Ensure you've got your pins ready for summer
Varicose veins can plague of women, especially this time of year when more skin is on show, but do you actually know what they are and how you can treat them?
Veincentre, one of the UK’s leading private health clinics specialising in varicose veins, has seen more than 10,000 patients since opening its doors 10 years ago. Almost all of the clients that visited the clinic had completely misunderstood their condition and were not aware of the options available to them.
The clinic’s lead consultant – Dr David West - has listed the five most common myths surrounding varicose veins and the truth behind these conditions and their treatment.
Myth: Varicose veins is only a problem for women
Truth: 40% of our clients are men. However, they only tend to come to us once the pain has become unbearable. By waiting until this time they are putting themselves at greater risk of developing additional problems. This is not just a ‘female only’ problem and it is definitely nothing to be embarrassed about as it’s so common.
Myth: Varicose veins are only a cosmetic issue i.e. not serious
Truth: Varicose veins, if ignored and left untreated, can actually progress into serious medical conditions including leg pain, swelling, skin damage and ulcers. They may also be a result of (and therefore masking) another underlying problem. Some of our clients had suffered with their varicose veins for over 40 years, either because they were not offered adequate solutions by their GP or simply because they were unaware of the options available.
Their daily lives were seriously affected due to constant pain and discomfort. A lot of them had self-confidence issues, avoiding holidays and summer clothing and some of the more serious cases had been unable to walk or stand for long periods of time.
Myth: Treating varicose veins is expensive
Truth: People are turning to ‘self-pay’ private surgery in response to lengthening NHS waiting lists, some clinicians refusing to treat them on the NHS and escalating costs of private health insurance. However, there is a huge price variation for the same procedures up and down the country.
We would not dream of unnecessarily overcharging our clients and I believe some of the prices being quoted at other clinics are ridiculous. What may cost up to £8,000 at one clinic, we’ll provide the same varicose vein treatment for £1,995 and I’d argue we’d do it to a higher patient satisfaction because all we do are veins.
Cost should not be a barrier for people seeking treatment for their varicose veins. Treatment options should be tailored to patients’ budgets. At Veincentre, we offer payment options to accommodate even the most modest budgets.
Myth: Varicose vein treatment will involve long painful surgery
Truth : Not so with a pioneering new technique called Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA), which is recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) as the default treatment for varicose veins.
EVLA is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive procedure with no need for general anaesthetic. The efficiency of this procedure means that many of our patients have their first consultation and treatment at the same time – often lasting no longer than 90 minutes.
Myth: Varicose veins are a problem for old people
Truth: This is not just a problem for older people, your genetics also play a large part in the development of varicose veins. We have had clients as young as 16 suffering with varicose veins and seen children with the condition.