Varicose veins are common, affecting millions of individuals. They may not be painful, but their unsightly appearance may put you away. Varicose veins usually develop in your legs and are more common in women. Usually, they may indicate a vascular problem, and when not treated, they may cause complications. Upper East Side varicose veins specialists offer evaluation and treatments to eliminate varicose veins and restore your health. Here is what you should know about varicose veins.
What are varicose veins?
They are visible twisting and protruding veins on your skin surface. Varicose veins may also appear blue or purple. They may make you feel uncomfortable or not beautiful enough.
Varicose veins occur when blood floods your veins, causing the veins to enlarge and bulge on your skin surface. Besides being a cosmetic problem, varicose veins may cause discomfort, including a heavy leg feeling, itchiness, burning sensation, and cramping.
What are the causes of varicose veins?
The veins pump blood from your body to the heart. Pumping blood from your legs farther from the heart may require a lot of work. Your veins have valves that help with blood pumping and block blood from flowing backward.
Damage to the valves or vein weakness may cause blood to flow backward, causing blood to pool in your veins. It results in varicose vein forming.
Varicose veins affect everyone; however, they are likely to develop if you follow the following factors.
- Family history of varicose veins
- Standing for long periods
- Obesity
- Have a peripheral vascular disease
- Pregnancy
When to seek treatment for varicose veins?
Whether varicose veins are only a cosmetic problem or have uncomfortable symptoms, scheduling an appointment with your doctor is advisable. In some cases, varicose veins may signify a vascular problem. Without treatment, varicose veins may cause complications such as bleeding, blood clots, or leg ulcers.
During your consultation, your provider conducts a detailed evaluation of your varicose veins and vascular health. They also conduct a physical examination of your legs and ask about your symptoms.
The vascular specialists also use ultrasound to assess your veins and determine the affected areas. They use your assessment results to come up with an individualized treatment plan.
Treatment options for varicose veins
Your treatment option focuses on eliminating the varicose veins and relieving the discomfort.
The Upper East Side Cardiology team provides various quality and effective treatments for varicose veins. Your provider first suggests the following conservative techniques.
- Wearing compression stockings
- Elevating your legs when resting
- Regular exercise
- Avoiding standing or sitting for extended periods
Other treatments are helpful when your varicose veins put you at risk of complications.
- Sclerotherapy or Varithena
- Radiofrequency ablation using the ClosureFast procedure
- VenaSeal
- VeinGogh
Varicose veins treatments enhance the closing and sealing of the weakened veins. Blood finds its way through other healthy veins, promoting circulation. Varicose veins die off over some time and eventually disappear.
If bulging and twisting veins in your legs make you insecure, Dr. Bhusri, a vascular specialist, may help you eliminate them. Varicose veins may also cause pain, among other uncomfortable symptoms, that may cause complications when not treated. Call Upper East Side of Cardiology today to schedule a consultation.
