Informed Diagnosis for Varicose Veins

Duplex Scan

Getting the right diagnosis for any medical problem is key to establishing the most appropriate treatment programme. 

That is especially true when it comes to vein conditions. The nature of veins is that they are hidden beneath the skin’s surface. While a medical professional may be able to see varicose vein symptoms externally (e.g. eczema, ulcers, swollen veins), it is not immediately possible to see what’s going on inside the vein.

Duplex scanning is relatively new technology which has revolutionised the way medics can diagnose varicose veins.

A duplex scan is an advanced version of the ultrasound scan many people are familiar with during pregnancy. However, whereas the traditional ultrasound is a ‘snapshot’ picture, the duplex scan shows movement over time.

Therefore with regard to veins, it shows not only the location and size of veins, but also the blood flow, speed and direction.

This information enables surgeons to make an accurate assessment of the severity of veins, which helps them to make the best recommendation for treatment.

London Vein Treatment Centre

Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centre offers on-site Duplex Scan for varicose veins. This is carried out as part of the initial consultation, so no separate appointment is needed.

Following the scan, the vascular surgeon can show the patient the results, explain the problem and have an open and informed discussion about treatment.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private varicose vein treatment and see many patients who have been refused treatment on the NHS.

Their London Vein Treatment Centre offers EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein).

They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

How Winter Worsens Vein Problems

A feature on MailOnline looks at how winter can make varicose veins and thread vein problems worse. 

It isn’t just the cold weather outside. Winter affects how we live indoors too and a surprising range of seemingly innocuous daily habits increase the likelihood of vein problems or make them worse.

  1. Weight Gain – many adults gain weight over winter. Diet in the winter tends to be warmer, ‘comfort food’, which contains more calories and sees us putting on the pounds. Add to that the impact of Christmas treats, which sees overeating and extra-rich food ‘treats’. Gaining weight means that your legs are under more stress to pump blood back to your heart, which puts pressure on the venous system
  2. High Heels – wearing high heels inhibits the calf muscle pump, making it harder for the veins to pump blood back to the heart. When blood isn’t pumped back efficiently, it tends to pool in the legs, putting pressure on the veins so that they become less efficient, which in turn means more pooling of blood…
  3. Exercise/Circulation – exercising less is not good news for the veins. Apart from any potential impact on weight gain, exercise boosts circulation, while lack of activity makes it more sluggish, again allowing blood to pool in the legs
  4. Hot Baths – a hot bath can be very comforting in cold weather, but heat causes veins to dilate, which can make the legs feel heavy and tired, increasing the likelihood of vein problems
  5. Heating – excessive indoor heating can have the same effect as hot summer weather in exacerbating vein problems

Read more in Mail Health Online.

The article suggests:

“The best way to get rid of your symptoms for good is to have the varicose veins treated by the new laser techniques.”

Varicose & Thread Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics’ dedicated  London Vein Treatment Centre offers EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein). This is a very competitive price compared to other providers and treatment can be arranged very quickly, avoiding frustrating waiting lists.

They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

Thread veins can be treated with sclerotherapy injections, micro cautery laser or Nd:Yag laser.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

Research Shows EVLA Better than Surgery

Varicose Vein Treatment

For many years, surgery has long been the most common treatment option available for varicose veins.

In recent years, EVLA has been touted as the preferable solution. EVLA stands for Endovenous Laser Ablation and is a treatment which uses laser to heat and damage difficult varicose veins so that they are destroyed. It is also known as EVLT – Endovenous Laser Treatment.

Now a new research study is showing just how much better EVLA is for treating varicose veins.

A group of 214 patients were studied. 61 underwent surgery, 73 underwent EVLA and 72 had sclerotherapy.

97% of patients experienced complete absence of varicose veins within one year of treatment with both EVLA and conventional surgery. Only 51% of foam sclerotherapy patients had no return of varicose veins in the same time frame.

EVLA vs Surgery

While the outcome of surgery was found in this study to be comparable with EVLA, the experience of having laser treatment is much more pleasant. EVLA is carried out on a day case basis and uses local anaesthetic. Recovery is very quick and patients are able to walk unaided to return home. There is no need for an overnight stay and patients can return to normal activities much faster.

EVLA vs Foam Sclerotherapy

Foam sclerotherapy is a technique where a chemical is mixed with air to make foam that is then injected into a varicose vein. This technique can be used for treating smaller varicose veins, but for treating large varicose veins, foam sclerotherapy is not as effective as EVLA. So while the non-invasive nature of foam sclerotherapy and lower cost can look attractive, results point to EVLA as a better option for most, especially for larger veins.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private varicose vein treatment and see many patients who have been refused treatment on the NHS.

Their London Vein Treatment Centre offers EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein).

They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

Thread veins can be treated with sclerotherapy injections, micro cautery laser or Nd:Yag laser.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

New Treatment for DVT with NASA Technology

Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT is a condition in which a blood clot in a vein causes dangerous swelling, usually in the leg.

It is potentially life-threatening as the clot can break apart and travel to the lung, causing pulmonary embolism.

However, for many patients, it is not a one-off emergency but a chronic condition which causes pain and discomfort for many years.

Treatment until now has been medication (blood-thinning drugs) or compression hosiery to prevent further clots or complications.

New DVT Treatment

Now scientists are working on a clinical trial of a new surgical technique which involves placing special stents in the vein to keep it open wider. The stents are made from titanium/nickel compound which was developed by NASA for the space programme.

Professor Toby Richards, who is leading the London branch of the study, said the results so far have been remarkable.

“Two thirds of the participants so far have been able to go back to work. From being pretty much housebound, that is a major achievement.”

“These are often young people, with their lifetimes ahead of them. We can give them all that back. Until now there has been pretty much no options for people with DVT. Potentially there are thousands of people out there who could benefit.”

More trials will be needed to prove the cost-effectiveness of the stents, which at £2,500 each, are expensive. However, the results do offer hope for those who are struggling with the day to day consequences of DVT and unable to enjoy normal activities.

Varicose & Thread Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private varicose vein treatment and see many patients who have been refused treatment on the NHS.

Their London Vein Treatment Centre offers EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein).

They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

Thread veins can be treated with sclerotherapy injections, micro cautery laser or Nd:Yag laser.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

EVLA Laser Varicose Vein Removal Video

EVLA is a highly effective treatment for varicose veins which many people still haven’t heard of. 

Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centre has produced a new video which follows the process from consultation and scan through to a live demonstration of varicose vein removal using Endovenous Laser Ablation surgery.

The video follows a patient’s journey from consultation and scan through the procedure to leaving the clinic. It also features before and after pictures illustrating the results.

Cosmedics’ Medical Director Dr Ross Perry explained:

‘…it involves the laser being passed along the inside of the veins to seal them off completely. It is absolutely painless.

‘After a short rest following the treatment, you will be able to simply walk out and resume your normal daily activities.’

The patient added:

‘So happy, the pain is gone’

 

EVLA Varicose Vein Treatment Video

EVLA Facts:

  • 95%+ success rate for permanent removal of varicose leg veins
  • Patients can walk in and walk out on the same day as the procedure – no overnight stay
  • Prices start from £1,650 per leg at Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centre
  • Consultation includes an on-site ultrasound scan for proper diagnosis
  • Treatment with experienced vascular surgeon

Varicose Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal at their London vein treatment centre with a renowned vascular surgeon. They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

The Guardian Explores Common Vein Problems

Everything you wanted to know about vein problems

(but were too busy pulling up your socks to ask)

A feature in The Guardian explores common vein problems – varicose veins and thread veins. 

The feature illustrates just how many Brits suffer from difficulties with the way their veins look and function

  • 15-20% develop visible varicose veins
    • An equivalent proportion may have hidden ones, which can cause achy legs, swelling ankles, discoloured skin
  • 84% get thread veins on our legs

The Guardian summarises the underlying problem very succinctly:

“Both conditions arise from the same basic issue: pressure in the vessels that return blood from the feet and legs back up to the heart.”

When the veins don’t close properly, some of the blood from the legs which should be pushed back towards the heart can come back down, enlarging the vein wall and resulting in thread veins or varicose veins. The swelling of the vein makes it more visible at the skin’s surface. What’s more, the enlarged veins tend to become even less efficient as a result, so the problem can continue to get worse.

Are Vein Problems a Medical Concern?

The Guardian article states:

“Thread veins are largely a cosmetic issue, but ignoring varicose veins can cause problems.

“For instance, an estimated 3-6% of people with varicose veins will develop leg ulcers – painful sores that can take months to heal – at some point.

“And a greater proportion of people may develop less serious symptoms, such as skin damage, or swollen ankles.”

Read more in The Guardian.

Treatment is available on the NHS, but tends to be reserved for those with varicose veins serious complications, such as sores, ulcers and difficulty sleeping.

Varicose & Thread Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private varicose vein treatment and see many patients who have been refused treatment on the NHS.

Their London Vein Treatment Centre offers EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein).

They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

Thread veins can be treated with sclerotherapy injections, micro cautery laser or Nd:Yag laser.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

Report Predicts Varicose Vein Treatment Growth

New Market Research

New market research information from the USA shows projected growth of the market reaching a global value of $475 million by 2024.

The growth is being driven by a series of key factors:

  1. Availability of non-invasive procedures for treating varicose veins i.e. EVLA or injections
  2. Demand for less-invasive procedures
  3. Increase in vascular diseases, linked to the ageing population and rise in obesity
  4. Ageing populations
  5. Growth in healthcare expenditure

Treatment Options

The report summary says:

“The endovenous ablation segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment due to the benefits of short treatment time and improved blood circulation after the procedure.”

The published report summary says:

“In 2015, the endovenous chemoablation or chemical sclerosis segment was the most widely used medical procedure among the ablation procedures.”

Procedures such as sclerotherapy for thread veins and foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins are based on injecting specially formulated chemicals into the troublesome veins. The chemicals work to destroy the vein so that blood flows elsewhere.

Laser Varicose Vein Treatment

General marketplace indications are that new laser vein treatments will be seen as highly appealing. They are non-invasive procedures, but offer excellent outcomes with minimal discomfort and recovery implications.

The gold-standard treatment is EVLA – endovenous laser ablation.

Private treatment is available at clinics such as Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centre, a company who has seen dramatic increase in interest for the advanced varicose vein treatment procedure.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private varicose vein treatment and see many patients who have been refused treatment on the NHS.

Their London Vein Treatment Centre offers EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein).

They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

NHS Varicose Vein Treatment Grades

NHS Varicose Vein Treatment

Years ago, varicose veins could be treated on the NHS for a great many patients. Nowadays, the grading criteria have been set so that far fewer people qualify for treatment. 

If you are exploring the NHS option for varicose vein treatment, it helps to understand the criteria.

NHS Varicose Vein Grading System

Doctors and medical professionals in the NHS grade varicose vein severity on a scoring system of 1 to 6. 1 is the most minor grade of varicose veins which are generally cosmetic and 6 the most severe, which cause skin ulceration.

  1. Grade 1
    Essentially tiny thread veins and mainly cosmetic.
    Most commonly seen on ladies with fair skin, where they are more visible.
    Not treated on NHS
  2. Grade 2
    Isolated varicose veins – quite small with some minor swelling.
    Also mainly considered cosmetic and therefore not treated on NHS
  3. Grade 3
    Larger bulging/bulky varicose veins that are being filled from a leaky vein deeper inside the leg that can’t be seen with the naked eye.
    Patient will report pain and discomfort including aching, throbbing, leg swelling and soreness; especially on standing for long periods.
    In the past, the NHS would treat grade 3 veins surgically, but now patients are not eligible for treatment. They are will be advised to use compression stockings instead.
  4. Grade 4
    These are established varicose veins with  complications such as phlebitis (vein is inflamed, hard and lumpy) or venous eczema where the skin at the ankle becomes dry and itchy.
    Should be treated on the NHS
  5. Grade 5
    Varicose veins with severe skin damage to the skin at the ankle which becomes discoloured with a brown pigment.
    Should be treated on the NHS
  6. Grade 6
    Varicose veins are a venous ulcer. This is very painful and hard to heal.
    Should be treated on the NHS

While the NHS can be expected to treat varicose veins at levels 4-6, the patient will have often suffered with many years discomfort and inconvenience before finally reaching the qualification criteria.

That’s why many patients prefer to have their varicose veins treated privately, to avoid them getting worse.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private varicose vein treatment and see many patients who have been refused treatment on the NHS.

Their London Vein Treatment Centre offers EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein).

They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

 

The Mirror Reveals Varicose Vein Laser Treatment

“If you suffer from varicose veins a new form of laser treatment could really help”

A feature in The Mirror reveals the latest laser treatment for varicose veins. 

The problem of varicose veins is explained very simply:

“In healthy veins, blood flows back to the heart and is prevented from flowing backwards by tiny valves which hold up that column of blood and prevent it pooling in the feet.

“If these valves weaken or are damaged, the blood can flow backwards and collect in the vein, which eventually swells and then finally bulges under strain.

“That weakness of the valves in veins is ­probably genetic and if your mother or grandmother has them, then you are likely to get them too.

“Scans can discover how and where there are leaky valves but you can’t mend that weak valve, so you have to take away the vein that’s causing the problem.”

Traditional Varicose Vein Treatments

The Mirror reviews the traditional surgical treatment for varicose veins – ‘vein stripping’ – which was carried out under general anaesthetic. This was quite an invasive technique, requiring significant recovery.

Laser Varicose Vein Treatment

By comparison, the laser solution is very much easier, as the article explains:

“The modern way, thank goodness, is much kinder and less invasive.

“The vein is heated up with a laser so that it shrivels down to a fibrous cord.”

This procedure is carried out using only local anaesthetic. There is no surgical incision, the laser is inserted through a needle puncture. There is no overnight stay and patients can walk out of the clinic and there is no need to take time off work for recovery either.

Sadly, this solution has very limited availability on the NHS, generally limited to patients experiencing issues such as severe discomfort, ulceration and bleeding. However, private treatment is available at clinics such as Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centre.

Read more in The Mirror.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private varicose vein treatment and see many patients who have been refused treatment on the NHS.

Their London Vein Treatment Centre offers EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein).

They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

Varicose Vein Treatment for Men

Varicose veins are generally thought to affect more women than men – although some consider that discrepancy is more due to women being more likely to seek treatment for the condition. 

However, experts have noticed an increase in male patients looking to get rid of the unsightly swollen and enlarged blue/purple veins on the legs.

The trend is attributed to a more ‘body-conscious’ generation who wish to look younger and healthier for longer.

A feature in the Telegraph earlier this year commented:

“Body-conscious men wanting to avoid “grandpa legs” are driving up demand for operations to remove varicose veins.”

One varicose vein treatment centre noted a 30% increase in demand from male patients for varicose vein removal treatment.

NHS Varicose Veins

The Telegraph notes that now relatively few people will qualify for free NHS treatment, stating:

“More than 15 million people in the UK are affected, but the NHS rarely gets involved with treatment except in critical circumstances.

“The majority of people opt for private procedures, which has led to a boom in the number of clinics offering to remove them.”

Varicose Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private varicose vein treatment and see many patients both male and female in their day-case clinic in London.

The London Vein Treatment Centre offers EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein). There is no need for an overnight stay and clients can return home same day, making it a very convenient option. Recovery is quick compared to traditional ‘vein stripping’ surgery..

Cosmedics also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.