Leg Veins and Treatment Options
If you suffer from problems related to varicose and spider veins, you are not alone. More than 50 million Americans suffer from some form of venous disorder. While some seek improvement, others are looking for symptomatic relief. Whichever category you may be in, there is help available.
What are Varicose and Spider Veins?
Varicose veins are swollen and/or stretched veins, which protrude in a ropelike manor from the skin. Normal healthy veins, by virtue of one-way valves, channel oxygen-poor blood back to the heart and lungs become oxygen rich. Varicose veins occur when a valve in these veins malfunctions. When this occurs the valve may be unable to close fully, allowing blood which should be flowing towards the heart to leak backwards. This leaking of blood back down the vein leads to pooling in the vessel which allows them to become enlarged and varicosed.
Spider veins or broken capillaries properly names telangiectasis are small red, blue, or purple web-like or linear veins (less than 2 mm in diameter, flat or raised) on the surface of the skin.
In addition to being unsightly and often embarrassing, varicose and spider veins can be symptomatic. Pain in the legs is frequently related to those abnormal leg veins. Symptoms, often made worse by prolonged standing or sitting include fatigue, heaviness, aching, burning, throbbing, itching, cramping and restlessness of the leg. In advanced cases, varicose veins can lead to skin rash, pigmentation changes, inflammation, ulceration and bleeding.
Why me?
Heredity is the number one contributing factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from these abnormal leg veins. Up to 50% of American women may be affected. Hormonal factors include pregnancy, leg injury, and obesity, lack of exercise, weight fluctuation, constriction and long periods of sitting or standing.
When and how are veins treated?
At the Vein Institute of Pittsburgh success in the treatment of varicose and spider veins is due to our comprehensive approach.
After obtaining a comprehensive medical history and performing a physical examination, patients may be required to undergo a noninvasive venous mapping using Doppler ultrasound. This is used to determine areas and degree of venous disease. Based upon the information gathered in the venous Doppler an individualized treatment plan best for each patient's level of disease.
There are many treatment options; they can be classified into two forms:
- Supportive measures, which include (the 5 E's) - exercise, elevation, emollient (moisturizing lotion), elastic support hose, and evaluate.
- Corrective measures include minimally invasive procedures - sclerotherapy, laser, ambulatory phlebectomy (removal of veins through tiny incisions), and Endovenous laser ablation procedure (sealing the greater saphenous vein by laser.
