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- $Unique_ID{BRK01077}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Is There a Treatment for Varicose Veins That Does Not Require Surgery?}
- $Subject{varicose veins vein Circulatory compression sclerotherapy superficial
- surgical elastic stockings stocking sclerosing solution solutions sodium
- tetradactyl sulfate}
- $Volume{G-4}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Is There a Treatment for Varicose Veins That Does Not Require Surgery?
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-
- QUESTION: My legs look terrible, as they are crisscrossed with many unsightly
- varicose veins, which I have in both legs. I understand that a treatment is
- available that does not require surgery for the removal of the veins. Do you
- know of any such treatment and how does it work?
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-
- ANSWER: I think you're alluding to a type of treatment called "compression
- sclerotherapy" which is useful for treating superficial varicose veins. A
- sclerosing solution (used to thicken walls of the vein and obliterate it,
- causing it to collapse) composed of 3% sodium tetradactyl sulfate is injected
- into the veins. Anywhere from three to ten injections can be made into each
- leg. After the injections, the leg is tightly bandaged. These bandages are
- only removed after the medication has had a chance to act.
- If the varicose veins are small and not too prominent, many people can be
- satisfied with the results which are obtained from surgical elastic stockings,
- which can control varicose veins in many individuals. Using these stockings
- properly, putting them on each morning while still in bed when the veins have
- diminished during the night, and wearing them faithfully all day every day,
- may be just enough to allow the veins to return to normal size and function.
- These stockings are frequently used after most types of treatments for
- varicose veins, to help in healing and maintaining good results.
- Incidentally, even with surgical stripping, where varicose veins are
- actually removed, between 33% and 45% of all patients will need additional
- treatment using compressive sclerotherapy for residual or recurrent varicose
- veins. Although the cosmetic results in each of these procedures may not be
- all you desire, treatment can prevent the condition from progressing.
-
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-