Varicose veins are veins that can be disheartening and concerning. These veins protrude beneath the skin’s surface and most often appear from the legs, feet and ankles. While varicose veins can potentially be unsightly and uncomfortable, they aren’t dangerous for most people. However, they pose the risk of developing into a severe medical concern if left untreated and can potentially impact an individual’s self-esteem.
You don’t need to settle if you have varicose veins. Many treatments are available to remove unwanted varicose veins, improving your appearance and health in the long term. If you are a Norfolk, MA resident or surrounding cities, including Boston, Norwood or Franklin, and you struggle with varicose veins, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Specialty Vein Care to schedule a consultation.
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that may become gnarled and twisted over time. The valves in these veins stop working, which interferes with normal blood flow and results in the pooling of blood inside the veins. The condition is most commonly found in the legs, where blood flow has to work against gravity to move back up to the heart. However, varicose veins can also occur in other areas of the body.
Varicose veins appear as enlarged veins, or networks of veins, under the skin’s surface. Veins may appear to twist and protrude, creating bumps and ridges on the surface of the leg. In many cases, varicose veins appear without accompanying symptoms, creating nothing more than a cosmetic concern. However, many patients do experience uncomfortable symptoms of varicose veins, including:
In most cases, varicose veins do not pose a serious medical concern. However, rare instances may progress to more severe problems like skin ulcers and the formation of blood clots – a condition known as deep vein thrombosis. Patients with these developments require prompt medical attention to minimize the risk of a dangerous and even life-threatening situation.
At Specialty Vein Care, we have many treatment options available. During a consultation, Dr. John Frasca can determine what treatment best suits your varicose vein treatment needs. The treatments he performs include:
Sclerotherapy – Sclerotherapy is a treatment that involves injecting a sclerosing agent into the targeted vein. The solution causes the walls of the varicose vein to seal shut, causing blood to redirect to other, more healthy veins. Gradually, the body naturally absorbs the damaged varicose vein.
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy – While the overall process for ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is similar to traditional sclerotherapy, the treatment is most successful for more prominent veins that are further from the skin’s surface. The procedure utilizes ultrasound to detect the varicose vein and guide a fine needle into the detected vein.
Radiofrequency Endovenous Ablation – This minimally invasive treatment utilizes radiofrequency (RF) energy to treat varicose veins. During treatment, a catheter is inserted into the varicose vein that supplies uniform heat, causing the collagen in the vein walls to contract and eventually collapse and close. The remaining blood reroutes to healthier veins.
VenaSeal Closure Procedure – VenaSeal is the newest minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins. The treatment involves using ultrasound to determine the location of a varicose vein and where to place it. Once located, a specially formulated medical adhesive is applied to the vein through a catheter, causing it to close off, and the vein then gradually dies.
Ambulatory Microphlebectomy – This is a traditional procedure for removing varicose veins. The procedure involves making small incisions along the skin where the vein is located, and a small device is then utilized to remove the varicose vein. Compression stockings are often used after this treatment to accelerate the healing process and minimize bruising.
The formation of varicose veins can be dependent on several factors. However, you can make certain lifestyle changes to prevent or stave off their formation. Leading an active, healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep varicose veins from forming. This lifestyle includes the following:
Many factors can contribute to the development of varicose veins. However, there isn’t one singular factor that will determine if you will develop varicose veins. You can be exposed to all the risk factors and never develop varicose veins. Factors contributing to varicose vein development include age, genetics, obesity, injury, gender, pregnancy and lifestyle.
While varicose veins appear to be a cosmetic concern, they can potentially develop into a serious health issue if left untreated. When treatment is not performed, varicose veins can lead to increased leg swelling, leg throbbing and leg pain. The condition can also lead to an increase in spider veins and even more varicose veins. In the most severe cases, untreated varicose veins can develop into venous ulcers, which take months to heal.
Compression stockings are a very effective treatment for varicose veins. The direct pressure applied to the veins with these stockings prompts blood flow, reducing inflammation and ultimately preventing blood from accumulating. However, compression stockings are best utilized in tandem with other treatments.
Since varicose veins can potentially result from genetic predisposition, the chance for them to recur is possible. You will need only one treatment for your varicose vein, but subsequent treatments may need to occur if the concern arises again.
Patients often confuse these types of veins, believing that spider veins lead to varicose veins. These two vein types are unconnected. Spider veins are the result of much more mild swelling. While spider veins are darker and more visible than normal veins, they do not protrude nearly as much as varicose veins. Spider veins are also much less painful.
Varicose veins can develop into a troubling concern, but the good news is that they can be effectively treated to eliminate their appearance and painful symptoms. There are many options in varicose vein treatments, from traditional sclerotherapy to ablation involving radiofrequency waves to closure with adhesive medical glue. If you are ready to say goodbye to those unsightly veins, or if you are experiencing uncomfortable symptoms from your condition, contact Specialty Vein Care of the Norfolk, MA, region today to learn more about your choices in effective varicose vein treatment.
