Varicose Veins

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, bluish, or twisted veins that often appear on your legs. They develop for a variety of reasons and can feel painful or make you feel self-conscious. Fortunately, Commonwealth Vein Center offers a variety of treatments that get rid of varicose veins.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Common signs and symptoms you could experience if you have varicose veins include:

• Blue or purple visible veins
• Bulging or twisted veins
• Cord-like veins
• Leg aching
• Burning
• Throbbing discomfort
• Cramping
• Leg swelling
• Itchy skin
• Skin discoloration

Pain due to varicose veins might get worse after sitting or standing for long periods. Complications that could appear with untreated varicose veins include blood clots, ulcers, and bleeding. See a vein specialist if your veins are unsightly or uncomfortable. 

What are the risk factors for varicose veins?

Varicose and spider veins can happen to anyone, but some factors increase your risk of getting them. Examples include:

• Being a women
• Pregnancy
• Aging
• Obesity
• Standing a lot
• Sitting for long time periods
• Family history of varicose veins

Ways to reduce the risk of developing varicose veins include watching your weight, eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise, not wearing high heels or tight hosiery, elevating your legs, and not sitting or standing for long periods.

How does my doctor diagnose varicose veins?

Your vein specialist diagnoses varicose veins after reviewing your symptoms and medical history and examining the affected veins. They could suggest you undergo a vascular ultrasound to detect or rule out additional vascular problems. 

Untreated chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition that occurs when damaged leg veins reduce blood flow back to your heart, is a common cause of varicose veins.

How are varicose veins treated?

Common treatments for varicose veins include:

Lifestyle changes

Adopting healthy habits and maintaining an ideal body weight is a good way to reduce the risk of varicose veins.

Compression stockings

Wearing compression stockings puts pressure on your legs and stimulates better blood flow to reduce varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy (Varithena®)

During sclerotherapy, your provider injects varicose veins with a solution that causes them to scar and close, allowing blood to reroute to healthier, nearby veins. 

Laser and radiofrequency treatments

Your vein specialist offers laser and radiofrequency energy to disrupt veins, causing them to fade and disappear over time.

VenaSeal™ 

VenaSeal uses a medical adhesive to close diseased veins and reroute blood flow to healthier veins. 

ClariVein®

ClariVein is a specialty infusion catheter containing a rotating wire tip designed to destroy diseased veins and make them disappear over time.

Surgery

For larger veins or those that haven’t gone away with other treatments, your Commonwealth  Vein Center provider can remove diseased veins using a minor surgical procedure. They first numb the treatment area so you don’t feel any discomfort.

Don’t live with varicose veins when you don’t have to. Call Commonwealth Vein Center or schedule an appointment online today.