The speaker, Dayan Siebra, a vascular surgeon, discusses varicose veins, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options. He explains that varicose veins are a common condition, especially among women, and can be caused by genetics, obesity, standing for long periods, and pregnancy.
Symptoms of varicose veins include heaviness, tiredness, swelling, itching, and cramps in the legs. The speaker emphasizes that varicose veins do not disappear with clinical treatment, but rather require surgery or laser treatment.
He discusses various treatment options, including:
1. Elastic socks to compress the veins
2. Oral medications to improve vein function
3. Creams and physiotherapy
4. Surgery to remove the varicose vein
5. Laser treatment to close the vein
6. Foam sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive procedure that injects a foam into the vein to close it
The speaker also answers common questions about varicose veins, such as:
* Do high heels cause varicose veins? (No, but they can exacerbate the condition)
* Can small spider veins become larger veins? (No, but they can increase in quantity)
* Can varicose vein surgery prevent new varicose veins from appearing? (Yes, if done correctly)
He also discusses potential complications of varicose veins, such as thrombosis, swelling, and pulmonary embolism, and emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Varicose veins are dilated veins that don't work properly.
2. Varicose veins can be classified into different types, including thick varicose veins, medium-caliber varicose veins, small varicose veins, and telangectasias (very thin veins).
3. Varicose veins can be caused by genetics, obesity, working long hours on one's feet, and sedentary lifestyle.
4. Symptoms of varicose veins include heaviness in the leg, tiredness, swelling, itching, tingling, cramps, and hyperpigmentation.
5. Varicose veins can lead to complications such as thrombosis, swelling, pulmonary embolism, and ulcers.
6. Clinical treatment for varicose veins includes elastic socks, oral medications, creams, physiotherapy, and manual lymphatic drainage.
7. Surgery is a treatment option for large or medium-sized varicose veins.
8. Laser treatment is also a treatment option for varicose veins, but it may not be as effective as conventional surgery.
9. Foam sclerotherapy is another treatment option for varicose veins, but it may have risks such as pulmonary embolism.
10. Varicose vein surgery can prevent new varicose veins from appearing in the future, but it's not a guarantee.
11. Internal varicose veins do exist and can be treated with surgery or other methods.
12. Complications can happen with varicose veins, including thrombosis, swelling, pulmonary embolism, and ulcers.