Varicose Veins and Venous Disease
Venous disease includes a broad range of conditions that affect blood circulation throughout the body. Some conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency, develop over time, while others such as congenital malformations may be present during a patient’s entire life. Those conditions also include venous malformations such as a varicocele. Common venous diseases include varicose veins and peripheral vascular disease.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins occur when the vessel walls or the valves in veins stretch or weaken, allowing blood to flow back down into the legs. When too much blood flows back into the legs, the leg veins begin to show signs and symptoms.
Signs & symptoms
- Swelling, heaviness, pain or dark areas on the skin
- Cosmetically unappealing veins
- Skin ulceration in advanced cases
Risk factors
Varicose veins are a common condition for nearly half of all people over the age of 50.
Factors include:
- Gender (Women are more prone)
- A person who spends long periods standing
- A family history
- Obesity
- Age
Pregnancy (Some women experience this condition due to blood flow changes)
Diagnosis
A physician will evaluate your signs and symptoms and may order an ultrasound to test first for any other circulatory conditions.
Treatment
Our physicians are experienced in a variety of advanced treatment options to relieve the pain and improve the appearance of your legs. Many procedures can be completed in our offices, causing minimal discomfort and shorter recovery times.
Treatment options include:
EndoVenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) uses laser energy to kill the diseased portion of a varicose vein, causing the vein to seal closed and be reabsorbed by the body. EVLT is performed in a physician’s office in less than an hour. A patient can return to most normal activities immediately afterward.
Radiofrequency Ablation utilizes radiofrequency (RF) energy to destroy the disease varicose vein which causes the vein to seal closed. This is a minimally invasive procedure performed in the physician’s office with minimal complications. A patient can return to most normal activities immediately afterward.
Sclerotherapy is performed in our office by injecting a chemical substance called a sclerosant directly into the affected veins. The chemical causes the affected veins to harden from the inside out, so they can no longer fill with blood. The veins close off and are reabsorbed by your body over a few weeks to months.
Vein stripping and vein ligation are surgical techniques typically used to treat large varicose veins. In vein ligation, an incision is made over the varicose vein and the vein is tied off, or ligated. Vein stripping involves surgically removing the varicosed vessel from the body.
