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| 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. | |||
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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. Your insurance company will usually cover treatment of your varicose veins if they cause significant symptoms and if you have attempted conservative treatment for 3-6 months sometime in the past without relief (elevation, compression stockings, exercise and weight control). The Cause: Incompetent faulty valves in your veins result in Reflux (downward, backwards blood flow in veins) and lead to varicose veins. |
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| 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. |  |
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| 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. |
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| Click here to view more before and after images. | |||
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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. |
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