. If you want to book a consultation online, fill out the form below.

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