Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged swollen veins that usually occur in the legs. They result from a weakness of valves inside veins that allow blood to flow back to the heart. If the valves do not work properly, blood accumulates in the veins, stretching them and causing varicosities. These prominent, blue, bulging veins are often accompanied by dull, nagging aches and pains.

Swelling, sore legs, leg cramps and feelings of heaviness in the legs are also characteristics of varicose veins. A more serious form of varicose veins involves obstruction and valve defects of the deeper veins of the leg. This type of varicose vein can lead to problems such as thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infraction and even stroke.

The subcutaneous veins of the legs are commonly affected, due to the tremendous strain that standing has on the veins. When a person stands for long periods, the pressure exerted against the vein can increase up to ten times. Hence, those whose occupations require long periods of standing are more susceptible to risk of developing varicose veins.

Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, and are linked with heredity. Other related factors are pregnancy, obesity, menopause, aging, prolonged standing, leg injury and abdominal straining. Less commonly, but not exceptionally, varicose veins can be due to other causes, as post phlebitic obstruction or incontinence, venous and arteriovenous malformations.

A commonly performed non-surgical treatment for varicose and spider leg veins is sclerotherapy in which medicine is injected into the veins to make them shrink. The medicines which are commonly used as sclerosants are as follows. Polidocanol 3% or Na-tetradecyl-SO4 liquids are mixed forcibly with air, CO2 or O2 to create foams.

It has been used in the treatment of varicose veins for over 150 years. Sclerotherapy is often used for spider veins and varicose veins that persist or recur after vein stripping. Sclerotherapy can also be performed using foamed sclerosants under ultrasound guidance to treat larger varicose veins, including the great and short saphenous veins.

A study reported a 76% success rate at 24 months in treating saphenofemoral junction and great saphenous vein incompetence with STS 3% solution. A Cochrane Collaboration review concluded sclerotherapy was better than surgery in the short term for its treatment success, complication rate and cost, but surgery was better after 5 years, although the research is weak.

A Health Technology Assessment found that sclerotherapy provided less benefit than surgery, but is likely to provide a small benefit in varicose veins without reflux. Their monograph includes reviews of the epidemiology, assessment, and treatment of varicose veins, as well as a study on clinical and cost effectiveness of surgery and sclerotherapy.

Complications of sclerotherapy are rare but can include blood clots and ulceration. Anaphylactic reactions are extraordinarily rare but can be life-threatening, and doctors should have resuscitation equipment ready. There has been one reported case of stroke after ultrasound guided sclerotherapy when an unusually large dose of sclerosant foam was injected.

VenousBalm-Rx is a topical treatment for varicose veins or related conditions. This potent astringent treatment is to be applied topically to areas of venous insufficiency causing varicose veins, spider veins, or swollen ankles. Application of VenousBalm-Rx brings about contractions and firms secretions. It is primarily drying to underlying tissue and prevents moisture loss.

The mode of action of VenousBalm-Rx as an effective varicose veins treatment is particularly interesting not only in consideration of its ability to tighten tissue at very low concentrations, but also for its tolerability to healthy surrounding tissue, which makes this product one of a kind and superior to all other treatments.

VenousDrops, a new all natural dietary supplement to enhance venous circulation, strengthens immune parameters and safely acts as a blood decongestant. The extracts in this homeopathic treatment have positive systemic effects to promote venous circulation. It is to be taken as a dietary supplement in tandem with application of VaricoseBalm-Rx.

Treating venous insufficiency can be accomplished via topical application of VenousBalm-Rx and VenousDrops. These extracts from pure natural sources tend to enhance circulatory functionality utilizing the body’s bioforce. Synthetic drugs do not have the ability to impact the bioforce of the body which makes these treatments so important in today’s pharmacopeias. To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.