|
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Kevin Haney from the MANA Vein Care Center answers questions about Varicose Veins.
- What are varicose veins and what causes them?
Varicose veins are abnormal veins that can occur in the legs. Veins normally carry blood in the legs to the heart. As you walk your calf and thigh muscles squeeze the veins, massaging the blood towards the heart with every step you take. One-way valves inside the veins allow the blood to only move towards the heart.
In varicose veins these valves become weak and fail allowing the blood above the valves to reflux, falling back down into the veins below. The extra blood in the vein causes the vein to swell. Over time, inflammation from the vein can cause the overlying skin to thin, darken, and ulcerate. The slow moving blood is at greater risk of developing a clot.
While many people think that varicose veins are simply a cosmetic issue, there is in fact often an underlying medical problem that causes varicose veins. This medical condition is called venous reflux disease. Treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. Varicose vein treatment is covered by most insurances.
- How common are varicose veins and venous reflux disease?
Varicose veins are a common medical condition. It is estimated that 25 million people in the United States and 40 million people in Europe suffer from painful symptoms of varicose veins caused by venous reflux disease.
People with varicose veins frequently say that their legs feel "full" or tired, or are heavy, itch or throb. Varicose veins can be painful. Sometimes people with varicose veins experience swelling of the legs or ankles. Left untreated, the signs and symptoms of varicose veins can also include skin changes such as discoloration, inflammation and even ulcers.
- Am I at risk for developing varicose veins?
Varicose veins are often common within families. Also, people who stand for long periods of time or perform heavy lifting, women who have had multiple pregnancies, and those who are obese may be more at risk for varicose veins.
- How do these doctors treat varicose veins?
Each person’s vein problem is unique. The types and severity and locations of varicose veins on your legs will be unique. But a vein specialist is trained to provide a treatment plan that is specific for you. The good news is that today, varicose vein patients have a choice. Patients no longer have to undergo painful “vein stripping“ in the hospital. Vein ablation is a minimally invasive procedure to treat varicose veins done in the doctor’s office under local anesthesia. Patients are able to walk immediately after the procedure and can return to work the next day.
- What is the difference between spider veins and varicose veins?
If the veins that swell were already larger "trunk" veins they become varicose veins. If the veins are smaller and more in the surface of the skin they become spider veins. It is essentially the same disease affecting different size vessels. Some patients get only spider veins, some get only varicose veins, many get a combination of both.
- Why did the veins start to appear or worsen during my pregnancy?
High levels of estrogen during pregnancy is part of the reason as well as the fact the woman’s circulating blood volume surges immensely during pregnancy to supply the baby and placenta and this stresses veins already genetically predisposed to fail. The baby pressing on the large vein in the abdomen (inferior vena cava) actually has not been shown to contribute to the development of varicose veins.
To prevent varicose veins during pregnancy -- or at least keep them under control -- try to prevent excess pressure from building up, especially in your legs. To improve circulation, prop your legs up whenever possible, exercise, avoid tight clothes and shoes, get lots of vitamin C, and try not to gain more weight than your doctor recommends. Support hose can also help, as can sleeping on your left side (so your uterus doesn’t press on the vena cava, a major vein on your right side).
- My varicose and spider veins are getting worse. Is there a reason for this?
Vein disease is a chronic and gradually progressive disease. As more and more valves fail within veins more and larger veins appear. The reason that it frequently appears that older individuals have worse vein disease is that they simply have had it longer. It is important to know that venous reflux is a progressive disease. That means that if left untreated, it can progress to more serious symptoms. Varicose veins caused by venous reflux disease will not go away by themselves.
- What kind of complications can come from untreated veins?
Pain, dermatitis, ulcer, and phlebitis or blood clot are the most common complications of untreated vein disease. The irritation from stagnant blood first causes pain. Pain can occur in either spider vein or varicose vein disease. In large varicose vein disease you can also over time have the constant irritation and inflammation lead to redness or darkening of the skin over the veins. The skin can then thin and ultimately ulcerate. Whenever any skin changes occur in large vein disease the disease is already well advanced and should be treated. Blood that is slow moving or stagnant relative to normally circulating blood in veins is more likely to form blood clots.
- What can I expect at the free vein screening?
Free screenings are to determine if you have varicose veins or spider veins. If you have large, ropy veins, these are varicose veins and Dr. Haney can do a full evaluation to determine the course of treatment you need. If you are unsure if you have spider veins or varicose veins, call to schedule a free vein screening.
- Will insurance cover my procedure?
Spider vein treatments are cosmetic and not typically covered by insurance. Treatment for varicose veins are often covered by your insurance plan.
Dr. Haney and the MANA Vein Care center can evaluate your veins and give you a course of action for treatment. Call today to schedule your free screening.
|
