By Dr Irineu Antao Pereira
Mangaluru, Feb 5: Varicose Veins are a common problem. Its sisters, Spider Veins and Venous Telangiectasias, are a common problem too. There are a lot of misunderstandings about varicose veins and spider veins and their treatment.
Today, let us bust the most common myths I have personally come across about varicose veins heard over twenty years of my practice.
Myth 1: Varicose veins are a cosmetic problem.
While varicose veins generally look ugly, it is their complications like bleeding, clot formation, black pigmentation of the skin and chronic leg ulcers that are far more important reasons to have them treated properly than just for the reason that ‘they are looking ugly’. It is not the 'C' of 'Cosmesis', but the 'C' of 'Complications' that should be the reason for early and effective treatment of varicose veins.
Myth 2: Varicose Veins will always recur / reappear after treatment.
This belief has been because of inadequate treatments. Varicose veins treated with closure of the incompetent (leaking) valves and closure of the draining veins gives long-lasting results. This can be minimally-invasive surgery or endovenous laser. Additional Sclerotherapy (injection treatment) may be done for a better cosmetic result. The results are decided by the suitability of an individual patient's varicose veins for a particular type of treatment, surgery, laser, sclerotherapy or even compression stockings as well as the quality of the equipment, the consumables as well as the experience of the treating specialist.
Every patient is different and therefore one needs to customize the treatment to suit each and every patient. ‘One-Size Fits-All Policy’ cannot be adopted and does not give good results. All patients are also not candidates for lasers only. So the patient needs to find the right specialist with the right equipment at the right time, to make the right decision, for the right result.
Myth 3: Varicose Vein treatments are expensive and painful.
Present day varicose vein treatments have evolved to being non-invasive and relatively quick procedures with short recovery times.
Our procedures basically involve patients spending less than a day in hospital using 1470nm Double-Ring Radial Fibre Technology using Biolitec Endovenous Laser Equipment. Treatments are done under local anaesthesia, and the patient generally is on his or her feet in the first hour itself, to walk to the bathroom. Patients resume their normal activities at home in the evening. This has been my five year experience with Biolitec Caselas Lasers and over 2,000 cases in Goa. I expect Mangaluru results to be better as with each passing day, results better themselves.
As regards treatments being expensive, our procedures are packaged from Rs 35,000 to Rs 75,000. For example, a private room patient with varicose veins in a leg, the all-inclusive cost of Endovenous Laser Treatment is around Rs 50,000; while for both legs, it is Rs 65,000. And it is difficult to dispute the quality of our equipment, consumables and results that we deliver to each and every patient.
Myth 4: Insurance Companies do not cover EVLA as they consider it a Cosmetic Surgery.
Refer Myth 1; varicose veins are not just a cosmetic problem (although the treatment of spider veins usually is a cosmetic procedure). I have never encountered a case where insurance was denied for our varicose veins procedures. Moreover, our laser procedures cost lesser than most of the insurance approved surgeries for varicose veins.
Myth 5: Compression stockings are the treatment of varicose veins.
While support stockings are effective in early cases of varicose veins, they are more effective in prevention of varicose veins, especially in pregnancy, and people at risk who also have a positive history of varicose veins. They are not effective, especially as a long-term treatment.
Compression stockings may provide temporary relief, but they cannot stop blood reflux at an incompetent vein valve.
Myth 6: Skin Creams, Apple Cider Vinegar, Tumeric can make Varicose Veins Disappear.
This I think you can bust for yourself. If a leaking water tap at your home could be rectified by a drop of oil or a coat of a 'sealant', life would have been cool indeed. A leaky water tap will however need nothing less than its 'Valve'/ 'Washer' attended, for the leak to stop. I presume, you have your answer too.
Varicose Veins are a case of abnormal circulation of blood in the legs. It is not just a cosmetic condition. Unattended, it can lead to serious complications.
A job that involves prolonged standing or positive family history, markedly increase your risk of having varicose veins and their complications. Prompt treatment gives best long-term results.
Contact:
Dr Irineu Antao Pereira
MBBS, DNB (Gen Surg), MCh (CVTS-JIPMER), DNB (CVTS)
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon
Chest, Artery & Vein Disease Centre,
Colaço Hospital, Mangaluru
Phone: 91-7744880022
Email: dr.irineu.pereira@gmail.com