Getting Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins? Read This First!

If you have varicose veins and have decided to get them removed through the painless and minimally invasive endovenous laser ablation treatment procedure, it is best to know the preparations that you must do before undergoing the procedure and the steps that you must follow after the treatment process as well.

In this blog, we will recommend the best practices that will help you get optimal results from the varicose vein painless laser treatment and also share post-treatment protocols that will not only assist in faster recovery but also ensure the least chances of varicose vein recurrence. Stay with us till the end.

Preparations before the Treatment

During the physical examination in your consultation visit, if the vein specialist suspects that you have varicose veins, he/she will recommend a few examination checks to confirm the presence of varicose veins and check for their exact count and precise location.

The doctor will also ask for your medical history and check if you consume any blood thinners which will probably have to be stopped a few days before the laser treatment of varicose veins.

Before the endovenous laser treatment process, you must be hydrated so it is a good idea to drink plenty of fluids especially water. It is advised that you wear loose-fitting clothes to the hospital on the day of the procedure and carry your compression stockings along.

After the preliminary examination, the vein specialist will use injection for local anaesthesia in the affected area. You will remain awake during the procedure but not feel any pain or discomfort in the area that is being treated. As it might be a little tough for you to drive back home, it is advised to bring a companion (friend or relative) along.

Post-Treatment Care Instructions

Your vein specialist will explain all after-treatment guidelines to you in detail. Below is a summary of the post-laser surgery precautions:

  1. Monitor the incision – A few of you may experience minor bleeding and bruising from the incision. If you notice blood stains on the bandages, raise your legs and apply pressure on the incision. If this does not stop the excessive bleeding, contact your doctor.

    If you also witness minor swelling, apply ice on the incision for 15 minutes. A painkiller may be taken to reduce the discomfort. You may wash the incision with soap and water. Never use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol to clean the wound.

  2. Avoid strenuous activities – Do not lift heavy weights or perform any strenuous exercise for at least two weeks from the date of the laser treatment. You may go out for a brisk walk, 20 minute every day is good to ensure proper blood flow and fast-track the healing process.
  3. Take showers – Instead of soaking your legs in hot water, take showers in the first week after the treatment procedure. The water that you bathe with must only be warm and not hot.
  4. Do not sit or stand for long durations – Although you can do your everyday chores, join office, and get back to work soon after your laser surgery, you must avoid sitting or standing for long durations at a stretch. Moving around at frequent intervals aids in improving blood flow.
  5. Wear compression stockings – Compression stockings are support stockings that put additional pressure on the leg veins and thus promote blood flow back to the heart. You must wear compression stockings continuously for at least three days after the laser treatment or as recommended by your vein expert.
  6. Do not miss follow-up appointments – You must never miss your follow-up appointments with your vein specialist. He/She may call you over for ultrasounds checks to monitor the healing progress and to review your medications in a few days after the procedure, ensure to get your check-ups done in a timely manner.

Conclusion

Laser treatment is a quick procedure that is 100% safe and offers a faster recovery rate. To be able to achieve excellent results, always follow the above tips and tricks. Do not forget to speak to your vein specialist for any other precautions that you must take before and after the laser surgery of varicose veins.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala is the best interventional radiologist in Hyderabad, India and is renowned for his whopping high success rate of endovenous laser ablation procedures on varicose veins patients. In his more than two decades of medical practice as a vascular surgeon, he has completed over 12000 laser procedures. His patients are happy with his professionalism and totally satisfied with his unmatched medical assistance.

At Avis Vascular Centre, Dr. Rajah V Koppala and his team of vein specialists employ only the USFDA approved treatment procedures of laser treatment and follow all protocols of the American College of Phlebology. Dr. Rajah V Koppala and his team prioritize patient health and focus primarily on their satisfaction. They ensure the highest levels of comfort for patients of all age groups and have made special provisions for non-local patients with round-the-clock assistance for Mediclaim approvals from all leading national insurance agencies.

If you are worried about those swollen and enlarged veins that are visible to be bulging out from the skin surface and experience immense pain and discomfort from them, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Vascular Centre. We begin with a physical examination along with ultrasound scans to know if you will benefit from the laser treatment. For a thorough analysis and best-in-class laser treatment, book your consultation today!

Do Varicose Veins Indicated Heart Problems?

Needless to say, varicose veins are cosmetic displeasure. But are these thick and twisted veins also a sign of deeper trouble?

Varicose veins are not only unsightly and uncomforting but also a bit scary. It is not unusual for you to wonder if these swollen and enlarged veins are the cause of a potential cardiac disorder.

In this blog, let us understand if varicose veins have any effect on the heart and the cardiovascular system.

Varicose Veins and Heart Disease

Our bodies have two types of blood vessels – arteries and veins. The arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all other body parts. The veins are responsible for bringing used and de-oxygenated blood back to the heart from all different body organs.

Varicose veins are those damaged veins whose valves do not function as desired and prevent blood from flowing back to the heart. This is a venous disorder and indicates blood flow problems in the veins.

Cardiac disorders are related to the arterial system and not the venous system. Thus, even though the presence of varicose veins signals towards an unhealthy blood circulation, it does not necessarily point towards heart disease.

Varicose veins definitely put you at a higher risk of other venous complications but the development of varicose veins does neither cause nor indicate heart disease. In simple terms, there is no connection between varicose veins and a cardiac disorder. Having varicose veins does not at all increase the risk for a heart ailment.

However, in some cases, the vascular system can get affected by cardiac disease. A patient who has a heart ailment and has developed varicose veins is at a high probability of complaining of swelling in the legs and infection in the varicose veins affected area.

Varicose Veins Complications

For a majority of the people, varicose veins are only a cosmetic concern. Although varicose veins are not a potential risk for heart ailments, they do pose a serious risk to the overall health and well-being of the patient. Thus, it is extremely important to understand the medical conditions and complications related to varicose veins in order to prevent health loss in the long run.

As varicose veins prevent blood flow, there is excessive accumulation of blood in the affected area. This causes the veins to enlarge and leads to swelling which is usually accompanied by pain and a feeling of heaviness. Patients also complain of discomfort in the form of itching, a feeling of heaviness, and a constant sensation of throbbing.

This medical condition can worsen further and progress to other health issues in case of delay or lack of treatment. Blood pooling causes extreme pressure and can result in open sores known as active venous ulcers. Some patients can even develop blood clots in their deep veins (DVT i.e. Deep Vein Thrombosis) and chronic venous insufficiency.

In DVT, if the blood clot breaks free, it can travel to any body part like the heart, lungs, and others. A blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) can hinder oxygen supply to the vital body organs and even cause the untimely death of the patient. Thus, varicose veins must never be ignored as a mere cosmetic annoyance.

Conclusion

Even though varicose veins and heart diseases are not inter-related medical complications, both respond well to healthy lifestyle changes. In both these health conditions, patients have been known to benefit from eating a nutritional diet and having a daily exercise regime.

If you have varicose veins, you are also sure to experience relief from swelling and pain by raising your legs above the level of your heart while lying down. You must also speak to your vascular expert about the recommended usage of compression stockings that help improve the blood flow from the legs back to the heart.

However, if your varicose veins are causing extreme trouble, you must consider getting them removed or permanently closed through surgical procedures. In contrast to the open surgeries which were much painful and discomforting, these days the minimally invasive procedures have got popular due to their high success rate and faster healing.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala is a trained vascular interventional radiologist and an expert at performing the painless laser ablation treatment of varicose veins. He performs the laser ablation as an outpatient procedure and all varicose veins are treated in a single session. The patients can go back home on the same day and continue to perform their everyday activities from the very next day.

It is a painless, minimally invasive, scar-less, convenient, and safe treatment procedure for varicose veins. There is no need of general anaesthesia as doctors only use local anaesthesia in the affected area to make small incisions and check for the location of varicose veins through a live duplex ultrasound scan.

The heat from the laser fibre is used to close off and burn away the damaged veins which get reabsorbed in the body. The body also automatically re-routes the blood to neighbouring healthy veins. Patients get immediate relief from pain, swelling, and itching.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala is internationally qualified and ranked as the best vascular surgeon in South India. He ensures patient comfort and satisfaction at all times before, during, and even after the procedure. If you are looking for the best treatment of varicose veins, do not look elsewhere, schedule your appointment with Dr. Rajah V Koppala today!

Is Varicose Vein Treatment Permanent?

In India, over 10 million varicose vein cases are reported every year. Varicose vein medical ailment is estimated to affect the legs and feet of nearly 30% of the adult Indians.

Also, most obese people have a tendency to develop one or more varicose veins as they age. Based on verified statistics, women are known to be somewhat more probable of suffering from varicose veins as compared to their male counterparts.

What are Varicose Veins?

In the case of a healthy person, the valves of the veins make the used and de-oxygenated blood flow back to the heart from all body parts. These valves also prevent the blood from staying stagnant at one place or flowing backward in the undesired direction.

But for patients who complain of varicose veins, the valves of the affected veins get damaged and hence restrict the blood flow back to the heart. This disturbs the circulatory system and causes the blood to pool around the impaired veins.

Varicose veins are those swollen and enlarged veins that are often seen bulging out from the skin surface of the legs. These twisted veins are bluish-purple in colour and are truly an ugly sight. The varicose vein patients often complain of pain, itching, burning, and mild cramping in the affected area.

You should never ignore any visible signs of varicose veins. Although not a very serious disorder, varicose veins may not require immediate treatment but genuine medical aid is vital to prevent the condition from getting worse.

In some critical scenarios, the delays in treating the varicose veins can further lead to other several other acute health hazards like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) i.e. clots in the superficial veins, acute Venous Ulcers, and even Chronic Venous Insufficiency.

Why do Varicose Veins Re-appear?

By treating the varicose veins, patients not only get relief from the constant pain, and irritation, but also get rid of the unappealing sight of the varicose veins on their legs and feet.

The traditional treatment procedure of vein surgery, where the affected veins were stripped off, is definitely less efficient and has higher chances of making the varicose veins re-appear.

In the new era, with the invention of laser treatments for varicose veins, the swollen varicose veins are accurately identified with the help of the duplex ultrasound procedure and these are then permanently closed. This forces the body to re-route the blood to other neighbouring veins.

Although the advanced laser treatment massively reduces the chances of varicose veins coming back, it does not guarantee a permanent cure. In medical terms, varicose vein is a chronic ailment and the varicose veins may redevelop in the future for the patients who were successfully treated in the past.

A patient who has once had varicose veins always remains at high risk of redeveloping them. It is not usually the same vein, but different veins may get affected by the malfunctioning valves, thus causing the varicose veins to reoccur.

Some people are genetically more probable to develop varicose veins but all patients can reduce their chances of re-growing varicose veins by improving their lifestyle. Doing mild exercises every day, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a BMI (Body Mass Index) score under 25, is known to reduce the risk of varicose veins.

Also, you must avoid sitting or standing for long periods at a stretch as this can cause extreme pressure on your veins and breakdown the valves. In an unfortunate incidence of the varicose veins recurring for you, you can still get them eliminated by the painless endovenous laser treatment.

This laser treatment is minimally invasive and absolutely painless. It leaves no cuts or scar marks on the patient’s body and has quick recovery time. Except for a few critical cases, patients are generally discharged on the same day. They can go back home and resume their daily activities without any difficulties or outside support.

The endovenous laser treatment procedure has very little post-operative care and the patients can even undertake long flights without the fear of DVT or blood clots that may cause a medical emergency. To a few patients, the vascular surgeon may suggest the use of compression stockings for a few days after the laser treatment.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala, MD in Vascular Interventional Radiology, is a distinguished doctor offering his medical services at Avis Hospitals, Hyderabad. With over 24 years of experience and a record of treating 4000+ varicose vein patients every year, Dr. Rajah V Koppala is not only renowned but also trusted for his knowledge and medical practice.

Schedule your appointment for the medical check-up of your varicose veins and its painless endovenous laser treatment today from Dr. Rajah V Koppala today!

What is a good time to see a Vein Specialist?

Veins are the thin blood tubes that are located right underneath our skin. Spread throughout the body, the veins carry used and deoxygenated blood from the vital body organs, back to the heart. Most veins have valves that prevent backflow of the blood.

Healthy veins are essential to facilitate the proper functioning of the human body. Although most people believe that they will never have any vein related health issues, vein disorders like spider veins and varicose veins are quite common in both men and women who are over 50 years of age.

Vein diseases vary hugely in their signs and symptoms. Sometimes the vein disorders are silent and there are no visible signs, but in a few cases, a serious vein problem may cause severe pain, swelling, and discomfort in the affected body part.

When left untreated for a long period of time, vein health issues can even lead to life-threatening ailments like venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and active venous ulcers. Thus, it is essential to not ignore any symptoms and visit a vein healthcare practitioner if you notice either of the below symptoms:

  1. Prominently Visible Signs – For some patients, the vein disorders are visible even by the naked eye. In such medical cases, there are visible bulges on the skin that can even be felt on touch. The affected veins turn dark blue or purplish in colour, are clearly visible right under the skin, and the patient may complain of itching, irritated skin, soreness, and a heavy feeling.
  2. Acute Leg Pain – Although vein disorders may occur in any body part, they are most commonly found in the legs. Patients with vein health issues may suffer from extreme pain that is usually felt in the legs after they sit, stand or remain in the same position for an extended time duration. Patients may also suffer from severe pains after undertaking a long flight or when they remain seated for long by getting stuck in a heavy traffic jam.

  3. Severe Swelling in Legs – If you have swelling in both legs that usually disappears in the morning, there is nothing to worry about, as this swelling has no connection to your vein health. But if you feel that the swelling gets worse when you exert yourself and keep moving or remain seated in the same position for long, it most probably is the case of varicose veins and you must take an appointment with a vein expert for accurate treatment of the same.

  4. No Relief from Home Remedies – To a few patients with some early signs of vein disorders, the vein specialists may advice regular use of compressions stockings that aid in regulating blood flow back to the heart from the leg and foot veins. Such patients may also be asked to elevate their legs while sleeping. But, even after doing these home remedies, if there are no signs of improvements and the patient still has pains and discomfort, he/she must see a vein healthcare expert and discuss all symptoms.

The patients may feel constant restlessness in the body part affected with a vein disorder. Although the vein disease symptoms vary in intensity, the pain and discomfort may increase when the patient is exerted, thus negatively affecting the patient’s quality of life.

If you have any of the above symptoms, you must not delay seeing a vascular expert. But, if you are over 50 years of age and still have no visible signs of vein disease, as a precautionary step you must still get an appointment with a vein expert for a physical examination to rule out any possibility of a vein health issue.

If you are in and around Hyderabad and are looking for a vein specialist, book an appointment with the renowned vascular surgeon Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Hospitals. Dr. Rajah is highly educated and has 24 years of experience in successfully treating the most severe cases of vein disorders. Avis Hospitals is equipped with the latest medical technology and has an army of the most caring medical staff. For absolute relief from your vein discomfort, get in touch with Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Hospitals today!

4 Common Myths About Varicose Vein Treatment

There is an increasing number of varicose vein cases being reported every year. Although varicose veins have become relatively common in India, people are still unaware of the condition and its treatment process.

Most people also confuse spider veins with varicose veins but these two medical conditions are fairly different. In this internet era, patients often rely on Google and try to self-diagnose their diseases which is the leading cause of misconceptions.

Today, we are about to burst some of the most popular varicose vein myths in this informative post. Read till the very end to improve your varicose vein knowledge.

Myth #1 – Varicose vein treatment is a painful surgery

In ancient times, vein stripping was the only available treatment for varicose veins. In this process, the patient is sedated and the damaged veins are removed by a surgical process.

This process is highly invasive, truly painful, and leaves a huge cut on the patient’s body. It also has an extended recovery time and the patient generally continues to be in pain even after the surgery has been successfully completed.

With medical advancements, surgical procedures are now rarely recommended for only the critical cases where varicose veins lead to severe issues of venous disorders. There are new and minimally invasive procedures where laser fibre is used to cure the pain point.

The highly suggested cure of medical treatment, endovenous laser ablation is absolutely painless, performed with local anaesthesia, and the patients do not get any cuts or stitches on their body.

Myth #2 – Varicose veins come back after the treatment

The vein stripping procedure is not as effective and patients often complain of re-appearance of varicose veins after treatment. However, for the laser process, the affected vein is accurately identified with the Duplex Ultrasound Scan before being cured.

This special ultrasound helps the doctors to treat the problematic vein and close it permanently. This allows the body to re-route the blood from the damaged vein to other neighbouring healthy veins.

There are extremely low chances of the varicose veins coming back after the endovenous laser treatment. It surely has a quick recovery process and the patient in most cases can resume work and other daily activities almost immediately.

Myth #3 – Varicose veins need to be treated only for cosmetic reasons

Varicose veins are not only an unpleasant sight but also a painful condition that is accompanied by itching, insomnia, skin damage, blood clots and even bleeding ulcers. Thus, getting treated for varicose veins is not merely for a cosmetic purpose, it is most definitely to improve the patient’s overall health and quality of life.

Varicose veins, when left untreated for a longer duration can lead to serious health issues due to the blood that continues to remain pooled in the damaged veins. This can even lead to clots in the veins. It may further cause Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) that is the medical condition where a clot develops in the deep veins and may require immediate medical care.

In some severe cases, the patient may suffer from a more serious disease called the chronic venous insufficiency where the patient’s skin turns brown around the calf and ankle due to leakage of the pooled blood into the tissues of the lower legs. This further leads to ulcers which are even more harder to cure and difficult to heal.

Myth #4 – Varicose veins are not covered under insurance

In the few not-so-critical cases of spider veins, most insurance companies do not offer a Mediclaim cover. But for varicose vein patients who are suffering from swelling, itching, pain, and the condition is negatively affecting their lifestyle, they must not shy away from contacting their insurance agency to know more about the insurance coverage.

As varicose vein treatment is not merely a cosmetic correction treatment, insurance agencies generally have this covered in their policies. Today, laser vein ablation and radiofrequency ablation treatment are offered with a cashless plan by almost all leading insurance agencies of India.

If you have any signs of varicose veins or have been already been diagnosed with them, schedule an appointment with the renowned and trusted vascular surgeon Dr. Rajah V Koppala to get an estimate of the treatment required and its expenses. After this, you can consult your insurance agencies to cross-check about the offered insurance cover.

Avis Hospitals has the latest equipment and a professional team of doctors who offer the most reliable medical advice under the guidance of Dr. Rajah V Koppala. Schedule a consultation today!

5 Essential Things Need to Know About Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are truly bothersome. They are the enlarged and swollen veins that cause intense pain and constant irritation. Some varicose veins are internal while most of them are visible right under the skin.

Varicose veins are an unpleasant sight and cause extreme discomfort to a large number of patients. Occurring more frequently to women than men, varicose veins are formed when the vein valves get damaged over time and cause the blood to pool leaving the patients with a heavy feeling in the affected area.

Even though varicose veins is a common medical condition for the aged people, there is a total lack of awareness about its symptoms and treatment. Lets us burst the most common varicose vein myths below:

  1. Varicose veins are spider veins – Often times, varicose veins are considered to be spider veins and these two terms are used interchangeably. However, spider veins are not varicose veins. Spider veins are comparatively smaller, less painful and very thin. Spider veins look like thin ink lines drawn on the skin while varicose veins bulge out from the skin and are much more painful.

  2. Varicose veins are vital to the circulatory system – Varicose veins used to be an essential part of the circulatory system but now as their valves do not function well and they cause the blood to pool, they are no longer useful to the body. They are superficial and it is safe to get them cut or totally removed from the body. The body automatically re-routes the blood to other healthier veins and continues to function perfectly well without these veins.

  3. Varicose veins cannot be prevented – Varicose veins can most certainly be avoided by keeping a check on your weight, wearing comfortable footwear, and having an active lifestyle. If you are obese or overweight, there is additional unwanted pressure on the legs and that can damage the valves of the leg and feet veins thus leading to the severely painful varicose veins. Footwear that restricts the blood flow can also force the blood to pool in the legs and around the ankles. Mild regular exercises focussing on the ankles have also been known to reduce the chances of varicose veins in most patients.

  4. Varicose veins are not a hereditary medical condition – In a few cases, varicose veins have also been found to have developed in patients who were neither overweight nor had a sedentary lifestyle. Varicose veins are thus, also related to hereditary and have been found to be a genetic medical condition for a few people. If your family members have a history of varicose veins, sadly even you have a higher probability of getting them at some point in your life.

  5. Compression Stockings offer no comfort to varicose vein patients – Compression socks, also called support stockings are a blessing for the varicose vein patients. They are available in multiple sizes and are generally lose from the thighs but tighter near the ankles. They help keep the veins compressed and thus hinder the blood from pooling. Ideal for long flights or varicose vein patients who have desk jobs with long intervals of sitting in the same position, these help reduce the pain, slow down the progression of existing varicose veins, and also restrict new developments of varicose veins.

If you have any early signs of varicose veins or have been successfully diagnosed with them, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Hospitals is a vascular surgeon and specializes in non-invasive laser treatment of varicose veins. It is an absolutely safe and painless procedure. There is a minimal post-treatment care and the patients are usually discharged from the hospital on the same day as their endovenous laser treatment.

Avis Hospitals has a proven track record of happy patients who have been successfully cured of their varicose veins. No matter your age, if you have varicose veins, Dr. Rajah V Koppala is here to help you get rid of them. For pin-point diagnosis and world-class treatment, book an appointment at Avis Vascular Centre today!

Can varicose veins be treated painlessly or without Anaesthesia?

The very thought of undergoing the knife often sends chills down the spine for most people. Surgery is definitely scary but what is worse is the pain that remains for days after the surgical procedure has been successfully concluded. A majority of the patients are also fearful that although the surgery may cure their varicose veins, they may still continue to suffer from surgical discomfort.

In the 21st century, owing to the technological advancements of the medical field, painful surgeries are now a thing of the past! Laser treatment is a great alternative to the surgical cure for varicose veins. It is both non-invasive and painless. Before we share more details about the laser process, let us first understand what are varicose veins and why is it necessary for you to get them treated?

What are varicose veins?

As you know, the human body has multiple blood vessels. The arteries carry blood from the heart to all body parts, and the veins send the de-oxygenated blood from all body parts back to the heart. Varicose veins are caused when the valves of these veins dysfunction and fail to send the blood back to the heart. Though varicose veins can occur in any body part, they are most commonly found in the legs and feet.

Due to this condition, the blood pools in these varicose veins and the patients tend to have enlarged or swollen veins that are dark purple in colour and clearly visible right under the skin. Patients have a heavy feeling in the legs and may also have constant itching or a burning sensation accompanied by severe pain.

What are the treatment options for Varicose Veins?

Traditionally, varicose veins were treated by surgical procedures like sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, etc. Though these surgical methods were, and are successful even today, they lead to huge cuts on the skin, are very painful, and often force the patients to a few weeks of bed rest.

The new treatment options that employ the laser technique are minimally invasive, do not require bug cuts to be made and are almost painless! In most cases, the patients can go back to their home on the same day. Named as “Endovenous Laser Treatment”, this treatment has a whopping success rate of 98%.

Before the Endovenous Laser Treatment, the doctor asks the patient to get done a Duplex Ultrasound Scan as that helps the doctor to clearly mark out all weak veins that must be treated. Using the scan, the doctor also finds the best place to insert the catheter.

The area to be treated is numbed by local anaesthesia and a small cut is made to insert the catheter with the guide-wire. A laser fibre is then passed through the catheter which seals all affected veins. This entire procedure takes at most an hour.

How is Endovenous Laser Treatment better than the surgical treatments?

  1. The cut made for the laser process is very minute and hardly visible as compared to the big cut required for surgical procedures like vein stripping. The big cut made for surgical treatment, also often leaves a mark on the patient’s skin.

  2. The laser treatment is minimally invasive and negligibly painful as opposed to the surgical processes like sclerotherapy.

  3. The patient can walk and go home on the same day as the laser treatment but may be unable to walk and remain under medical care for a few weeks after the surgical procedure for varicose veins.

  4. The endovenous laser treatment is safer than surgical operations as it requires only local anaesthesia in which only the area to be treated is numbed and the patient is awake during the whole process. For surgical treatment, general anaesthesia is given to the patient who then remains unconscious during the entire duration of the surgery.

Post Laser Treatment Care

After the laser treatment, the patient is advised to intake some medicines to reduce pain and prevent infections. The patient must not skip any medicines and complete the course as prescribed by the doctor. The treated area may be tied with a bandage that the patients can remove it on their own in a day or so.

A few patients may also be advised to wear the compression stockings for a short period of time. These stockings are for use during the day only and must be removed at the night. While lying down on the bed or while sleeping, the patient must keep two pillows under the operated leg and feet.

The patient can resume daily activities in 2-3 days of the treatment and get back to work in a week or so. The patients must avoid long flights for at least 6 weeks and also prevent sitting or standing for long durations at a stretch.

Can Avis Hospitals help you with Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins?

Dr. Rajah V Koppala is a trained vascular surgeon and has years of experience in treating varicose vein patients. For him, the patients’ satisfaction and comfort are of utmost importance. Dr. Rajah always ensures that the patients are well informed of the procedure and that they have to go through minimal pain during the laser treatment process.

Avis Hospitals has the most advanced medical equipment and a professional team of support staff that assists Dr. Rajah at each stage. Schedule your appointment for varicose veins check-up at Avis Hospitals today!

A Look at the Common Misconceptions Surrounding Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are not uncommon. Every 1 in 4 adults suffers from varicose veins at some point in their lifetime. Awareness about the symptoms of varicose veins can lead to timely diagnosis and effective treatment, thus preventing a multitude of other venous disorders that have a high probability of occurrence in cases where the treatment for varicose veins is delayed.

In this blog today, we shall be addressing some of the most common misconceptions about varicose veins. We will burst all myths and share some relevant facts, stay with us till the end.

  1. Varicose veins are the same as spider veins – Although both varicose veins and spider veins are venous disorders that occur due to faulty valves of the veins and restrict the movement of the deoxygenated blood back to the heart, these are not the synonyms for the same medical condition.

    Spider veins appear in the form of web-like structures and may occur anywhere on the body including the face and the chest. Varicose veins usually form on the legs and result in bluish-purple swollen veins that ache and cause discomfort. Spider veins are much less likely to result in any serious complication but varicose veins must be treated to prevent critical venous disorders.

  2. Varicose veins are only a cosmetic issue – Varicose veins are ugly. They are not a pleasant sight but are definitely more than just a cosmetic annoyance. Varicose veins signal towards an underlying issue in the movement of the deoxygenated blood back to the heart from the legs.

    Resulting in pooling of blood which eventually causes extreme swelling, irritation, pain, and discomfort, varicose veins spoil the quality of life and may even lead to other venous disorders such as active venous ulcers, chronic venous insufficiency, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), and the life-threatening disease pulmonary-embolism.

  3. Varicose veins cannot be prevented – In a few cases, varicose veins are genetic and may occur due to the patient’s personal or family history of blood clots, varicose veins, or DVT. But in most cases, varicose veins occur to people who are overweight, consume junk food with high-fat percentage, do not have an exercise routine, have a sedentary lifestyle or a job that requires them to stand or sit in the same position for extended durations.

    Patients who are aware of their family history of venous disorders can prevent varicose veins by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating a balanced diet, giving up on coffee, alcohol, and smoking, performing mild to moderate exercise every day, ensuring to change your posture once a while, and taking care of your overall health.

  4. Varicose veins do not affect the young – Most people assume that varicose veins only affects the elderly, but this is not true. Although the aged people are more probable of suffering from varicose veins, it can occur to the people of any age group, especially to those who do not perform any physical activity.

    Many young men and women have already been reported to be suffering from varicose veins. You can reduce the likelihood of varicose veins by performing one or the other form of exercise that is known to regulate the blood flow and prevent its pooling.

  5. Varicose veins are nothing to worry about – Varicose veins are not a medical emergency but can turn into one if you ignore the symptoms and delay the medical check-up or treatment. In the beginning, varicose veins may not even have severe symptoms but these do get worse with time.

    Delay or a total lack of treatment can exaggerate the symptoms. Blood pooling may make the affected area to swell and ache. The symptoms may include itching, enlarged veins bulging out from the skin surface, and discomfort. With time, these symptoms tend to get worse and you may develop ulcers or open sores around the ankle. Blood pooling can even lead to blood clots in the deep veins which can travel to other body parts and affect the heart, brain, and lungs.

  6. Pregnancy causes varicose veins – Pregnancy is not a cause of varicose veins but the hormonal changes, weight gain, and increased blood volume before childbirth may hinder the movement of blood from the legs to the heart.

    A few women develop varicose veins during pregnancy but these are temporary and tend to go away in 3 to 4 months after delivery. However, if you notice them getting worse after childbirth, do not delay seeking medical advice from a venous expert.

  7. Varicose veins require surgical treatment – This was true until a few years ago when surgical procedures like vein litigation and sclerotherapy were the only feasible methods to remove varicose veins. But today, interventional radiologists are efficiently able to close off the affected veins in a minimal and painless laser procedure.

    The endovenous laser treatment for varicose veins is a quick procedure with zero downtime. This process does not require general anaesthesia and can successfully treat all varicose veins in a single sitting. The laser treatment is popular for being the no-cut, no-stitch, and no-scar method that encourages the patient to resume everyday activities from the very next day of the treatment.

    It is performed under the influence of local anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The patient need not get admitted or take many leaves from the job. Performed with accurate monitoring from a duplex ultrasound scan, a thin catheter along with a laser fibre is inserted into the affected area. This laser fibre helps close off the damaged veins and the body re-routes the blood to the neighbouring veins.

If you are eager to get your varicose veins treated in a painless and cost-effective non-surgical method, book an appointment with Avis Vascular Centre. It is a renowned medical institute with world-class amenities and qualified venous experts. Led by the distinguished vascular surgeon and experienced interventional radiologist Dr. Rajah V Koppala, Avis Vascular Centre is your one-stop medical institution for top-rated treatment of varicose veins and related venous disorders.

Deep Vein Thrombosis and Its Health Complications

What is DVT?

Deep Vein Thrombosis, abbreviated as DVT and also referred to as venous embolism, thrombophlebitis, or phlebothrombosis is a medical condition where blood clots (thrombus) develop in the deep veins of the legs.

DVT occurs as a result of blood pooling in the veins and the neighbouring tissues which act as a trigger for the blood clotting mechanism. Although DVT can occur in the veins of other body parts as well, these have been commonly observed in the lower legs, usually between the ankle and upper calf.

Blood clots in the deep vein thrombosis condition may partially or completely hinder the blood flow. These may also travel deep within the veins of the pelvis, arms, heart, brain, lungs, etc and lead to life-threatening medical conditions.

Both Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) are types of thrombophlebitis but SVT is less dangerous as blood clots are formed in the superficial veins and not the deep veins. As opposed to SVT which is not related to any serious complications, DVT requires immediate medical attention or can lead to death.

What causes DVT?

The most common cause of Deep Vein Thrombosis is inactivity. The lesser you move, the poorer is your blood circulation and this increases the chances of blood clotting by multi-fold.

Blood clots often develop in extended periods of inactivity. If you sit for long periods at your office desk or undertake elongated travel trips in a flight or car, or frequently binge-watch movies or web series, you are at a higher risk of developing clumps or blood clots in your legs.

People who are bedridden, paralyzed, or confined to a wheelchair are also highly likely to develop blood clots due to their inability to move their legs.

At times, any accident or surgery that causes damage to blood vessels may also lead to blood clots. Patients who have had orthopaedic surgery, pelvic surgery or abdominal surgery have also been reported to be suffering from DVT. In some cases, DVT has been diagnosed to be genetic or because of cancer.

How to diagnose DVT?

DVT is considered dangerous because it is a silent medical condition and difficult to diagnose by external examination. In most cases, especially when the blood clot is too small in size, there are no visible symptoms. DVT progresses too fast, thus making it even more difficult for the patient to identify the symptoms.

The most prominent signs of DVT are swelling, pain, and redness in the affected area. There may also be a prickly sensation in the legs. These symptoms are usually felt in a single leg.

The damaged area may feel warm and tender, it may also ache more when touched or pressed. The patient may suffer from shortness of breath accompanied by extreme pain that worsens after walking or standing.

As the visible symptoms develop only in about 50% of patients, it is wise for patients with a family history of blood clots to monitor their situation and keep a close eye on the symptoms, if any.

Is DVT a serious condition?

DVT is a very serious medical condition and often leads to the post-thrombotic syndrome which causes irreversible damage to the veins and the leg. As many as 25% of DVT patients have been reported to have suffered from permanent damage to their legs due to blood clotting.

Blood clots in the deep veins can grow bigger, break free, and travel through the bloodstream to other body parts such as the heart, brain, etc. Thus, DVT can also turn out to be fatal for a few patients.

As the deoxygenated blood from the veins is returning to the lungs for oxygenation, blood clots in the deep veins may be pushed to the lungs and can result in pulmonary embolism where the blood supply to the lungs is partially or fully restricted. This medical condition can lead to death.

Pulmonary embolism is characterized by chest pain that becomes worse with coughing or deep breathing, dizziness or fainting, increased pulse rate, and unexplained shortness of breath. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, you must immediately rush to the nearest hospital.

How to reduce in-flight risk of DVT?

The risk of developing a blood clot increases substantially during a long flight. This is because there is limited leg space and your legs usually remain in a cramped position for an extended duration. Inactivity in a flight restricts the blood flow and thus increases the likelihood of DVT.

Whenever in a flight, you must move your legs as frequently as feasible. Always opt for an aisle seat as that has a little extra leg space and allows you to get up and walk around the cabin as many times as you want. You can also stretch your legs once a while.

You must also try and stand occasionally to flex your leg muscles and improve the blood circulation in the leg veins. If for some reason you are unable to get up, raise and lower your heels and keep your toes on the floor to exercise your calf muscles.

Always wear loose-fitting clothes and keep your legs uncrossed during your flight. You can also buy ergonomic devices that stimulate blood flow when body movement is not feasible. Those who have already been diagnosed with a venous disorder must use compression stockings to improve blood flow during long flights or car rides.

How to prevent DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis can be easily prevented by being physically active. By performing moderate exercises every day or going for a brisk walk, you can maintain good blood circulation and that can help in preventing blood clots.

Getting up from your office desk once every hour or so will also help the blood to constantly pump through the body. If at all you are unable to get up, keeping legs elevated will also improve the blood flow.

You must give up on caffeine and alcohol and instead consume plenty of fluids. Keep your blood pressure under control. Also, consult your medical practitioner about the suggested use of compression stockings and any blood-thinning drugs that will help regulate your blood flow.

Always eat clean and maintain a healthy weight. Pickup an outdoor sport and team with your friends and/or family for an everyday evening session. Walk down the road instead of taking a cab and always prefer the staircase instead of the escalator or the lift. These are small steps but make a huge difference to your overall health.

How to treat DVT?

As opposed to the ancient times when surgical procedures were the only feasible way to treat varicose veins and other venous disorders like DVT, today there are available minimally invasive and painless procedures that efficiently remove the deep vein thrombus and offer instant relief from symptoms like swelling and pain.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Vascular Centre specializes in the endovenous laser treatment which is performed as an outpatient procedure under the guidance of a doppler ultrasound scan. Enjoying a high success rate and a negligible rate of recurrence, this procedure is a highly efficient and safe treatment for a large variety of venous disorders.

If you have a family history of deep vein clots or have visible symptoms of DVT, do not hesitate or delay the treatment as it can lead to other medical complications. At Avis Vascular Centre, we treat 45000+ patients every year and have huge experience in curing even the most critical cases.

We offer 100% price assurance at the time of admission and have partnered with all major insurance agencies of India to offer easy Mediclaim assistance to our patients. Even if you reside outside of Hyderabad, our outstation patient care team can help you with your travel and accommodation bookings and thus ease your procedure.

Get treated by distinguished interventional radiologists at Avis Vascular Centre, book your consultation today!

4 Dangers Associated With Varicose Veins

Most of us wrongly believe varicose veins to just be a cosmetic issue. Varicose veins, however, refer to a medical condition where malfunctioning valves of certain veins restrict the blood flow back to the heart and result in the undesired pooling of blood.

Characterized by swelling in the damaged area, pain, itching, and a feeling of heaviness, varicose veins do not only affect the elderly but are becoming increasingly popular in young adults as well.

Visible as swollen and enlarged bluish-purple veins, varicose veins can most often be seen as bulging out from the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are known to lead to other medical complications in cases where the treatment is delayed. Let us learn more about the dangers of varicose veins:

  1. Blood Clots – These are fairly common for all varicose veins patients. Although blood clots in the superficial veins do not pose a serious threat to life, blood clots in the deep veins (Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT) can travel to other parts of the body such as the heart, brain, and even to the lungs and cause pulmonary embolism which is a fatal medical condition.

    Blood clots can also lead to the health disorder called thrombophlebitis where the blood clots block one or more veins, usually in the legs. The affected area feels warm. The veins are painful and turn red in colour.

  2. Leg Ulcers – Varicose veins cause excessive swelling and hyperpigmentation where the skin around the affected area turns darker than the surrounding area. At this time, you will begin to notice open sores on the skin surface of the legs and these are commonly known as ulcers.

    The ulcers usually develop on the inner leg slightly above the ankle and are termed as the last stage of the venous disorder. Lack in treatment can cause chronic ulceration when while you try to heal one ulcer, another ulcer forms up at a different location on your legs.

  3. Bleeding – As varicose veins are usually the superficial veins, they are situated right under the surface of the skin. Even a small cut on the skin or a minor injury can cause excessive bleeding. Also, because the varicose veins result in the pooling of blood in the affected area, it can become very difficult to stop bleeding and there are high chances of it resulting in heavy blood loss!
  4. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) – When blood remains pooled in the varicose veins and the surrounding tissues, the blood pressure in the affected area rises and stays elevated for longer periods. This leads to the medical conditioned known as CVI.

    Chronic venous insufficiency is common for people who have blood clots in the deep veins and suffer from DVT. The skin around the affected area becomes to look leathery. It looks flaky and there is a lot of itching. CVI can further lead to venous eczema and venous stasis ulcers.

Home Remedies

Varicose veins have been classified as a lifestyle disorder. There are certain precautionary steps that you can take to improve your lifestyle and thus decrease the chances of occurrence of varicose veins and also reduce the intensity of the symptoms.

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Eat a nutritious diet that is low in fats and sugars
  • Make an exercise routine
  • Remain active throughout the day
  • Avoid sitting or standing for too long at a stretch
  • Use pillows to elevate your legs above the level of your heart while lying down on a bed
  • Wear compression stockings to improve the blood flow in your legs and prevent pooling of blood
  • Keep exercising your legs and ankles during long flights or car journeys

Treatment

Opposed to ancient times, today the varicose veins can be easily and efficiently treated by the painless and minimally invasive laser treatment process. In the endovenous laser ablation technique, the doctor makes a small incision in your skin and inserts a laser fiber along with a catheter to the damaged area.

The affected veins are then closed off and the body automatically re-routes the blood to the other neighbouring healthy veins. This procedure is performed with local anaesthesia and monitored with the help of a duplex ultrasound scan. It is a 100% safe procedure and does not lead to any major side-effects.

The endovenous laser treatment is a comparatively cost-effective and fairly quick procedure as compared to the surgical procedures and radio-frequency ablation techniques. Performed commonly as an outpatient procedure at the doctor’s clinic, it allows the patient to go back home on the same day and resume everyday work routine from the next day itself. The laser treatment for varicose veins is popular for being the no-cut, no-stitch, and no-scar treatment.

Conclusion

At Avis Vascular Centre, our all treatment procedures are USFDA approved. We strictly adhere to the protocols of the American College of Phlebology and ensure that all patients have a convenient and satisfactory medical experience.

We offer 100% price assurance at the time of admission along with free duplex scan facility to all deserving patients with 100% assistance for Mediclaim approvals from all leading national insurance providers.

We treat over 40000+ patients every year and have a cent percent success rate. We ensure that the chances of recurrence of varicose veins are reduced to a negligible minimum. We have an array of satisfied patients who speak highly of our professionalism and medical care.

Our doctor panel is headed by the extremely qualified and supremely talented Dr. Rajah V Koppala who has 24+ years of experience as an interventional radiologist. Having successfully cured patients with the worst cases of varicose veins, he is the best medical care practitioner for varicose veins not just in Hyderabad but in Telangana as well as all of India.

We are eager to make India, a nation free of venous disorders. If you want to know more about our treatment services or are eager to get your medical check-up for varicose veins done from Dr. Rajah V Koppala, schedule a consultation at Avis Vascular Centre today!