Sclerotherapy is a highly effective method of treating varicose veins and "vascular asterisks".

The essence of the method consists in introducing directly into the diseased vein a special adhesive substance (sclerosant).

After this, the affected vessel is almost dissolved within a few weeks. To achieve the final result, it may take more than a month.

In some cases, several procedures are recommended.

What is sclerotherapy used for?.

Sclerotherapy is used to treat varicose veins at an early stage, as well as for cosmetic purposes, with the appearance of "vascular asterisks" on the skin. The procedure helps to eliminate many of the symptoms associated with varicose veins, including burning, swelling, pain and convulsions at night. If you are pregnant, it is recommended to wait with sclerotherapy before delivery.

Risks associated with sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy is a fairly safe procedure, in which complications rarely occur. Temporary side effects of sclerotherapy include hematomas, darkening of the skin in the form of lines or points, limited redness. These phenomena are not dangerous and take place within a few days or weeks.

In rare cases, complications of sclerotherapy may require treatment:.

• Inflammation of veins. This complication can be manifested by swelling, a feeling of heat and discomfort around the injection site. Your doctor will suggest NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and antibiotics for treatment.

• Thrombus formation. In the vein after sclerotherapy, a blood clot (thrombus). Sometimes the clot breaks and reaches deep veins in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). In this case, there is a risk of pulmonary embolism (pulmonary embolism) (PE) - an emergency condition in which blood flow in the lung is disturbed, there is a severity and pain in breathing, dizziness, sometimes a cough with blood.

• Air embolism. This is a very rare complication, which occurs in approximately 1-2 cases per 1,000 procedures. The bottom line is that small air bubbles enter the bloodstream during the injection. Possible symptoms include visual impairment, headache, cough, nausea.

• Allergic reaction to sclerosant. Some people may be allergic to a substance that is injected into a vein with sclerotherapy, but this happens very rarely.

How should you prepare for the procedure?.

Before sclerotherapy, your doctor will check and check for the presence of diseases that interfere with the procedure.

He may ask you about the following:.

• Presence of allergies to medications.

• Recent illnesses, including heart disease.

• Admission of biologically active additives and medications, especially aspirin, NSAIDs, anticoagulants or antibiotics.

• Smoking or using oral contraceptives - both factors increase the risk of blood clots in the blood vessels.

• Treatment of varicose in the past, indicating the methods used and the results of such treatment.

If you are taking aspirin, NSAIDs, or anticoagulants, your doctor may ask you to stop taking medication several days before the scheduled procedure. This should reduce the chance of bleeding. The doctor can also give you advice on the use of antibiotics or oral contraceptives.

24 hours before sclerotherapy, do not shave your legs and do not use any creams or ointments. On the procedure, wear loose and comfortable clothes.

What to expect from the procedure?.

This is an outpatient procedure, that is, you do not need to go to the hospital. Sclerotherapy can be performed directly in the doctor's office. The procedure does not require anesthesia, and usually takes 10 minutes to half an hour.

Before the procedure, you should lie on your back, and keep your legs slightly elevated. After surface treatment, the doctor inserts the needle into the vein and slowly injects the sclerosant, which causes irritation of the vein walls, inflammation and adherence. In the future, the vein becomes a scar tissue and disappears, leaving behind a thin line. Sclerotherapy is performed under the supervision of ultrasound - this is called echosclerotherapy.

Usually, the drug is used as a solution. Sometimes doctors use a foamy form of sclerosant, especially when treating large veins. The foam form can cover a larger surface than the liquid. Then the method is called foam sclerotherapy.

Of course, you will experience unpleasant sensations during the procedure, especially when inserting a needle into the vein. If you are too hurt, tell the doctor about it - the pain can be caused by the fact that part of the solution does not fall into the vein, but into the surrounding tissues.

Immediately after the end of the procedure, the doctor performs a tight application of the elastic bandage, which will ensure a good compression. Compression is a prerequisite for sclerotherapy. For the success of the procedure, follow all the doctor's instructions!.

After the session you can lie on your back for 15-20 minutes. Your doctor will check the injection site, then give the necessary instructions and let you go home. Immediately after sclerotherapy you can go about your business - walking and movement are very important for the prevention of thrombosis.

The doctor will ask you to wear compression stockings or elastic bandage to ensure the compression of the veins. Usually it should be done within 3 weeks, but it all depends on your doctor's recommendations.

After the session, you may need help to get home. Before the procedure, take someone with you to drive your car. For some time you will need to avoid exposure to sunlight on the affected area. Inflammation caused by injections, in combination with sunlight can lead to the appearance of dark spots, especially if you have swarthy skin.

Sclerotherapy results.

If you were treated for varicose veins, then you will see the final result of therapy in 3-6 weeks. Treatment of large veins can take from 3 to 4 months.

Cured veins will never cause you any inconvenience, but varicose veins may occur in other veins.

Your doctor can appoint a consultation 3-4 weeks later to look at the result of the first procedure. If you need a repeat procedure, it can be done 4-6 weeks after the first. Studies of the effectiveness of sclerotherapy have shown that in the treatment of "vascular asterisks" this method is effective in 60-80% of cases.

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