The Global Business News Leader|Monday, 5 November 2007

HEALTH: SCLEROTHERAPY AND LASER THERAPY TREATMENTS FOR VARICOSE VEINS. JOSHUA FOX, M.D., a leading dermatologist and founder/director of ADVANCED DERMATOLOGY:

“Varicose veins are often more than a cosmetic problem. Spiderveins and larger varicosities can also lead to leg pain, sores, ulcers, nightcramps, ankle swelling and leg heaviness that patients do not know toattribute to their unsightly varicose veins. Until recently, the primaryoption for varicose vein removal was a surgical procedure called ‘strippingand ligation,’ during which the affected veins would be removed invasively.However, this approach requires general anesthesia, and often leads toscarring and an eventual return of varicosities. Two new approaches –sclerotherapy and laser therapy — are leading more and more patients topursue relief from varicose veins.”