And who better than Dr Henryk Poczwa, one of the most experienced, professional, and respected varicose vein experts in New Zealand.
In this post, Dr Poczwa answers some of the most common questions about varicose veins, what causes them, and their treatment.
What are varicose veins?
Blood is not pumped up through the legs efficiently enough to fight the force of gravity because the broken valves act like open gates, so a little amount falls back down and begins to pool, causing the vein to bulge.
These veins can be on the inside of the leg where they are not noticeable, or, more commonly, on the outside, resulting in bulbous, knotted veins protruding from the skin.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
The most common symptom of varicose veins is unfortunately pain, manifesting as an ache, heaviness, throbbing or tenderness. Numbness or a tingling sensation is also common, and the severity of the symptoms depends on how far the disease has progressed.
Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS, is a condition that causes you to feel as if you need to constantly move your legs, and is usually most noticeable at night while lying in bed.
Swelling, throbbing and cramping are also all symptoms of the disease.
Isn’t it only women who get varicose veins?
Statistically, while women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins, it’s not by much.
Anestimated 45% of people with the disease are men, with around 30% of the population affected overall.
The truth is, anyone can develop varicose veins, at any time in their life, and varicose veins affect everyone.
Why have varicose veins treated?
Some people are too embarrassed to wear skirts or shorts, and swimming and sunbathing are no longer options. The damage varicose veins can do to a person’s confidence cannot be measured, but it does affect their everyday life.
The condition is a chronic one, meaning it will only get worse over time, so treatment isn’t something that should be put off.
What can I do about varicose veins?
The following procedures are all designed for the removal of varicose veins with the minimal amount of disruption and pain.
Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)
Using a laser, which converts light energy to heat energy, the treatment destroys the vein walls, causing the vein to collapse, stop working, and gradually disappear over several weeks or months.
Venaseal
Once the affected vein is closed, blood is immediately re-routed through other healthy veins in the leg. With no surgery or anaesthetic, the procedure is performed as an outpatient and with virtually no recovery
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy is a simple day procedure, and all normal activities can be resumed immediately, although compression stockings may need to be worn for a week or two.
The very best New Zealand has to offer
He was a founding member of the College of Appearance Medicine, now called the New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine (NZSCM) since its inception in the early 1990’s.
It was in 1998 that Dr Poczwa founded the Vein and Skin Clinic in Wellington, introducing the aforementioned EVLA procedure to New Zealand in 2002.
Since Dr Poczwa introduced EVLA to New Zealand, it has been adopted by numerous Phlebologists and Vascular Surgeons around the country, due to its low risk factors and high success rate.
We are one of the leading clinics in New Zealand for varicose vein treatment and have treated thousands of patients with the disease.
If you would like to know more about varicose vein treatment or how we can help, then please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Our team of expert doctors, theatre nurses, cosmetic nurses, and friendly clerical staff are here to help you feel confident again, say goodbye to the symptoms of varicose veins, and become your old self once more!