PAINESVILLE, Ohio, February 2, 2009 - Varicose veins are a common condition, affecting an estimated 12 million Americans.  For many of these individuals, the unsightly purple or blue rope-like bulges on the legs are simply a cosmetic concern.  But for others, varicose veins cause aching, itching, throbbing, swelling, leg fatigue and heaviness. Some patients even develop open sores, bleeding and superficial phlebitis.

According to Lake Health Vascular Medicine Physician Gregory Kezele, M.D., significant advances have occurred in varicose vein treatment over the last five years, resulting in less invasive procedures and speedier recovery with little patient discomfort. Lake Health offers numerous treatment options, including minimally invasive laser surgery.

“During the procedure, a small, spaghetti-thin tube is placed into the large abnormal varicose vein. Laser energy is then applied which seals the vein closed. Other healthy veins take over normal blood flow in the leg,” Dr. Kezele explained.

“Simply interrupting or stopping the blood supply to surface varicosities doesn’t work and will result in other veins becoming just as twisted and painful as the original vessels,” he explained. “When you close off the main varicose vein first, you eliminate the cause and decrease the recurrence rate of new diseased veins.”

The treatment is also patient friendly, he said, because it can be done on an outpatient basis, under local anesthetic in the office; the incision can be covered with a Band-Aid; and the procedure discomfort is so mild that over-the-counter pain relievers are usually used.

For smaller varicose veins, as well as spider veins, Dr. Kezele typically uses a technique called sclerotherapy. In sclerotherapy, a solution is injected into the veins, causing the vein walls to stick together. The vein then collapses and is no longer visible. Mild temporary stinging or bruising at the injection sites may occur.

Both laser surgery and sclerotherapy are great improvements over the older procedure called “ligation and stripping.” This operation is usually performed under general anesthesia and involves an incision in the groin area and many in the lower leg. Larger incisions and more trauma mean a longer healing time and a greater chance of scarring. Recovery time with this procedure is usually between two and four weeks. In contrast, patients who undergo laser treatment are usually able to resume their normal activities within one or two days and experience minimal pain or discomfort for up to two weeks.  Patients having sclerotherapy require no time off from work and can resume most normal activities immediately.

Ashtabula resident Jenny Sass is thrilled with her results after undergoing both minimally invasive laser surgery and sclerotherapy. The 38-year-old mother of twins sought the expertise of Dr. Kezele in September 2007 to alleviate the feeling of heaviness and discomfort in her legs and improve their appearance.

Dr. Kezele performed laser surgery on Sass, one leg at a time, in January and February of 2008. In September 2008, Dr. Kezele treated her smaller varicose veins and spider veins using sclerotherapy.

“After the laser procedure, the heaviness in my legs was gone immediately. My legs were a little sore for the first couple days, but my recovery was very quick,” Sass explained. “Overall, I’m extremely happy with my results. Dr. Kezele is a wonderful doctor, and his sense of humor helped put me at ease.”

In general, women are two to three times as likely as men to get varicose veins, according to Dr. Kezele. Genetics also play a significant role.

“Your risk of developing varicose and spider veins increases if you are female, take medications containing estrogen or progesterone, such as birth-control pills or hormone-replacement therapy drugs. Prolonged standing also may weaken the valves in the veins, and the risk of varicose veins increases with age, pregnancy and a family history of varicose veins,” he said

To help prevent varicose veins, Dr. Kezele recommends the following:

• Get regular exercise.  Walking is always better than standing in one place.
• Don’t smoke.
• Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight.
• Wear knee high compression stockings if you stand all day at work
• Daily vitamins may be helpful