What are varicose veins?

Veins carry blood to the heart through a one-way valve system. When there is a weakness in the vein wall or a faulty valve, the valve stretches and no longer closes properly. The veins become filled with blood that does not flow normally, causing pain, swelling, discoloration, sores that won’t heal, blood clots and other problems.

Veins channel blood to and from the heart by virtue of one-way valves. If these valves don’t function well, the blood does not flow efficiently. The veins then become enlarged because they are congested with blood. These enlarged veins are commonly called spider veins or varicose veins. Spider veins are small red, blue or purple veins on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are larger distended veins that are located somewhat deeper than spider veins.

What causes varicose and spider veins?

There are many factors that contribute to the development of these unsightly veins including pregnancy, weight gain, prolonged standing, and genetics.

Heredity is the number one contributing factor causing varicose and telangietasias, commonly referred to as spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from these abnormal leg veins. Up to 50% of American women may be affected. Hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and the use of birth control pills, estrogen, and progesterone affect the disease. It is very common for pregnant women to develop varicose veins during the first trimester. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume which in turn cause veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to pregnancy often improve within 3 months after delivery. However, with successive pregnancies, these abnormal veins are more likely to remain.

What are the symptoms?

Varicose and spider veins frequently cause pain in the affected area. Symptoms include fatigue, heaviness, aching, burning, throbbing, itching, cramping, and restlessness of the legs. Leg swelling can occur. Severe varicose veins can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammations or even ulcerations of the lower leg.

Vein disorders are not always visible; therefore diagnostic techniques are important tools in determining the cause and severity of the problem. In addition to a physical examinations, noninvasive ultrasound tests are often used.

What to expect?

You will come in for a complimentary consultation with one of the doctors who will proceed to do an evaluation of your veins to determine what treatment is best for you, depending on the severity of your vein problem.

A careful history and physical exam will be performed by the doctor. Some diagnostic testing may be necessary to complete diagnosis

The Vein and Laser Clinic offers state or the art diagnostic and therapeutic solutions in comfortable and aesthetic surroundings. Our medical staff evaluates and treats patients with vein problems, including:

• spider veins
• varicose veins
• pregnancy related vein problems
• leg pain, aching, itching, burning
  
  

Treatment

Based on your diagnosis, the doctor will determine the type of treatment necessary.

Treatments offered at The Vein and Laser Clinic include,

• Sclerotherapy
• Laser therapy
• EndoVenous laser treatment
  

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical technique that can treat most varicose and spider leg veins. A very fine needle is used to inject the veins with a specific solution that closes down the vein walls so that they stick together and are gradually reabsorbed by the body. The surface veins are no longer visible. With this procedure veins can be dealt with early on helping to prevent further complications. One to two weeks after treatment you may experience soreness, irritation, and/or bruising. Two weeks after treatment if you have any pinpoint discomfort or bruising you may be experiencing trapped blood, which is easily removed.

Each sclerotherapy treatment takes about 20 minutes. The number of treatments depends on the severity of the vein problem. You may resume normal activity immediately and exercising and walking are encouraged.

Laser Therapy

Spider Vein Removal with Laser

The newest medical laser provides safe and effective non-surgical treatment option for the removal of varicose and spider veins. Laser vein removal is surprisingly easy, fast and effective. Our medical staff is trained to use the best laser with the proper settings for each size vein and you can expect to return immediately to normal activities.

How is the treatment performed?

During the treatment you will feel a slight tingling sensation as light energy is delivered through a small laser hand piece to a targeted vein in a series of brief pulses. The light energy is absorbed by the lining of the blood vessels and the blood within the blood vessels, but not the surrounding tissue. The heat absorption causes a coagulation of the blood vessel, which is then absorbed by your body. The skin above the area may be irritated but this generally disappears over the next few days.

Varicose Vein Removal with Laser (Endovenous Laser Therapy EVLT)

How does EVLT works?

EVLT is a new non-surgical procedure that involves placing a small catheter inside the vein. The laser energy damages the vein walls. Shrinking them and closing the faulty
vein so that the blood cannot flow through it. This eliminates vein bulging at its source.

What are the complications of this procedure?

The only minimum complications experienced with EVLT have been a small number of cases of numbness that passes quickly.

How successful is EVLT?

Studies show that EVLT has 98% initial success rate with excellent long-term results