Varicose Veins Q & A
What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted blood vessels that bulge above the skin’s surface. Though many people view varicose veins as a cosmetic concern, they’re a sign that the veins are failing to maintain normal blood flow. When varicose veins go untreated, they can lead to complications such as chronic venous insufficiency.

How do varicose veins and spider veins differ?

Spider veins are tiny veins that are close to the skin’s surface. As the veins enlarge, they take on a red, blue, or purplish weblike appearance.

Unlike varicose veins, spider veins truly are a cosmetic problem. Spider veins seldom cause pain, but they’re unsightly,so many patients choose to have them removed.

What causes varicose veins?

The veins in your legs use one-way valves to keep blood flowing up the leg and toward your heart. When a valve becomes weak or damaged, it allows blood to reflux, go back down the leg, and pool in the vein. This condition is called venous insufficiency.

Your risk of developing varicose veins increases if you:

Have a family history of varicose veins
Sit or stand for long periods of time
Are overweight or obese
Have a history of smoking or currently smoke
Have a history of injuring your leg
Don’t get enough exercise
Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and menopause, as well as hormonal treatments may also increase your risk of varicose veins.

What symptoms develop due to varicose veins?

Many patients experience symptoms such as:

Leg pain
Leg swelling
Leg fatigue
Legs that feel heavy or achy
Restless legs
Itchy legs
Burning legs
Muscle cramps
Burning and tingling sensations
Skin discoloration
Varicose veins and venous insufficiency get progressively worse, leading to venous ulcers in your lower legs and around your ankles.

How are varicose veins treated?

After performing a physical exam and diagnostic imaging, Dr. Patel recommends treatment to reduce the backward flow of blood, alleviate your symptoms, stop disease progression, and eliminate your varicose veins.

Your treatment may include one of several in-office procedures such as:

Sclerotherapy

Dr. Patel injects a type of medication called a sclerosing agent into your varicose veins, which makes the vein walls collapse. Your body gradually eliminates the treated veins and reroutes blood through healthy veins, restoring normal blood flow and preventing venous insufficiency.

Endovenous microfoam ablation

After Dr. Patel injects a microfoam containing polidocanol, the foam fills the vein and the medication collapses the vein walls.

ClosureFast™ procedure

ClosureFast uses radiofrequency energy to heat and close the targeted vein. This minimally invasive procedure:

Uses local anesthesia

Only requires one week of wearing compression stockings
Causes less pain compared to laser treatment
Allows a quicker recovery compared to laser treatment
ClosureFast has a long history of safely and effectively eliminating varicose veins in more than 2 million people.

VenaSeal™

VenaSeal is an injectable medical adhesive that seals the vein walls together. The vein walls stay sealed permanently, and the blood vessel returns to its normal size, so your varicose vein is diminished. This outpatient procedure promotes a faster recovery than you have with thermal ablation and you don’t need to wear compression stockings.

If you’re tired of unsightly varicose veins or you want to eliminate painful symptoms, call Premier Vascular or book an appointment online.