Choosing the Right Vein Care Specialist: A Patient’s Guide

Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged blood vessels that bulge close to the surface of your skin. They may be painful or itchy. They can also lead to more serious health problems, like blood clots. You can get relief from vein pain by changing your lifestyle and treating symptoms with self-care or surgery. If left untreated, varicose veins can cause ulcers (open sores) and other complications, such as skin discoloration and leg swelling. In sclerotherapy, Center For Advanced Vein Care puts a solution into the varicose vein through a thin tube (catheter).

Usually, the first step in diagnosing varicose veins is a physical examination. Your healthcare professional will look at your legs while you’re standing and sitting. They might feel your legs and feet for signs of swollen veins, such as those that are twisted or protrude from the surface of your skin. Your healthcare professional might also ask you to describe your symptoms and when they started.

Some doctors recommend wearing compression stockings to relieve varicose vein pain. These tight-fitting hose put pressure on your legs, which helps veins and muscles move blood. You can find compression stockings at pharmacies and online. They are especially helpful for people who stand or sit for long periods of time, such as people in some types of work.

Varicose veins often occur when one-way valves in the veins become weak or damaged. This allows blood to flow backward against gravity when you’re standing, which causes the veins to enlarge and elongate. This gives them a bumpy, rope-like appearance. Varicose veins are more common in women than men. They are also more likely to develop in those with a family history of varicose veins or in people who have diabetes or high blood pressure.

You can prevent or slow the development of varicose veins by wearing support stockings and raising your legs when you’re sitting or lying down. You should also change positions often when you’re sitting or standing for long periods of time, and wear comfortable shoes. You can help reduce the pain of varicose veins by taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

In some cases, your healthcare provider will use an ultrasound test of the leg to check for a blood clot that could be blocking your circulation. Blood clots in varicose veins can sometimes break loose and travel to your lungs, a condition called deep vein thrombosis or DVT. This can be life-threatening.

DVT can be treated with a drug called heparin. You can take heparin by mouth or inject it into your varicose vein with a needle. You can also treat varicose veins and DVT with a procedure called venous angioplasty or sclerotherapy.

This treatment damages the lining of the vein so it no longer carries blood. Over time, the body reroutes blood to other healthy veins. Other treatments for varicose veins include thermal ablation and microphlebectomy. In these procedures, your healthcare professional uses a catheter to send laser energy or radiofrequency heat into the diseased vein. This destroys the walls of the vein and causes it to collapse and seal shut.

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