NEWS photo Cindy Goodman DR. FERDINAND Siasiak of the Lonsdale Vein Clinic injects a sefution through a tiny needle into the affected area to aierosing tid the patient of spider veins. POTS EVERY SUIT IN THE STORE EVERY SPORTCOAT inmessone DRESS SHIRTS someway, sero, cont Ti ES pure silk, assorfed pattems D R E SS PA N TS Kelthmoore, siyiomastor S PO RTS S H ] RTS Gant, Hathaway and others SWEATERS Ingo, Toscani, Boston Traders Sunday, December 27, 1992 - North Shore News - 28 treatment for spider veins A NORTH Vancouver doc- tor recently opened a clinic to treat people who are suf- fering from varicose veins. By Surj Rattan News Reporter Dr. Ferdinand Stasiak, of the Lonsdale Vein Clinic, said varicose veins are bload vessels with tiny valves along their inner walls controling blood flow from the extremities to the heart. He added that veins on the sur- face of the leg can become varicose when either the walls of the veins weaken or the valves stop functioning normally. “This weakening causes veins to enlarge, resulting in a rope-like, visibly bluish appearance. The condition can then lead to venous congestion and the appearance of telangiectasis; cormoniy calied spider veins,’’ said Stasiak. He added that while varicos: veins are not directly life- threatening, they may cause swell- ing, cramps and give rise to 4 sen- sation of burning or numbness. Stasiak estimated that at least 40% of the population and three times more women than men suf- fer from varying degrees of varicose veins. “In all other fi elds, physicians CAS U AL PA NTS Gant, Nautica, others @) UTE RWEA R Gant, Nautica, Aquascutum ACCESSO Ri ES sox, belts, scarves 44... for the past 50 years. European physicians have used a procedure called sclerotheraphy to successfully treat varicose and spider veins. 99 are oriented to raake an early diagnosis, thus avoiding the con- sequences of a disease. “Surprisingly, where varicose veins are concerned, the diagnosis is genezally made too fate, often at the stage of complications,” said Stasiak. He added that varicose veins are a chronic problem and symptoms start early and progress slowly. Stasiak said the main symptom & heaviness in the legs, which is at its worst when the patient is standing. “The time-honored treatment for varicose veins has been to strip the veins from the legs. In addi- tion, for years North American doctors have told women that spider veins were part of getting older, a cosmetic problem, and that nothing could be done to remove them. 40 1 UPTO 50% OFF UP YO 50% OFF 30% o- ww10 530% on UPTO 50% OFF UPTO 50% OFF 90% on 90% o- UPTO 50% OFF “However, for the past 50 years, European and in particziar French physicians have used a procedure cailed sclerotherapy to successfully treat varicose and spider veins.”* Stasiak said the procedure .in- cludes injecting, through a tiny needle, a mild solution containing Natural substances such as dex- trose, saline or iodine. The sclerosing solution irritates the lining of the vein and effec- tively seals it with scar tissue. 4 short time later the spider . vein will completely disappear. *“Sclerotherapy is not a painful procedure. Patients will feel a slight siing from the tiny needle. Some bruising may also occur but this fades in two to three weeks. “The number of treatments needed depends on the extent of spider veins,’’ said Stasiak. * SPECIAL HOURS * FOR THIS EVENT SATUADAY DEC. 26 SAM-SPM SUNDAY DEC. 27 1 OAM -SPM NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE DURING THESE HOURS REGULAR STOCK FROM LEADING CANADIAN AND INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS PARK ROYAL - SOUTH MALL - MAIN FLOOR