What causes varicose veins?
As blood travels back to your heart through the veins in your legs, one-way valves open to let the blood flow up, then close to stop it from going back down. When a valve is weak or damaged, blood flows backward, a condition called venous reflux.
Chronic venous insufficiency develops as blood builds up below the valve. As a result, blood flow slows down, and pressure increases in the vein. The accumulating blood enlarges the vein, causing bulging and twisted varicose veins.
Over time, the problem worsens as the next valve below the damaged valve is weakened and pulled apart by the increased pressure.
What symptoms develop due to varicose veins?
Varicose veins typically cause one or more of these symptoms:
- Leg pain or throbbing
- Legs that feel achy, heavy, or tired
- Burning or itching
- Skin discoloration
- Skin rash
- Edema or leg swelling
- Bleeding due to vein rupture
As the vein wall stretches and pressure increases, varicose veins may rupture and start to bleed, sometimes heavily enough to prompt a visit to the emergency department. While the bleeding is usually controlled with pressure and elevating the leg, it’s still a good idea to schedule a checkup at Glow Health LLC Institute following a vein rupture.
Varicose veins are associated with complications, including superficial blood clots and a serious, nonhealing wound called a venous ulcer. Untreated varicose veins also increase your risk for deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
How are varicose veins treated?
As specialists in vein treatment, the doctors at Glow Health LLC Institute offer several minimally invasive and effective procedures for eliminating varicose veins. You’ll wear a compression bandage or stocking after your treatment. Otherwise, you can go home the same day and return to your normal daily activities.
Mini-phlebectomy or ambulatory phlebectomy
A mini-phlebectomy is an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia. Your doctor at Glow Health LLC Institute removes the varicose veins through punctures that are so small they don’t require stitches.
Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or endovenous laser therapy (EVLT™)
EVLA and EVLT refer to the same type of treatment. Your doctor administers a local anesthesia, then uses ultrasound to see your veins and guide a small laser fiber into the vein. As the fiber goes through the varicose vein, pulses of laser energy are released that close the vein. Over time, the vein shrinks and disappears.
Sclerotherapy
Your doctor uses a fine needle to inject a liquid or foam medication into the vein. The medication makes the vein collapse and develop a scar that’s gradually absorbed by your body.
Whether you want your varicose veins treated for cosmetic reasons, or need to have them removed due to pain and medical problems, call Glow Health LLC Institute or book an appointment online.
To reach us please dial this phone number: 201-445-4410
