Varicose Veins Scan for Diagnosis

Varicose veins in the Mirror

Mirror.co.uk featured varicose veins in their online health section, in a feature entitled “What causes varicose veins and how do you treat them? Everything you need to know”.

The feature asked the question ‘Why do my veins keep coming back?‘ and this raised the important issue of having proper diagnosis, which entails a thorough scan of the veins.

Their Beauty Editor explained:

“If your varicose veins have come back, chances are you’re not a lost cause, you’ve simply had poor treatment so far. I have a friend whose varicose veins have now come back four times, after both NHS and private treatment involving both laser and stripping.

“It’s only now she’s had a proper scan (unlike the cursory five-minute one before her last, pricey private laser op) and found out exactly why she’s not been fixed.

“The scan picked up a bunch of hidden varicose veins, including one from the pelvis, that hadn’t even been touched in the past. One vein had been treated, but only about a third of it had been lasered away, leaving a huge chunk behind so the problem was always going to recur.

See full article at www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/what-causes-varicose-veins-how

Varicose Vein Scan

Having a thorough scan is the only way to see what’s going on beneath the surface of the skin and can reveal much more than an examination of the visible veins. Sometimes you can’t even see the varicose veins on the surface of the skin, but a scan can reveal problems that the naked eye cannot see.

At Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centre, the consultant consultant vascular surgeon carries out an ultrasound scan in order to make proper diagnosis of the veins.

The price of the ultrasound scan is included in the consultation fee and the fact that it is carried out on site by the surgeon himself makes it a very efficient process, allowing for full exploration of the condition. Having a scan also enables a fully informed discussion about what treatment would be most appropriate.

Laser Varicose Vein Removal 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 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 Veins Increase Risk of DVT

dvt varicose veinsVaricose veins are known to be linked to an increased risk of developing DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis).

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a medical condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein. It is also known as venous thrombosis. DVT usually occurs in the legs which is why there is a link to varicose veins, as the blood flow is already impaired in varicose veins.

Anybody suffering from Varicose Veins is therefore advised to be aware of and more alert for the signs of DVT, which is potentially fatal.

Symptoms of DVT

  • pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs (usually the lower leg/calf area)
  • heavy ache feeling
  • warm/red skin in the area of the clot

Pulmonary Embolism

If left untreated, about 1 in 10 will develop pulmonary embolism, which is where the clot breaks off into the bloodstream and blocks one of the vessels in the lungs, causing breathlessness and chest pain.

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 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 Veins Explanation Video

Varicose Veins can be a difficult issue to understand. The NHS produced a video Varicose Veins in 2010.

This video is an excellent illustration and description of the problem and is still widely watched and used, most recently being shared on the Daily Mail website.

Varicose Veins Video

Varicose Veins Explanation

The commentary on the video introduces the condition:

“Varicose veins are swollen veins that appear lumpy and blue through the skin.

“Any vein in your body can become varicose, but the veins in your legs, particularly the calf, are most commonly affected.

“Varicose veins are a common condition, affecting both men and women.”

What Causes Varicose Veins?

“Blood travels around your body through blood vessels. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body and veins return blood to the heart.

“When your leg muscles move, they squeeze the leg veins and help push the blood upwards to your heart.

“Inside the large veins of your body are one-way valves, which stop blood flowing backwards in the wrong direction. In varicose veins, the walls of the vein stretch and become less flexible, which weakens the valve and stops them working properly. Blood then leaks backwards and builds up in the vein, causing it to swell.”

NHS Varicose Vein Removal

NHS varicose vein removal is now limited. As their website states:

Varicose veins don’t always need treatment. If your varicose veins are not causing you discomfort, you may not need to have treatment.

The NHS still uses traditional vein stripping for many patients – a treatment which has a failure rate of around 50%.

Where varicose vein removal is classed as cosmetic, then the NHS rarely cover it and private treatment would be required.

Private Varicose Vein Treatment

Modern varicose vein surgery is provided in private clinics on a day case basis and uses advanced laser treatment which has a 95%+ success rate. There is no general anaesthetic, no hospital stay and patients can walk out of the clinic with the varicose veins gone.

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 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 Market to Grow

A new report by reportsnreports says that the the varicose vein treatment market is set to grow by 6.9% to 2021 in North America and Europe.

The growth will see the value of the varicose vein treatment market reach an estimated $289.7 million by 2021 from $207.9 million in 2016 with North America holding the dominant share while Europe shows the higher rate of growth.

The PRNewswire press release states:

“Market growth is majorly driven by the shift towards less-invasive treatment procedures, availability of advanced varicose vein treatment devices, huge burden of varicose vein cases in North America and Europe, improving patient compliance & reliability, growing healthcare expenditure, and rapid growth in aging population.”

The ‘less invasive procedures’ and ‘availability of advanced varicose vein treatment’ probably refers to EVLA (endovenous laser ablation), also known as laser varicose vein removal.  This innovative procedure works to damge the varicose veins using laser heat so that the vein is destroyed and blood simply flows through alternative veins instead.

This procedure offers excellent outcomes with a 95% success rate of and is a day case procedure, making it very easy to fit into other commitments. There is no need for an overnight hospital stay and patients can walk out of the clinic after the procedure. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, which is far safer than general anaesthetic and has less unpleasant side effects, risks and complications.

Varicose Vein Removal London

The London vein treatment centre offers EVLA with a renowned 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.

Increase Mobility for Healthy Leg Veins

The best way to avoid poor circulation is to combat the symptoms before they occur and one of the most important ways of improving circulation in the legs is to ensure that you stay active.

Staying seated or standing upright for many hours each day heightens the risk of vein problems developing; but moderate exercise can help train your circulatory system to be more efficient, so moving and exercising the body is crucial to ensuring good blood circulation, especially in the lower limbs.

Mobility Tips to Improve Leg Circulation

  • Don’t sit or stand for too long – develop an awareness that you need to move regularly
  • Try to walk around once an hour – even a short walk to another room and back is better than not moving at all
  • Build in a 30 minute walk outdoors into your daily routine – either after breakfast, at lunch or in the evening
  • More vigorous exercise, such as running or brisk swimming/cycling will boost the circulation more
  • Do seated exercises such as ankle rotations and pointing/flexing feet and toes
  • If there are medical problems preventing you from being active, then seek advice from a GP

Vein Removal Treatments

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal at their London vein treatment centre with a renowned 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.

Trained doctors offer thread vein removal at a selection of clinics based in London using the latest techniques.

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

Seasonal Surge for Thread Vein Sclerotherapy

The recent warm weather has seen Brits ditch the jeans and reach for their shorts as temperatures remained steadily in the 20’s. 

However, the idea of bare legs isn’t always appealing, particularly for those who suffer from unsightly leg thread veins.

Thread Veins

‘Thread veins’ are defined as:

“a very slender vein, especially one on the face that is visible through the skin”

They can be tiny blood vessels, fine veins or capillaries which can be seen on the surface of the skin and are usually red or purple or blue tones.

Medical Risks of Thread Veins

The good news is that thread veins on the legs are not considered to be a medical problem. They are small veins and are not essential to blood supply. However, they are embarrassing for those who have them and this is particularly the case in the summer with warmer weather and holidays ahead. Some people even wear trousers or long skirts all season to hide them.

Sclerotherapy Injections

Sclerotherapy is a treatment which gets rid of thread veins on the legs or thighs.

A special injection is delivered into the vein where it damages the structure of the vessel and destroys its ability to carry blood. The vein will then disappear and blood will simply flow elsewhere, leaving the skin appearing clearer.

Thread Vein Treatment London

Sclerotherapy treatment is available at Cosmedics Skin Clinics based in London.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Established in 2003, Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer thread vein removal at a selection of clinics based in London using the latest techniques with GMC-registered doctors and surgeons.

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

More Men For Varicose Vein Treatment

An article in The Telegraph this year has stated that increasing numbers of men are seeking treatment for varicose veins. 

The growth is attributed to men becoming more ‘body-conscious’ and wanting to look good in shorts or swimming trunks.

The Telegraph says:

“Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that are blue or dark purple in colour, and usually occur on the legs. Both women and men are affected in equal numbers, although traditionally it has been women that have sought treatment.

“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.”

This article follows statistics earlier in 2016 from BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) which showed a 13.5% increase in men having cosmetic and plastic surgery compared to a 12% increase for women. Although men still make up the smaller numbers, the trends show that they are increasing at a faster rate.

Varicose Vein Removal

Modern varicose vein surgery is provided in private clinics on a day case basis using a process called EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal. This offers excellent outcomes and is a day case procedure. There is no general anaesthetic, no hospital stay and patients can walk out of the clinic with the varicose veins gone.

The London vein treatment centre offers EVLA with a renowned 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.

Don’t Let Thread Veins Spoil Your Photos

Selfies have been blamed for an increased awareness of thread veins – those red and wiggly lines which can appear on the face. Also sometimes referred to as spider veins. 

The selfie has a lot to answer for and experts have previously stated that the increase in selfies seems to have led to an increase in under 40s seeking attention for thread veins.

They are not considered to be of any medical harm but for those that have them, they can be a real cause for aesthetic concern. They are difficult to mask with makeup and it can be hard to know how to try and get rid of them.

Selfies and Thread Vein Awareness

More and more people of all ages are regularly taking pictures of themselves in a variety of settings and this means greater self-consciousness when it comes to appearance. The advent of high definition cameras and craze for selfies means that people are taking far more photos of themselves than before and facing online scrutiny of their ‘connections. They’re becoming far more familiar with facial features that they might not have previously noticed to the same degree. The concept of the no-makeup selfie makes it impossible to hide any issues.

Treatment for Facial Thread Veins

Although treatment on the NHS is unlikely (as facial veins are classed as cosmetic, an area receiving very little funding); facial thread veins can now be quickly and effectively treated using microcautery techniques, laser thread vein or microsclerotherapy injection treatments.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Established in 2003, Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer thread vein removal at a selection of clinics based in London  using the latest techniques with GMC-registered doctors and surgeons.

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

Thread vs Varicose Veins Difference

Both thread veins and varicose veins are relatively common conditions. But what’s the difference between the two? Here are a few factors

Thread Veins

Varicose Veins
Smaller veins or capillaries Large and twisted blood vessels
Can be a group of veins, looking like spider web Tends to be fewer but larger
Red or bluish colour Blue/purplish colour
Not considered a medical issue Can cause discomfort, pain, itching, skin conditions and more
Can appear on the face or body (most common on the legs) Appear on the legs
Lack of skin and vein elasticity causes the veins to become  more visible through the skin Malfunctioning valves cause blood to back up and distort the vein

Vein Removal Treatments

q and aCosmedics Skin Clinics offer private EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal at their London vein treatment centre with a renowned 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.

Trained doctors offer thread vein removal at a selection of clinics based in London using the latest techniques.

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

Invisible Varicose Veins

Varicose Veins Are Not Always Visible

One of the common misconceptions about varicose veins is that if you can’t see them, then you don’t have them.

Certainly the characteristic look for varicose veins is swollen and twisted blue/purplish veins which you can even see through tights.

Actually, for some patients, varicose veins can be hidden beneath the skin where they can’t been seen.

It very much depends on the individual’s physiology. Patients who have a lot of fatty tissue between the muscle and skin may not see them so clearly if at all. Sometimes the veins visible at the skin’s surface are the tip of the iceberg. There could be a lot more going on beneath, which is why it is worth having any worrying signs investigated.

How they look isn’t the only concern.  Other symptoms of varicose veins can include a heaviness or discomfort in the legs.

Varicose veins tends to be a progressive condition, which means that once it has started, it tends to get worse over time.

Earlier treatment is generally advised for best results. It means that the veins can be treated before they’ve got too bad, making varicose vein removal often an easier and potentially a less expensive process.

Varicose Vein Removal

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal at their London vein treatment centre with a renowned vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein). There is no general anaesthetic, no hospital stay and patients can walk out of the clinic with the varicose veins gone.

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.