Varicose vein therapy..more than cosmetic

Varicose veins, those unsightly bulging, rope-like cords on the legs affect an estimated 40 percent of women and 25 percent of men of all ages. Problem veins generally appear from age 20 forward.

Veins return blood back to the heart to be recirculated. To return this blood to the heart, the leg veins must work against gravity to lift the blood back to the heart. This gravity effect is multiplied when standing. Small, one-way valves open to allow blood flow upward, towards the heart, and then close to prevent it from flowing backwards. Muscle pumps in the lower limbs push the blood upward with each muscle contraction.

Obstacles in the way of blood return to the heart (such as pregnancy or obesity) also decrease the vein’s ability to return blood back to the heart efficiently. In addition to the visual appearance, many patients may experience pain (an aching or cramping feeling), heaviness/tiredness, burning or tingling sensations, leg swelling/throbbing as well as tender areas around the veins themselves.

Varicose Vein Formation

Varicose veins occur when the valves in superficial leg veins malfunction or cannot work efficiently. When this occurs, the valve may be unable to close, allowing the blood that should be moving towards the heart to flow backward (called venous reflux). The vein blood becomes stagnate, backs up and pressure builds. Blood then collects in the lower veins causing them to enlarge and become varicose.

These veins are very thin walled and cannot tolerate the increased pressure; they enlarge in relationship to the added stress. The pressure may be so great that fluid can leak from the faulty veins causing leg swelling leading to dermatitis and skin ulcerations. As a matter of fact, varicose veins have been shown to be the number one cause for restless leg syndrome.

Factors leading to Varicose Veins

Factors leading to varicose veins include heredity, gender, pregnancy and age. Some factors may speed up the development of this disease and make the veins worse. The major factors include pregnancy, prolonged standing in one place, obesity, hormone levels and physical trauma from previous episodes of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots).

Varicose veins of the rectum are called hemorrhoids and varicose veins of the esophagus are called esophageal varicose veins. While many people have heard of varicose veins of the legs, very few truly understand their underlying cause and the potential they have for developing into serious medical issues.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Conservative measures (like compression hose) are helpful but do not treat the underlying cause of the disease process. Compression therapy helps adjust the superficial vein pressure to cause the vein blood flow to take other veins deeper in the limb. Without correction of the mechanical problem, varicose veins will usually enlarge and worsen over time. Legs and feet may begin to swell and sensations of pain, heaviness, burning or tenderness may occur.

Twisted, ropey veins are related to mechanical problems and the usual answer for mechanical problems is mechanical therapy. Premiere vein centers use endovenous laser or radiofrequency techniques to permanently seal faulty varicose veins with conservative, non-surgical methods. Advanced varicose veins may lead to vein inflammation (phlebitis), deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) and non-healing ulcers and sores of the lower extremities.

Most vein therapy is covered by insurance and Medicare if medical symptoms can be directly related to the visible veins. High resolution ultrasound evaluation is mandatory in the work up of venous disease.