Varicose veins can be treated without surgery.
Veins in your legs work against gravity to return blood to the heart, so it is helped along by tiny valves that stop the blood going backwards. These one-way valves can weaken, causing blood to pool, which leads to bulbous, protruding veins. The discomfort of varicose veins is often described as fatigue, heaviness, itching or even cramps.
Historically, treatment of varicose centred on surgical removal of varicose veins under general anaesthetic. However, endovenous catheter ablation has become so successful that surgery is seldom needed. Endovenous means "working inside the vein" and ablation means "to close off". Under local anaesthetic, a laser fibre is threaded into the varicose vein and used to close off the problem veins, prompting the blood to redirect itself. Compression stockings are worn for two weeks post-treatment and regular walking is recommended.
There is no need for time off work. If you have varicose veins that are affecting you call Vein & Laser for a consultation with our doctor, vein physician Elisabeth De Felice.
Riddle Me This, Neighbours! Bet You Can’t Guess It!
Sometimes narrow, sometimes wide, wind or rain, I stay outside.
Even if there’s heat or snow, from house to house I will still go.
What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5.1% Second half of November
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41.1% 1st December
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17.9% A week before Christmas
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34.6% Whenever you wish
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.3% Yes
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13.7% No
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1% Other - I'll share below