Do You Have Vein Disease?
Vein disease is common among Americans, and fortunately, there are several treatment options available. If you think you may have vein disease, talk to your doctor right away. Your doctor may complete a physical exam to determine if you are experiencing swelling in your legs or order an ultrasound to see if the valves in your veins are functioning properly. Once diagnosed, you will want to see a specialist for vein treatments.
Although many people associate vein disease with the unsightly appearance of dark veins appearing through the skin, several other symptoms and complications can occur. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms in your legs, vein disease may be the cause:
- Fatigue
- Throbbing
- Aching
- Cramping
- Swelling
- Itching
- Heaviness
- Burning
- Tingling
- Restlessness
These symptoms can often be triggered or become worse by prolonged sitting or standing, cold or hot weather, during your menstrual cycle, or if you are pregnant.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins occur when the valves in the veins malfunction and cause the blood to flow in the wrong direction, prompting the blood to pool. The veins then become enlarged due to the increased pressure and filling. These expanded veins can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation, skin damage, blood clots, or even ulcers. At times, varicose veins can cause fluid to leak out of the skin and cause painful or uncomfortable swelling. Varicose veins range in size and severity and there are several vein treatments available.
Spider Veins
Also known as telangiectasia, spider vines are small enlarged veins near the top of the skin. These stretched veins can bleed and be painful or become irritated from normal activities. These veins are commonly found in the face, legs, and ankles, but they can develop anywhere on the body.
Spider veins are similar to smaller varicose veins and are often treated through the same treatment methods, such as the minimally invasive procedure, Sclerotherapy.
Spider and varicose veins occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Age. With age comes the increased risk of developing varicose veins through normal wear and tear on your veins. Vein disease is common among those over the age of 45.
- Sex. The risk of developing vein disease is higher in women than men due to hormonal changes that weaken vein walls.
- Obesity. Being overweight puts additional pressure on your veins, and this can increase your risk of developing varicose veins.
- Pregnancy. During pregnancy, your hormones fluctuate, and this can weaken the walls of your veins. Your body also produces more blood, which can result in veins that are enlarged.
- Occupation. If you have a job that keeps you on your feet, or a job that means you are sitting all day, you are at a higher risk of developing varicose veins.
- Birth Control. Taking birth control can lead to an increase in hormones, and, like pregnancy, can increase your risk of developing spider and varicose veins.
- Medical History. Certain medical conditions, such as a history of blood clots, can increase your risk of vein disease.
- Genetic Predisposition. A lot of what happens with our health can be attributed to genetics and family history, and if varicose veins run in the family, you have a higher risk of developing them yourself.
- Tightly Worn Garments. You can increase your risk by wearing clothing that is too tight and increases pressure on your abdomen and reduces circulation, such as a corset or girdle.
If you have spider veins or varicose veins, contact New York Metro Vein today to request an appointment with a New York vein specialist.
How to Lower Your Risk of Vein Disease
Many factors can increase your risk of developing vein disease, but there are also things you can do to lower this risk. You can reduce your risk of developing varicose veins and spider veins by improving your circulation and muscle tone.
Here are some things you can start incorporating into your life to lower your risk of vein disease:
- Exercise regularly
- Elevate your legs
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy diet full of fiber and less sodium
- Keep moving – change up your sitting and standing positions
NY Vein Disease Treatment Options
Vein disease affects many parts of the body and can lead to varicose veins, swollen legs, skin damage, and skin ulcers. Not only can it affect the appearance of your body, but it can also cause pain and discomfort. Often, vein disease may require medical treatments to relieve these symptoms.
At New York MetroVein, we provide several vein treatments for our patients, including Vein Closure, Microphlebectomy, and Sclerotherapy. Talk to your doctor to learn more about your vein health and which vein treatments may be right for you.
Vein Closure
This minimally invasive vein treatment is an option for patients with varicose veins and is an alternative to traditional vein stripping surgeries and is performed right in the office.
This vein treatment is intended for patients who are experiencing blood flow in the wrong direction, and patients can expect relief in symptoms, the regaining of normal blood flow, easy recovery, and minimal scarring.
What This Vein Treatment Looks Like
The Vein Closure procedure looks a lot different than the traditional major surgeries that were once needed to treat vein disease. Today, local anesthesia is used to numb the area before inserting a thin catheter into the damaged vein, using ultrasound as a guide.
A laser is then used inside of the vein to close and eliminate the diseased vein before removing the catheter. Most people resume normal activity within the following day or two.
Microphlebectomy
The Microphlebectomy procedure that removes large varicose veins by making a small incision on the leg, minimizing scarring. This is an option for patients who’s varicose veins are too small for the sclerotherapy vein treatment.
This outpatient varicose vein treatment is done in the office with minimal discomfort for the patient. After this vein treatment, patients experience relief in their symptoms and an improvement in the appearance of the skin, as the dark, bulging veins will no longer be there. Because the veins are being removed rather than just treated, there is no chance of the disease coming back to affect those veins.
What This Vein Treatment Looks Like
During the Microphlebectomy, the doctor will be removing the varicose vein. The patient is given local anesthesia to minimize discomfort and pain felt during the procedure. A small incision is made at the site of the vein, and the vein is then carefully removed with a small hook-like instrument. The entire vein treatment typically takes place within an hour, and the patient is ready to leave soon after.
Once the procedure is complete, the patient can resume normal activities within one to four days, and they may experience immediate relief in their symptoms.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a vein treatment that is used to treat spider veins and smaller varicose veins. This procedure creates better-looking skin by eliminating the appearance of unwanted veins, leaving you feeling more confident and once again loving the look of your skin. It can also relieve symptoms associated with spider veins and varicose veins, such as aching, burning, swelling, and cramping.
This vein treatment is performed right in the office, and there is minimal downtown. Most people resume normal activity within one to two days.
What This Vein Treatment Looks Like
This procedure is performed in the office and is typically completed within 30 minutes. The area will be cleaned, and the affected veins will be injected with a solution that irritates the lining of the veins. This solution will cause the veins to close and collapse before becoming scar tissue. The body will eventually reabsorb this scar tissue. Additional sessions may be needed.
Schedule Your Vein Disease Treatment with New York MetroVein
Finally, say bye-bye to those unsightly veins and so-long to the painful symptoms. Vein disease is common throughout the United States, and vein treatments are no longer the big surgery it once was. Now, we use minimally invasive procedures that have you returning back to normal activity in no time.
Vein treatments in New York are easy when you schedule your appointment at one of our New York MetroVein clinics.