General overview tom vein and varicose vein therapy

Without surgical procedures ,with improved technology it is possible to perform  non –invasive vein therapy.Laser delivers pulses of light energy which cause the blood within the vein coagulate ,destroying the vessel which is absorbed by your body.

Varicose Veins, Spider Veins and Dilated Capillaries are usually functionless, incompetent, distended blood vessels into which blood passively pools. They are not able to ensure the flow of blood back to the heart. By the time that they have appeared, normal functioning veins and capillaries, in the same vicinity, have taken over their function. The circulatory system does not need to form new channels to compensate for their functional absence.

It is estimated that 40% of women have at least some degree of varicose veins or spider veins. Men develop them also, but with less frequency. Although there are many reasons given for the appearance of these unsightly veins and capillaries, the most common cause is heredity. They can be inherited from the maternal or paternal side of the family. If someone is predisposed, there are additional factors that will enhance the development of varicose veins. The most common predisposing factor is pregnancy. Another is injury, such as a contusion or blow to the leg.

Once veins are treated, they should not return. Therefore, it is wise to have varicose veins and spider veins treated early. There is no need to wait until after having all of your anticipated pregnancies before beginning treatment. Of course, new varicose and spider veins can develop during subsequent pregnancies, but at least the previously treated ones would be gone.

What is enlarged vein?
Physcians often define unsightly veins as harmless ones such as;spider veins,small facial veins  Some are subtle some are visible.

What are varicose veins?
Varicose Veins are enlarged veins that are greater than 2 millimeters in width and sometimes exceed 2 centimeters. They may appear blue or green in color but often no color is seen. In this latter circumstance, they just appear as protruding, tortuous cords that course under the skin. Varicose veins are apparent when standing but often seem to disappear when lying down or with leg elevation.

A normal vein has one-way valves (known as venous valves) which ensures the unidirectional flow of blood. A varicose vein has incompetent valves that are not able to prevent blood from pooling within its channel. Without treatment, the continued pooling of blood causes these veins to become even more distended.

Varicose veins
Varicose veins are the blue or purplish enlarged veins you typically see bulging out of one's leg. The word "varicose" is derived from the Latin root word "varix," which is translated in English as "twisted." Any vein in your body may become varicose, however, its important to note that this condition or varicose veins exists most often in the legs and feet. Varicose veins occur in the legs and lower extremities because standing and walking increases the pressure in the veins in the lower half of your body.

Is it only a cosmetic concern? For many men and women, varicose veins and spider veins (these are the smaller and more common variation of varicose veins) makes them feel less attractive. However, it's important to note that for others, varicose veins cause aching pain and discomfort. This condition may lead to serious problems if not treated. Moreover, varicose veins may also serve as an indication that the individual is at a higher risk of other disorders of the circulatory system.

As with many other health related issues, self-help measures work well for prevention; compression stockings and changing certain aspects in one's lifestyle.

Risk Factors that Increase your Chances of Developing Varicose Veins

• Standing for long periods of time. Blood doesn't flow as well if you're in the same position for long periods of time because your muscles are not contracting to push the blood back to the heart.

• Obesity. Extra weight puts more pressure on your veins.

• Age. The normal processing of aging causes wear and tear on the valves in your veins which regulate blood flow. The wear and tear may causes the valves to malfunction.

• Sex. Women have a higher chance than men are to develop varicose veins and spider veins. This is attributed to hormonal changes during pregnancy, and also premenstruation or menopause may be a factor. Some researchers have found that female hormones may relax vein walls. Moreover, the use of hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills may increase the risk of varicose veins.

• Genetics. Check to see whether your family members have varicose veins, heredity plays a big role.

Non-laser vein and varicose vein  therapies
Sclerotherapy, or injection therapy, is a non-surgical procedure in which a solution is injected into the problem varicose veins or spider veins in order to cause its disappearance. Sclerotherapy is done in-office using small needles. The procedure does not take more than 30-60 mins and can even be done during an office lunch break.

A variety of solutions are used to do sclerotherapy. The dosage is usually adjusted based on the size of the veins. There is a little sting associated with each injection. The burning sensation lasts few seconds. Most patients find the discomfort of treatment to be minimal. No surgical incisions are made and anesthesia is not necessary. When a problem vein is closed off via sclerotherapy, the blood will re-route through the normal veins and flow much more efficiently. Usually  medication can only relax the patient temporarily.It requires long term medication.This method is unable to stop the illness.

Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy works by irritating the lining of the vein such that the vein seals shut. It takes about 15-20 minutes and can be used to treat spider veins and varicose veins. Patients usually wear a compression stocking for a short period after treatment. Most people need a few treatments (2-4 treatments) to obtain the best results. In patients with milder cases, 1-2 will suffice. The treatments are more when there are more veins or slightly larger veins. For patients with multiple spider veins, up to 15-20 injections can be done at each seating. Sclerotherapy treatments are generally done in monthly intervals. Although complications may occur with any medical treatment, sclerotherapy has a good safety record. A patient can resume most activities shortly after each session. You should always discuss the risks and treatment alternatives with your physician.

It is important to recognize that bulging surface varicose veins are often due to underlying problem veins. In order to get better results, these underlying veins should be treated, in addition to treatment of the surface veins. In the case of bulging surface veins, most physicians use duplex ultrasound to evaluate the underlying veins of the leg prior to developing a treatment plan.It is performed under general anesthesia.It requires to be treated in hospital.

Endovenous Laser Treatment
EVLT® uses targeted laser energy to close the vein shut and helps in making you look and feel better fast. The benefits of the procedure are relief from heaviness in the legs, in addition to an overall wellness of being. You will have the confidence to show off your legs, regardless of the weather or season. The EVLT® procedure is a minimally invasive laser procedure in treating varicose veins without scarring. The laser energy minimizes the vein walls, shrinking them and closing the faulty vein so that the blood cannot flow through it. This eliminates the bulging of the vein at its source. After the treatment, the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to the many normal veins in the leg.

The procedure takes about 45 minutes with local anesthetic and is done on an outpatient procedure basis.
Less than 1 percent of patients develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from the laser ablation. Numbness has been known to occur in a small number of cases and on rare occasions can be permanent.Visible facial veins (spider veins, telangiectasias, spider angiomas, benign vascular lesions)

Visible facial veins, which have many different names (see above), are actually dilated blood vessels. They are usually found on the forehead, nose, cheeks, eyelids, neck, and upper chest. Visible veins are most commonly seen in fair-skinned women and usually appear in the fourth or fifth decade. Blood vessel dilation is due to weakening of the elastic fibers in the walls of the blood vessel. Although the exact mechanisms leading to blood vessel dilation are not understood, visible veins are associated with excessive sun exposure, normal aging, steroid use, liver disease, genetics, radiation therapy, and trauma. On the face, visible veins can range in size from the tip of a pencil to bigger than a pencil eraser. Visible veins may be even larger on sites other than the face. Visible veins are often considered to be a cosmetic issue. However, they can be found in people with rosacea (see rosacea section on this site), liver disease, and more rarely, autoimmune disease. Hormonal changes can be associated with visible veins as well. Your physician can help to determine the cause of your visible veins.

Facial Vein Prevention

Visible veins are often secondary to sun damage; thus, sunscreen use and sun avoidance are recommended.

Facial Vein Treatment

There are many different treatments options available for visible veins:

1. Electrosurgery uses an electric current from a hand held needle. The electric current, when applied to the blood vessel, destroys it. This method is somewhat painful, but is usually tolerated because it is quick. After the procedure, a tiny scab forms which usually heals quickly and with minimal scarring.

2. Lasers are sources of high energy focused light. Certain lasers, called vascular lasers, are designed to target a component of blood called hemoglobin. Vascular lasers destroy the blood vessel and leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. The side effects of laser therapy can include pain (similar to a rubber band snap) and temporary purpura or purple pigmentation of the skin similar to bruising. The purpura usually resolves in a day or two. The risk of scarring is low.

3. Intense pulsed light therapy is similar to laser therapy except broadband light is used instead of focused light. The procedure itself is similar to lasers, but there is usually less purpura.

Laser treatments and intense pulsed light are typically done at four to eight week intervals. Several treatments may be required. When new vessels appear, patients return for more treatments.

Visible Veins on legs and face and treatment
There are many different treatments options available for visible veins:

1. Electrosurgery uses an electric current from a hand held needle. The electric current, when applied to the blood vessel, destroys it. This method is somewhat painful, but is usually tolerated because it is quick. After the procedure, a tiny scab forms which usually heals quickly and with minimal scarring.

2. Lasers are sources of high energy focused light. Certain lasers, called vascular lasers, are designed to target a component of blood called hemoglobin. Vascular lasers destroy the blood vessel and leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. The side effects of laser therapy can include pain (similar to a rubber band snap) and temporary purpura or purple pigmentation of the skin similar to bruising. The purpura usually resolves in a day or two. The risk of scarring is low.

3. Intense pulsed light therapy is similar to laser therapy except broadband light is used instead of focused light. The procedure itself is similar to lasers, but there is usually less purpura.

Laser treatments and intense pulsed light are typically done at four to eight week intervals. Several treatments may be required. When new vessels appear, patients return for more treatments

Laser treatment of rosacea and facial redness
Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha) is a common but poorly understood disorder of the facial skin .Most of the patients don't know it. In fact, while rosacea is becoming increasingly widespread as the populous baby boom generation enters the most susceptible ages. While the cause of rosacea is unknown and there is no cure, today medical help is available that can control the signs and symptoms of this potentially life-disruptive disorder. Any one of the following warning signs is a signal to see a dermatologist or other knowledgeable physician for diagnosis and appropriate treatment before the signs and symptoms become increasingly severe:

• Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.

• Small visible blood vessels on the face.

• Bumps or pimples on the face.

• Watery or irritated eyes.

Rozasea

Laser can be performed for diminishing the redness ‘ rosacea’.If disease is in active phase medication is suggested.4-6 sessions are required for laser treatment of rosacea .

How does Laser affect?

Laser delivers pulses of light energy below the skin and destroys the vessel which is later reabsorbed by your body.

Port wine stains

A port wine stain, or nevus flammeus, is a birthmark consisting of malformed, dilated blood vessels in the skin. It is not a type of hemangioma

How can port wine stains be treated?

Treatments performed in the past have been quitted as they were insufficient.Liquid Nitrogen and CO2 laser are  also ineffective.One of the most appropriate treatment is 1064 Excell laser treatment.

Hemangiomas and malfunctions?
Hemangiomas are strawberry-colored "birthmarks". They are not rare, and vary from tiny blebs to large and multiple tumor-like growths. They are not true birthmarks since they are mostly not seen at birth, but start in infancy and then begin to grow. Hemangiomas first appear from birth up to 18 months, and then slowly shrink. Port wine stains and other true birthmarks are fully formed at birth and do not grow wider.

This birthmark is a type of capillary hemangioma which is usually not visible at birth, but enlarges rapidly thereafter. It is a bright red, raised, compressible tumor that has sharp borders. Strawberries can be found on any part of the body surface. These birthmarks enlarge until perhaps nine months of age, stabilize in size, and then begin slowly to shrink. The beginning of this shrinking process is marked by the appearance of grey flecks of scar tissue on the bright red surface of the birthmark. Gradually these flecks spread over the hemangioma, and as the scar tissue matures and shrinks, blood is squeezed out of the capillaries and they disappear, no longer bright red. Eventually, only a flat, slightly lighter patch of skin indicates where the birthmark once bulged. Also known as a mulberry birthmark.

Port wine stain
Port wine stain or nevus flammeus is a rather darker birthmark - a type of hemangioma - that can be deep red to purple (or even black in African-American babies). It often affects the facial region. It has a more leathery or thickened surface than a stork bite and does not fade, but will require removal if disfiguring. Port wine stains on the face in the area of distribution of the trigeminal nerve (forehead and cheekbone on one side around the eye) are sometimes a sign of more serious blood vessel malformations within the brain. For this reason children with this type of birthmark will undergo further testing, usually neurological consultation and CT or MRI scanning.

Kavernous haemangiome
These tumors are benign by cell type but can have serious consequences. Cavernous hemangiomas are wild, jumbled growths of blood vessels fed by numerous tributary arteries (making surgical removal extraordinarily difficult and risky in most cases). They are probably all present at birth, but start to enlarge rapidly after delivery. They may attain great size and cause significant disfigurement or even impinge on vital organs or the airway.
Fortunately, these tumors have a life cycle. After rapidly enlarging for some months, they stabilize in size and then slowly begin to shrink of their own accord. Eventual complete or almost complete disappearance of these masses is the rule. Aside from disfigurement and possible problems caused by sheer size of the birthmark, the tortuous blood vessel channels within the hemangioma cause the formation of platelet clots. These clots can consume platelets so rapidly that the bone marrow cannot keep up with production, and bleeding may develop elsewhere in the body because of severe reduction in the level of platelets in circulation.

Usually, the watchword with these things is wait patiently for them to go away by themselves. If complications force the issue and some sort of treatment must be attempted, oral steroids will often trigger shrinking of the hemangioma. This is the most common approach. More heroic measures include injection of tiny beads or other foreign material to clogg up the vessels, or as a last resort, surgery.

A word of caution: hemangiomas should be very soft and squishy to feel. They are blood vessel tumors, and are inherently soft. A hard, rubbery or woody feel to the tumor, even if it looks like a hemangioma, should raise suspicion that it is another type of tumor. The definitive procedure for diagnosis would be a biopsy in that case.

Prices of Laser treatment of varicose
These tumors are benign by cell type but can have serious consequences. Cavernous hemangiomas are wild, jumbled growths of blood vessels fed by numerous tributary arteries (making surgical removal extraordinarily difficult and risky in most cases). They are probably all present at birth, but start to enlarge rapidly after delivery. They may attain great size and cause significant disfigurement or even impinge on vital organs or the airway.
Fortunately, these tumors have a life cycle. After rapidly enlarging for some months, they stabilize in size and then slowly begin to shrink of their own accord. Eventual complete or almost complete disappearance of these masses is the rule.
Aside from disfigurement and possible problems caused by sheer size of the birthmark, the tortuous blood vessel channels within the hemangioma cause the formation of platelet clots. These clots can consume platelets so rapidly that the bone marrow cannot keep up with production, and bleeding may develop elsewhere in the body because of severe reduction in the level of platelets in circulation.

Usually, the watchword with these things is wait patiently for them to go away by themselves. If complications force the issue and some sort of treatment must be attempted, oral steroids will often trigger shrinking of the hemangioma. This is the most common approach. More heroic measures include injection of tiny beads or other foreign material to clogg up the vessels, or as a last resort, surgery.

A word of caution: hemangiomas should be very soft and squishy to feel. They are blood vessel tumors, and are inherently soft. A hard, rubbery or woody feel to the tumor, even if it looks like a hemangioma, should raise suspicion that it is another type of tumor. The definitive procedure for diagnosis would be a biopsy in that case.