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If you suffer from problems related to varicose and spider veins, you are not alone. More than 50 million Americans suffer from some form of venous disorder. While some seek treatment for cosmetic improvements, others are looking for symptomatic relief. Whichever category you may be in, there is help available.
 Varicose Veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. Normal veins contain one-way valves that channel oxygen-poor blood back to the heart and lungs to become oxygen rich. When a valve becomes defective it allows blood flow to leak down and collect, resulting in congestion and dilation of the vein.
 Spider Veins or broken capillaries are small red, blue, or purple web-like or linear veins (less than 2mm in diameter, flat or raised) on the surface of the skin. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short jagged lines. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face. They can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.
- Swelling in the legs and/or ankles
- Cramping and restlessness of the leg
- Darkening of the skin (severe cases)
- Numbness in the legs
- Itching or irritated rash in the legs
- Ulceration/bleeding (severe cases)
Some common symptoms of varicose veins include:
- Aching pain
- Fatigue
- Burning
- Throbbing
- Easily tired legs
- Leg heaviness
Many factors increase a person's chances of developing varicose or spider veins. These include:
- Increasing Age
- Having family members with vein problems or being born with weak vein valves.
- Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone also increase the risk of varicose or spider veins.
- Pregnancy. During pregnancy there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. A growing number of abnormal veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy.
- Obesity, leg injury, prolonged standing and other things that weaken vein valves.
- Heavy lifting & carrying
- Smoking
- Sun exposure, which can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person.
Besides a physical exam, your doctor can take ultrasound pictures of the vein to find the cause and severity of the problem. Talk to your doctor about what treatment options are best for your condition and lifestyle. Not all cases of varicose veins are the same.
With this surgery, a special light source marks the location of the vein. Tiny cuts are made in the skin, and surgical hooks pull the vein out of the leg. This surgery requires local or regional anesthesia. The vein usually is removed in one treatment. Very large varicose veins can be removed with this treatment while leaving only very small scars. Patients can return to normal activity the day after treatment. Ambulatory phlebectomy is the preferred surgical treatment for branched varicose veins.
Ligation and stripping surgery generally takes one to two hours and is performed in the hospital or outpatient surgery center. Patients return home but also may be hospitalized overnight. Usually, this procedure requires only two small hidden incisions – one in the pubic area and the other in the inside of the leg by the knee or, rarely, at the ankle. During surgery, damaged branches of the main vein can also be removed.
This is the most common treatment for both spider veins and varicose veins. The doctor injects a solution into the vein that causes the vein walls to swell, stick together, and seal shut. This stops the flow of blood and the vein turns into scar tissue. In a few weeks, the vein should fade. The same vein may need to be treated more than once.
This treatment is very effective if done the right way. Most patients can expect a 50% to 90% improvement. Micro-sclerotherapy uses special solutions and injection techniques that increase the success rate for removal of spider veins. Sclerotherapy does not require anesthesia, and can be done in the doctor's office.
The Venacure laser is a minimally invasive in-office procedure that is an alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small catheter is inserted through needle puncture in the skin into the damaged vein. The laser fiber is then inserted into the vein and goes up to the groin area. The doctor then numbs the vein and begins lasering the vein using the catheter. The laser’s targeted energy heats and seals the vein shut. This procedure takes approximately 30 minutes and is performed using a local anesthetic. The patient is immediately able to walk and ready to resume normal activities.
Current treatments for varicose veins and spider veins have very high success rates compared to traditional surgical treatments. Over a period of years, however, more abnormal veins can develop. The major reason for this is that there is no cure for weak vein valves. So with time, pressure gradually builds up in the leg veins. Ultrasound can be used to keep track of how badly the valves are leaking (venous insufficiency). Ongoing treatment can help keep this problem under control.
The single most important thing a person can do to slow down the development of new varicose veins is to wear graduated compression support stockings as much as possible during the day.
For a free vein screening call 406-728-0285 or send an email. |
