Vein Care Benefits

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted and bulging blood vessels just under the surface of your skin. They may look blue or purple and are often uncomfortable. Despite their unsightly appearance, they are not usually dangerous. But if they start to cause symptoms, like pain or tenderness in your legs, you should talk to your healthcare professional about treating them such as Center for Advanced Vein Care.

Varicose and spider veins are caused by weak or damaged valves. Blood vessels in your legs have to work against gravity to return blood back to the heart. If the valves don't function properly, the veins become enlarged and twist under the surface of your skin.

This condition can make your legs swollen and itch, and you may have painful bumps (varicose) or a throbbing feeling. Varicose and spider veins also can bleed or burst. If your varicose or spider veins are causing discomfort, you should see your healthcare professional.

There are several treatments for varicose and spider veins. They are different in how they work, but all help to close the diseased veins and re-route blood flow through healthy veins. They can be done in a doctor's office or at a hospital. Most are outpatient procedures, so you can go home the same day.

Your healthcare professional will examine your legs and ask you about your symptoms. They will also do a test called a venous Doppler ultrasound of your leg. This is a painless test that uses sound waves to check for abnormal veins in your leg.

Other tests that might be done include:

The goals of treatment are to reduce your symptoms and prevent complications. Symptoms usually get better after treatment. Treatment can also help prevent new varicose or spider veins from developing.

You can take steps to help reduce your varicose or spider veins at home. This includes elevating your legs above the level of your heart 3 or 4 times a day for 15 minutes at a time. It is especially important to do this when you are sitting or standing for long periods of time. You can also wear compression stockings, which squeeze your veins and keep blood from pooling.

These treatments are more effective for larger varicose veins that are causing symptoms. During the procedure, your healthcare professional will put a thin tube (catheter) into the enlarged vein through 1 small cut in your leg, usually in your groin. They will then use radiofrequency or laser energy to heat the tip of the catheter. This causes the vein to seal shut and stop leaking blood. Your surgeon will then remove the varicose vein through another small cut.

Other types of procedures for varicose and spider veins include sclerotherapy, which involves injecting chemicals into the affected veins. These causes your veins to scar, and eventually, the veins will fade. This type of treatment may need to be repeated.