Your vanity may be the reason you wear pants even on the hottest days of summer, so that no one can see the bulging, twisted road map of veins on your legs. But varicose veins may be more than a cosmetic problem. David Naar, MD at Premier Vein Clinic is a highly skilled vascular surgeon and knows all too well how varicose veins can affect your health, which is why he offers a number of different treatments to get rid of them.
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What are Varicose Veins?
Your veins are responsible for carrying blood back to your heart for reoxygenation. In the process, the valves that help push the blood forward sometimes become faulty, allowing the blood to pool. This creates the unsightly bulging you know as varicose veins.
Any vein in your body can become a varicose vein. However, due to the fight against gravity, these purple or red veins most often occur in the legs. Genetics, carrying extra weight, and being on your feet all day may increase your risk of developing varicose veins.
You may not like how they look, but Dr. Naar knows the backup of blood in your veins can lead to other health problems or be a sign that something else is going on.
Varicose Veins and Health
Varicose veins don’t always cause health problems, but they can. When blood pools and stops moving, you’re at greater risk of developing a blood clot, which can increase your risk of pulmonary embolism, paradoxical stroke or varicosity hemorrhage.
The pooled blood may also increase your risk of developing a leg ulcer, which can be very painful and extremely difficult to heal if it’s not getting the blood supply it needs and leads to a serious infection.
Varicose veins also affect overall circulation, making it difficult for your body to move fluid in and out, which can cause edema or swelling. This also increases your risk of developing bacterial and fungal infections.
And finally, the pooled blood in your veins may cause the wall of the vein to weaken and eventually break open, leading to hemorrhaging.
Treatments to get Rid of Varicose Veins
If you have varicose veins that are distended, you should come in to the office so Dr. Naar can take a look and assess your health risk. He offers three different treatments to help get rid of varicose veins.
Endovenous Ablation
Endovenous ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses laser or radiofrequency energy to seal off the vein and stop the blood flow. Your body then reroutes the blood through another vein. Endovenous ablation is a simple procedure that requires no downtime.
Microphlebectomy
During a microphlebectomy, Dr. Naar removes the varicose vein through a small incision. As this is a more invasive treatment, Dr. Naar recommends you take a day or two after treatment for recovery.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is typically used to treat small varicose veins or spider veins, but may act as a preventive treatment for more serious health problems. During sclerotherapy, Dr. Naar injects a special chemical solution into the vein, which causes it to collapse.
Varicose veins are more than just a cosmetic concern. For an evaluation of your health risk, call us or schedule an appointment online.