Varicose veins are enlarged veins most often found in the legs. These veins develop when faulty valves in the veins allow blood to pool in the leg veins. These veins can appear enlarged, swollen, twisting, and blue or purple in color. Patients may experience aching legs, swollen ankles, and spider veins. Some patients with advanced disease may experience skin discoloration, itching, and pain in the legs.
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.
Surgical and Other Procedures:
- Sclerotherapy –
A doctor injects a solution into a varicose vein that scars and closes the vein, then applies a compression dressing, in order 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
Visit us:- https://www.vidavascular.com/vascular-center/
