• Prominent dark-blue blood vessels, especially in the legs and feet
• Aching, tender, heavy, or sore legs
• A burning feeling in your lower legs
• Swelling in the ankles or feet, especially after standing
• Breaks in the skin
• Itching around the vein
• Skin ulcers near your ankle – this is serious and requires immediate medical attention
Varicose veins develop when your veins stretch and their valves, which prevent blood from flowing backward, don’t work anymore. Primary varicose veins happen when the walls of your veins become weak. They occur commonly as we age, and also in women during pregnancy.
What Puts You At Risk for Varicose Veins
• Family history – if other members of your family have varicose veins, your risk is greater
• Female – three times more common among women
• Age – veins fail as we age
• Hormonal changes related to pregnancy, premenstrual period, and menopause
• Standing for long periods
• Obesity
• Certain diseases
If you have pain, burning, or sudden swelling associated with varicose veins, you should see your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam of your legs while you are standing. Your doctor also may do tests to see how well your veins are working and distinguish between primary and secondary varicose veins. Your doctor may also do an ultrasound test to look for blood clots.
In many cases, you can relieve pain from varicose veins on your own. This may involve avoiding long periods of sitting or standing, getting regular exercise, losing weight, elevating your legs periodically, and wearing compression stockings.
Regular exercise helps veins work better. Weight loss and exercise lower the likelihood of getting blood clots.
A doctor injects a solution into a varicose vein that scars and closes the vein then applies a compression dressing to make the vein disappear.
• Radiofrequency or ablation –
A catheter is threaded into the varicose veins to heat the vein wall, causing the vein to collapse and close.
• Stripping the vein –
Removing the vein through a series of incisions.
A vein specialist at VidaVascular can help you decide which treatment is most appropriate for your condition.
To schedule a free screening for this and other conditions at a Vida Vascular office in northern Virginia (convenient to Springfield, Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, Woodbridge), Maryland (convenient to National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Waldorf, La Plata, and Clinton), and Washington DC.
Call Us!: 866-800-2346
