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Varicose Veins

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If you have varicose veins, we are here at Physicians Vein Clinics to create a treatment plan that fits your needs and relieves your symptoms. Our patients come to us with leg discomfort, swelling, visible vein changes and other symptoms that affect their lives. We take the time to listen and evaluate each situation, with the help of diagnostic testing, to understand what is happening beneath the surface.

All of our treatments are minimally invasive, and we always adopt the latest treatments so you have access to the best vein care. We would love to hear from you at 888-782-8346 or through our website.

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are caused by the pooling of blood in the veins when valves become weakened or damaged. While they can be a sign of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), not all individuals with CVI have large, bulging veins on the surface of their skin.

Varicose veins are most frequently found in the legs since blood is forced to travel against gravity, increasing pressure on the veins. Both men and women are susceptible to vein disease because of genetics and other factors.

Here are visual demonstrations of leg veins:

Causes and Risk Factors of Varicose Veins

Genetics

If your parents, siblings or grandparents have them, you’re more likely to suffer from vein disease at some point in your life.

Pregnancy

Some pregnant women develop varicose veins during their pregnancy because of extra blood volume and pressure on the veins. The risk of developing chronic venous insufficiency increases with each pregnancy, so it is important to learn to care for your vein health during this time. Varicose veins can be treated even before you are done having children. To learn more about preventative care and treatments during and after pregnancy, go here.

Extra Body Weight

Obesity is a common cause of varicose veins. Extra weight puts pressure on the vein valves and hinders blood flow.

Age

As people get older, the vein valves weaken, which causes blood to pool and then develop vein problems. It’s very common to develop vein problems at ages over 50.

Sitting/Standing for Extended Periods

Being in the same position for a prolonged period puts pressure on the blood vessels. Your leg veins rely in part on movement and muscle contraction to push blood back up toward your heart. Without movement, valves can weaken, and pressure can build inside the veins.

Physicians Vein Clinics

Varicose Vein Signs and Symptoms

Many people are bothered strictly by the appearance of vein problems and associate it with purple or blue, ropey veins which can easily be seen under the skin; however, some veins lie deep beneath the skin’s surface and are invisible to the naked eye. In this case, pay attention to the following symptoms:

  • Restless legs
  • Leg heaviness
  • Spider veins
  • Leg aching
  • Leg ulcers
  • Ankle and leg swelling
  • Skin discoloration
  • Itching and burning
  • Skin rash like eczema
  • Muscle cramping

Treatment Options for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are more dangerous than spider veins. Without proper treatment, they can worsen. Treatment includes lifestyle changes, non-invasive laser treatment or conservative therapy and medicines.

There is no best-for-all treatment. Depending on your general health and age, physicians will recommend a customized treatment plan, which can be a combination of different procedures. If your vein disease is cosmetic, you might not need any treatment at all. At our veins clinic, we use the most advanced procedures:

Conservative Therapy

Most of the time, our vein specialist will start your vein treatment with conservative therapy. The treatment is focused more on lifestyle changes. Low-intensity exercising, weight control, comfortable clothes and leg elevation can relieve leg pain and prevent the development of varicose veins. Wearing compression stockings is often also the first approach to treating varicose veins. Compression socks improve leg circulation, and we use prescription-grade garments with 20-30mmHg of compression or more. The amount of compression depends on your vein conditions and varies by type and brand.

Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation

Endovenous radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment used to close larger veins that are not functioning properly. During treatment, we use ultrasound imaging to guide a thin catheter into the vein. Next, we deliver heat through the catheter, which causes the vein walls to collapse and seal.

VenaSeal

VenaSeal encourages blood flow through healthier veins by closing the varicose veins with a medical glue. Once the veins are closed, the body can break them down and eliminate them. This method often comes with reduced recovery time compared to other methods.

Sclerotherapy

With Sclerotherapy, the vein physician injects a solution or foam into the faulty veins. In a few weeks, varicose veins will go away. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that doesn’t require hospital stays. It can be done in your doctor’s office.

Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy

Using ultrasound imaging, we place a medicated foam solution into the problem vein. The foam interacts with the vein lining to make it close and gradually fade. We can accurately treat deeper veins with this sclerotherapy method.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

During an Ambulatory Phlebectomy procedure, our physician removes smaller varicose veins through a series of tiny skin punctures. The procedure uses local anesthesia. Downtime is minimal.

Varicose Veins Prevention

Though vein disease is not 100% preventable due to hereditary factors, the following procedures can help you to prevent the progression of varicose veins:

  • Wear compression stockings when you will be sitting or standing for extended periods, on long travel days, during prolonged inactivity, or when your vein doctor recommends. We prescribe graduated compression stockings for those who need them.
  • Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
  • Avoid sitting or standing for long periods. A 5-minute walk once per hour is recommended. Pointing your legs and feet often will also help.
  • Elevate your legs whenever possible.

Read More: 3 Foods to Prevent Varicose Veins.

Find a Varicose Veins Doctor Near Me

When you need a treatment for varicose veins, experience matters. At Physicians Vein Clinics, you are cared for by board-certified doctors who focus on vein disease every day. Our treatments are performed in accredited office settings using only minimally invasive techniques that do not require sedation or extended downtime. Our vascular technicians, registered nurses and support staff all work together to provide a supportive and patient-centered experience.

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Why Physicians Vein Clinics

  • Board-certified vein specialists who diagnose and treat vein disease every day
  • 14 convenient vein centers across South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Minnesota
  • All vein treatments are minimally invasive and performed in-office with little to no downtime
  • Free vein screening available with no referral required, and most insurance plans accepted

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are varicose veins dangerous?

They can pose a serious medical condition if left untreated. The consequences can include a blood clot, infection, bleeding, ulcers, pain, along with other health issues.

Are varicose vein treatments covered by insurance?

Varicose veins are usually considered vein disease, which is covered by most insurance plans. Book a free screening with us to learn if you are eligible for insurance coverage. If you are not, we offer financing option including GreenSky and CareCredit payments.

Why do varicose veins sometimes appear during pregnancy?

Varicose veins will usually appear in the legs and buttocks during prengancy. The uterus creates pressure on the large veins, which carry blood from the legs to the heart. Though not dangerous, the varicose veins can cause pain and discomfort to pregnant women.

Can varicose veins cause high blood pressure?

Though high blood pressure can cause varicose veins, the reverse remains unknown. Without proper treatment, they can lead to many health issues. Consult with a vein doctor to learn about your overall health risks.

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