Varicose veins are veins that have become twisted and enlarged. Any superficial vein can become varicose, but this condition usually occurs in the feet and lower legs. While some disordered veins are benign, they can cause very serious problems. Today, our vascular specialists at VENUS Vein Clinic in Omaha, NE, are looking at whether you should be concerned about disordered veins and what you can do to treat them. Let’s get started.
Should You Be Worried About Varicose Veins?
If you have recently noticed veins that you believe are varicose, you don’t need to worry. You need to schedule an appointment with a vascular specialist who can diagnose your condition and advise you on the next best steps. At first, you may notice no symptoms besides your visibly bulging, twisted veins. You may also notice discoloration in the disordered vein or nearby skin.
To be clear, even if your condition is causing cosmetic problems now, it is very important that you schedule an appointment with a vascular specialist. If you leave your disordered veins untreated, more symptoms could develop, including:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Itchiness
- Heaviness
- Achiness
- General discomfort
- Cramps
- Dry skin
- Burning
- Throbbing
What Complications May Arise Over Time?
Some of the most common varicose vein complications include bleeding, blood clots, and ulcers. If one of your disordered veins bursts, you will probably only experience mild bleeding. However, regardless of the severity of your internal bleeding, you will need to seek medical attention right away. Blood clots are usually only a concern when the disordered vein is deep rather than superficial. Chronic pain and swelling are the two most common warning signs of a blood clot.
Finally, very painful ulcers may develop on the skin near disordered veins. This is most common around the ankles, but it can happen anywhere a vein has become varicose. Schedule an appointment with a vascular specialist as soon as possible if you notice skin discoloration near a disordered vein. The discolored spot may be a warning sign that an ulcer is about to form.
How Can This Condition Be Treated?
We offer several FDA-approved minimally-invasive treatment methods for this type of vein disorder. Some of the most popular include sclerotherapy, ambulatory phlebectomy, and radiofrequency ablation. Here’s a closer look at three of our most popular treatment methods.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a minimally-invasive treatment method that has been used for years to help people with disordered veins restore their confidence and quality of life. During this quick, painless treatment, the skin in your problem area will be sterilized, and a sclerosant solution will be injected into the disordered vein. Included in this solution is a gentle, highly effective anesthetic that will keep you comfortable during the treatment.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Ambulatory phlebectomy also has a very long track record for treating varicose veins effectively. During this treatment, tiny punctures are made in your skin after it has been cleaned and numbed. Through these punctures, the disordered veins are removed. You do not need to wait to enjoy the results of this treatment, but you will need to take two or three days off from work to recover, and you will need to stick to only light physical activity during the first-week post-treatment.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Ambulatory phlebectomy is a great option for the treatment of small disordered veins. If you have large disordered veins, radiofrequency ablation may be a better fit for you. This treatment involves sterilizing your skin, numbing it, incising it, and inserting a catheter into the incision. Once the catheter is in place, the tip will be heated by radiofrequency energy.
This energy destroys the walls of the disordered vein. They collapse in on themselves, sealing the vein shut. Once the vein is closed, no blood can pass through it. Eventually, it will starve to death, and your body will take care of the dead tissue. You will need to wear compression stockings for at least a week after your treatment, but you won’t need to take several days off from work. Results become apparent 10 to 14 days after treatment.
How Can I Prevent Future Varicose Veins From Developing?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent the formation of varicose veins because some risk factors are immutable. For instance, you can’t do anything about your family medical history, sex, or age. However, you can reduce the likelihood that your veins will become varicose in the future.
One of the most effective steps you can take to mitigate your risk of disordered veins is to have an active lifestyle. If you have a sedentary job, regardless of whether you sit or stand for long periods at work, you should make sure you get at least 2.5 hours of moderate cardio weekly.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Varicose veins can cause frustrating symptoms, like itchiness, swelling, pain, and skin discoloration. When left untreated, serious complications may arise. If you’re worried about your disordered veins, there are several treatment methods that can help. Contact us now at VENUS Vein Clinic in Omaha, NE, to schedule your initial consultation and find out how we can treat your disordered veins.