Jun 18, 2008 7:24 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Varicose Veins Become More Treatable
Improved Measures Versus Discomfort Of Bulging Veins
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
You've seen them - those unattractive, bulging varicose veins - and they can be tough to get rid of.
But a new treatment is curing the veins and getting patients back on their feet faster.
Varicose veins are painful, unsightly and common. They affect 15 percent of men and 25 percent of women. Unfortunately, heredity is mostly to blame, but extended standing can make the problem worse. Dr. Phillips tells us that although varicose veins may not yet be preventable, treatment has never been easier.
Betty Ezekiel has suffered from painful varicose veins for decades.
"It's very uncomfortable," said Ezekiel.
20 years ago, she had a traditional "vein stripping" procedure, but the veins came back.
"They look almost as bad as they did then," said Ezekiel.
That's why she decided to undergo a new and less invasive procedure called "closure fast."
Doctors make a tiny incision just below the knee and thread a catheter into the saphenous vein. At the tip of the catheter is a coil of wire that emits radio waves to create heat. When heated, the vein closes up, stopping blood flow to the varicose veins.
Because the method treats the underlying cause of varicose veins, doctors say it's highly unlikely they'll ever come back. The procedure takes just a few minutes and there's little down time.
"With this new procedure, on average, most of my patients only need a day or two to recover, they can walk immediately after the procedure," said Dr. Palma Shaw of the Boston Medical Center.
"Closure fast" is intended for patients who suffer pain from their varicose veins and is generally covered by insurance. Two weeks after the procedure, Ezekiel says it's made a big difference.
"Now they're really flat. The appearance is much better," said Ezekiel.
Not only do they look better, but the pain she once felt is gone.
Other treatments for varicose veins include exercise, losing weight and elevating your legs whenever possible. Studies are ongoing about the effectiveness of "chestnut seed extract" as a natural remedy.
So far, results have been promising.
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