Enlarged, twisted veins with dark coloration are an unfortunate blemish that many people deal with. This common condition is called varicose veins. The good news is that there are steps you can take to treat these unsightly veins. The team at North Texas Fibroids are proud to offer a new treatment called radiofrequency ablation that will improve your circulation and diminish the appearance of varicose veins.
Also known as RFA, this highly-effective treatment improves the health of your veins and gives you a higher level of comfort. This process uses ultrasound to detect problem veins underneath your skin, and then uses radiofrequency energy to remedy them. These two technologies make for a fast, pain-free, and efficient way to deal with your varicose veins. Read on for more information about how this revolutionary treatment works.
How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment Work?
Although the name of this treatment may make it sound complex and confusing, there’s no need to be intimidated. The actual fact is that RFA is actually quite simple, fast, and efficient. The basic principle behind the treatment is using energy waves to eliminate damaged veins, which then helps more blood flow go to healthy ones. RFA therapy is minimally-invasive and has lasting benefits for the appearance of varicose veins.
First Steps in Treatment
To start the treatment process, a small tube is inserted into the vein that will be targeted by your doctor. A catheter is then used to cover this tube. To help your body collapse the vein, radiofrequency waves are applied to heat up the targeted area.
How Long Will Treatment and Recovery Take?
From beginning to end, this treatment can typically be completed in under an hour. You’ll be able to get back most of your day-to-day routine right away. The improvements to your appearance will be noticeable within only a few days. In most patients’ cases, the full extent of the results takes just a few weeks to appear.
What Are Varicose Veins?
You may be wondering how veins become discolored and visible to begin with. Are they dangerous to your health, and are they something you simply have to learn to live with? Here is some more information about this common condition:
An Issue Many People Face
You may be surprised to learn that over 25% of all adults report having some visible veins, usually around the legs or ankles. In fact, as many as 40 million Americans are afflicted with unhealthy veins. Anyone can develop this condition, though it is slightly more common in women than in men.
How Do Vericose Veins Look and Feel?
The defining sign of varicose veins are their dark and tangled appearance. Their intricate, rope-like patterns have given them the nickname spider veins. They may appear raised above the rest of your skin, and often appear blue or purple in color. Left untreated, this causes your legs to show an uneven appearance and texture. Sometimes these veins are painless, but they may cause some patients discomfort as well. You may notice aching, itching, or swelling associated with this condition. Rashes and skin sores can also result from untreated varicose veins.
Problems That Come from Interrupted Blood Flow
Ideally, your blood is thoroughly oxygenated as it flows from one part of your body to another. Your healthy veins remain unnoticeable as they carry oxygen around your body. However, when a healthy vein stops working properly, varicose veins can begin to show themselves. This is a sign that blood is being trapped and pooling inside the unhealthy veins in its course of flowing to other parts of your body.
How Do Veins Become Damaged?
So how does this issue occur, or how do veins stop functioning properly in the first place? The first step to understanding this issue is understanding the basics of how veins work. Every vein has a small ‘door’ inside of it that can only open in one set direction. These passageways between veins are what makes circulation and blood flow possible.
Blood becomes trapped in your veins when these ‘doors’ become damaged over time. Though your body is often able to heal itself in other ways, these passageways between veins cannot be repaired on their own. That means that instead of going away as time passes, varicose veins tend to stubbornly remain or even grow worse over time.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Since this issue is so common, you may wonder what causes so many people to struggle with varicose veins. In most cases, force and pressure on the veins over time are what causes the damage that leads to varicose veins. A number of factors cause this pressure, including but not limited to:
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Spending long periods of time standing up
- Age, particularly if you are over 50
- Weight gain
- Hereditary factors
Should You Seek Treatment?
Although varicose veins are not a life-threatening condition, they can lead to discomfort and often grow worse over time. Being proactive and seeking treatment before the problem worsens is often the best course of action. Anyone who wants to improve the health of their veins can benefit from the non-invasive solution radiofrequency ablation provides. You’ll improve your circulation, have more confidence in your appearance, and be able to go about your life more comfortably once you’ve had RFA.
Advantages of Radiofrequency Over Other Treatments
Several treatment methods are available to alleviate varicose veins. Some of these options are surgical, whereas others use laser energy to treat the veins. The secret to this treatment’s success is the radiofrequency energy it uses to gently heat up damaged veins, assisting your body with naturally eliminating them. This makes it one of the most effective and least invasive treatments for varicose veins. You won’t face any need for hospitalization following this gentle treatment. Only hours after your treatment is complete, you’ll be able to go back home.
What Benefits Will I Enjoy After RFA?
You’ll feel more comfortable and your veins will be more healthy after undergoing RFA. Here are more details on the benefits you’ll experience:
Healthier-Looking Veins
The dark color of varicose veins makes them a noticeable blemish on your appearance. These dark spots can lead to you being less confident in the way you look. RFA can significantly reduce the appearance of these veins to restore your confidence again.
Better Circulation
Along with aesthetic improvements, RFA is also beneficial to your health. As discussed earlier, varicose veins become visible when blood is trapped inside of a vein. If blood isn’t being circulated, it does not receive enough oxygen, creating the dark color associated with this condition. Your body has no means of resolving this issue without assistance. You’ll improve your circulation when RFA helps to release blood that is trapped in your veins, leading to healthier blood flow.
Enjoy More Comfortable Living
Many of the unpleasant effects of dealing with varicose veins will begin to improve as your circulation gets better. Any swelling, aching, or itching in the affected area will begin to diminish over time. Any raised skin caused by the broken veins will begin to normalize following treatment as well.
Very Little Prep Time
Our experts will tell you everything you need to know about getting ready for this treatment prior to your appointment. In most cases, you’ll want to stop eating and drinking 6 hours before receiving treatment. Take only a small sip of water if you need to swallow any medicine in the meantime. You might also be advised to cease taking certain medications prior to treatment. A shower with antibacterial soap is another key preparation for the treatment.
Choose loose, comfortable clothes to wear when preparing to head out for your RFA appointment. You should also avoid wearing any jewelry to your appointment. Make arrangements to have somebody drive you home from our office, as well.
Fast Results
Typically, it only takes less than an hour to complete this treatment. That makes it a convenient choice for anybody looking to deal with varicose veins who doesn’t have a lot of time to spare in their busy schedule.
Use Radiofrequency Ablation To Improve Your Circulation
If you want a fast, minimally-invasive treatment that has proven results in treating varicose veins, radiofrequency ablation may be the answer you’re looking for. Even stubborn veins that resist other treatments will diminish with this treatment. Best of all, you’ll be back to your normal life in just a few hours. Contact North Texas Fibroids in Dallas, TX today to learn more about this revolutionary treatment for varicose veins!
