Suite 300
Fairbanks, Alaska
907-452-VEIN (8346)
Dr. Don Ives, MD
Spider Veins
Spider veins or telangiectasias are small varicose veins located just beneath the skin. They are a problem for millions of people. You are not alone in your desire to rid yourself of these painful and unsightly veins. They may be inherited from your parents and may worsen with weight gain, pregnancy or simply for no identifiable reason.
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Venous Reflux
Venous insufficiency and reflux (backwards flow of blood in veins) occurs in nearly 50% of adults to some degree and many suffer from pain, swelling and varicose veins. Complications include permanent darkening of the skin, bleeding, phlebitis (clots) and formation of non-healing ulcers and infection.
Spider veins can be successfully treated with injection sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is the most popular method of eliminating spider veins.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are superficial veins that have enlarged due to increased pressure in your veins caused by incompetent, or leaking, valves that are much larger than spider veins. They are a problem for millions of adults. You are not alone in your desire to rid yourself of these unsightly and painful veins. You may have had them for years or they may have just recently become a problem for you.
Varicose veins occur for a number of reasons including age, prior pregnancy, weight gain, hereditary factors and prolonged periods of standing.
Varicose veins may cause an aching feeling in your legs or may result in pain, swelling, skin discoloration or even ulcers. They may be related to an underlying medical problem known as venous insufficiency or reflux (backwards blood flow in the veins). The disease is typically progressive and can eventually involve the entire saphenous vein (the vein that runs under your skin along your calf and thigh) as well as many of its branches if it is not treated.
The Cause: Incompetent faulty valves in your veins result in Reflux (downward, backwards blood flow in veins) and lead to varicose veins.
Veins in your legs are tubes that carry blood from your feet toward your heart. One-way valves are located inside your veins and should only allow blood to flow up, out of your legs and back to your heart. When valves go bad for different reasons, blood flows backwards and builds up or pools in your leg veins. The backwards flow of blood in your veins is known as reflux and places excess pressure on the vein walls. This causes veins to expand and become varicose and can result in leg swelling, permanent skin changes and non-healing ulcers as pressure is transferred to the skin.
In the case of varicose veins (big bulging rope-like veins visible on the skin), they are often related to leaking valves in the Saphenous Vein (the vein which is just under the skin and runs along the inside of your calf and thigh).
Should an ultrasound confirm reflux in the saphenous system, a procedure called Endovenous Laser Ablation or Closure can be used to eliminate the underlying reflux by closing off the leaking vein which is the source of the problem.
Varicose veins may not require any treatment at all if they do not bother you and they don’t cause any symptoms of aching, swelling or skin changes. Conservative treatment includes life-style changes such as weight loss, exercise, elevation, and compression stockings. These methods have proven successful in reducing the pressure that builds up in your veins and can improve your symptoms.
Prescription strength compression stockings aid in the treatment of varicose veins by helping squeeze the blood back out of your legs, preventing congestion. This may relieve discomfort but patient compliance is very difficult. Ideally, compression stockings should be worn all day until you are able to elevate your legs at night. Patients routinely complain of heat and difficulty placing the stockings. However, they certainly do reduce discomfort and swelling associated with venous reflux and varicose veins.
Fig. 2 shows more advanced disease with increased pigmentation, eczema and swelling. This stage of disease is very likely to progress if left untreated.
Fig.3 shows one of the worst complications of varicose veins and valvular reflux if left untreated. This is called a venous stasis ulcer and typically takes months to heal and is associated with significant pain and risk for infection.
Insurance companies have recognized saphenous reflux and painful varicose veins to be medically necessary if you have attempted conservative treatment for 3-6 months in the past:
* Compression Stockings
* Exercise
* Weight Control
* Elevation
Facial Veins & Port Wine Birthmarks
Many skin conditions are the result of abnormal blood vessels. These include conditions such as angiomas, hemangiomas, spider veins on the face and legs, inflammatory acne, psoriasis and warts. Some conditions, such as fine wrinkles and uneven pigmentation, result from extensive sun damage. All of these conditions can be treated with a vascular laser.
The cause is associated with a deficiency or absence in the nerve supply to the blood vessels of the affected area. These nerves control the diameter of the blood vessels. If the nerves are absent or defective, the vessels will continue to dilate and blood will pool or collect in the affected area. The result will be a visible birth mark.
At Laser Vein Center of Fairbanks, we utilize the latest in surface laser treatment called Cynosure®.