Varicose Veins:
Causes, Symptoms,
and Treatment.
What is the Definition of Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins develop when the walls of a blood vessel weaken, allowing the vein to stretch to an abnormal shape and size. What causes the walls to weaken? Often, it’s when a valve inside the vein fails to direct blood flow correctly, resulting in excess intravenous pressure. Varicose veins are a common problem, but fortunately, there are simple solutions.
- You can spot a varicose vein by its raised or twisted shape. They’re often larger and appear more vibrantly colored than other veins, since they collect more blood.
- Who is at risk for varicose veins? Over 30% of the adult population is susceptible and females are at higher risk. Obesity, genetics, pregnancy, aging, smoking, and jobs that keep you on your feet increase your propensity for varicosities.
- Since standing and walking increase pressure on our blood vessels, varicose veins develop in the legs and pelvic region more often than other parts of the body.
- For most patients, the biggest concern is how these veins look. But varicose veins can also cause frustrating symptoms and might signify vein disease or an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. Both the appearance and causation are easily treated with minimally invasive procedures at Long Island Vein Centers.
- The disease called chronic venous insufficiency often causes varicose veins, which is something our vein specialists in Long Island treat.
What Are the Risk Factors for Varicose Veins?
What Symptoms Occur with Varicose Veins?
- Muscle cramps, soreness, and aching in your legs
- Protruding, contorted veins beneath the skin’s surface
- Itchy skin near the veins (venous eczema or stasis dermatitis)
- Swelling in your lower extremities after standing
- Recurrent leg fatigue or heaviness
- Tingling or crawling leg sensations (Restless Legs Syndrome)
- Spider veins in close proximity to varicose veins
- Brownish or bluish discoloration on legs or feet
- Inflammation of the fat layer under the skin (Lipodermatosclerosis)
What Are the Causes of Varicose Veins?
Treatments for Varicose Veins:
If you’re considering varicose vein treatment, you’ll be pleased to know there are several quick and gentle options. The right solution is determined by your individual vein anatomy. Your symptoms, preferences, skin changes, connections between damaged and deeper veins, and medical history determine the best course of treatment. Our vein doctors in Long Island take a highly customized approach.
How Long Island Vein Centers Diagnoses Varicose Veins and Selects Treatments
Are Varicose Vein Treatments Safe?
Treatment Options Include:
- Elevating legs while sleeping and taking breaks from prolonged standing
- Wearing compression stockings to reduce swelling and pressure
- Liquid or Foam Sclerotherapy: doctors inject a sclerosant (irritant) into a varicose vein to prompt its collapse
- Thermal Ablаtіоn: doctors use radiofrequency or lasers to heat and destroy the vein, so proper blood flow resumes
- Stripping surgеrу (Phlebectomy): doctors surgically remove thе entire vаrісоѕе vеіn using hooks or wires
NOTE: The vein specialists at Long Island Vein Centers recommend Sclerotherapy or Radiofrequency Ablation for most patients.