Page 24 - CFPD 2019 - NOV 18 B_APPROVED

Loving How You Look and Feel

Getting Treatment for Varicose Veins

and Back to Your Better Self

IF THE SPIDER VEINS and varicose veins in your legs are making you
feel self-conscious, there are in-offi ce treatment options that can help
reduce or eliminate them. Varicose veins can range from small spider veins to swollen,
bulging and rope-like veins. Aside from their unattractive appearance, varicose veins can
also cause discomfort and, in severe cases, health problems ranging from skin ulcers to
blood clots.

Symptoms of varicose veins include: and can include lifestyle changes, compression or support hose, or surgery.
• Enlarged veins visible just under the surface of the skin Techniques for eliminating or closing off varicose veins include laser
• Mild swelling of the ankles and feet therapy, sclerotherapy (the injection of saline solution into the vein to cause it
• Painful, achy or heavy-feeling legs to collapse), or radiofrequency or endovenous laser ablation— a minimally
• Throbbing or cramping in the legs invasive procedure that uses intense heat to close off and destroy the vein from
• Itchiness, particularly on the lower leg and ankle the inside. Sclerotherapy and topical laser treatments are most effective for
• Discolored skin in the area surrounding the varicose vein smaller spider veins.
Varicose veins are very common. Around 55 percent of women and 45 Many insurance providers will cover vein treatments, depending on the
percent of men in the U.S. have some type of vein problem. These enlarged severity and medical necessity.Half of people over age 50 have varicose veins.
veins— caused by weak or damaged valves in the veins— most often appear The primary causes are heredity, advancing age, pregnancy, being overweight
in the legs, due to body weight and the force of gravity. or obese, and being sedentary. People who sit or stand for a large part of the
Because the veins in the legs carry blood the longest distance from the lower day or engage in heavy lifting as part of their occupation have an increased
extremities of the body back up to the heart, they also bear the greatest pressure. risk of varicose veins. Women have a greater risk than men due to hormonal
This pressure can sometimes damage the valves in the veins, and cause blood to changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as increased
back up and pool in the leg veins— a condition known as venous insuffi ciency. pressure on leg veins during pregnancy.
Over time, this overfi lling of the superfi cial veins closest to the surface of the skin Spider veins are a smaller, milder form of varicose veins, and involve
causes the veins to stretch, bulge, and become prominent. the capillaries— the smallest blood vessels in the body. Often red or blue,
Half of people over age 50 have varicose veins. The primary causes are spider veins can appear on the legs or face, closer to the surface of the skin
heredity, advancing age, pregnancy, being overweight or obese, and being than varicose veins, and look like a spider web or tree branch. This type of
sedentary. People who sit or stand for a large part of the day or engage in vein is usually only a cosmetic concern, but we offer simple treatments for it in
heavy lifting as part of their occupation have an increased risk of varicose veins. the offi ce that can make a big difference. Most patients can resume normal
Women have a greater risk than men due to hormonal changes during puberty, activities immediately after treatment. The treatment takes from 1 to 25 minutes,
pregnancy, and menopause, as well as increased pressure on leg veins during depending on the size of the affected area, and generally only one treatment
pregnancy. is needed.
Spider veins are a smaller, milder form of varicose veins, and involve Varicose veins that need medical attention are those that become swollen,
the capillaries— the smallest blood vessels in the body. Often red or blue, red, warm or tender to the touch, or begin to bleed. Also, watch for sores or a
spider veins can appear on the legs or face, closer to the surface of the skin rash in the ankle area; thick or discolored skin in the area around the affected
than varicose veins, and look like a spider web or tree branch. This type of vein; or if leg pain and discomfort begin to interfere with daily activities.
vein is usually only a cosmetic concern, but we offer simple treatments for it in Varicose veins can cause complications such as leg pain; dermatitis, an
the offi ce that can make a big difference. Most patients can resume normal itchy rash that can cause bleeding or skin ulcers when scratched or irritated; or
activities immediately after treatment. The treatment takes from 1 to 25 minutes, a condition known as superfi cial thrombophlebitis, a blood clot in a vein. This
depending on the size of the affected area, and generally only one treatment type of blood clot can cause pain in the affected area.
is needed. Varicose veins are typically diagnosed through a physical exam and
Varicose veins that need medical attention are those that become swollen, an ultrasound imaging test to look for blood clots or other blockage, and to
red, warm or tender to the touch, or begin to bleed. Also, watch for sores or a determine if the valves are working properly. Treatment depends on the severity
rash in the ankle area; thick or discolored skin in the area around the affected and can include lifestyle changes, compression or support hose, or surgery.
vein; or if leg pain and discomfort begin to interfere with daily activities. Techniques for eliminating or closing off varicose veins include laser
Varicose veins can cause complications such as leg pain; dermatitis, an therapy, sclerotherapy (the injection of saline solution into the vein to cause it
itchy rash that can cause bleeding or skin ulcers when scratched or irritated; or to collapse), or radiofrequency or endovenous laser ablation— a minimally
a condition known as superfi cial thrombophlebitis, a blood clot in a vein. This invasive procedure that uses intense heat to close off and destroy the vein from
type of blood clot can cause pain in the affected area. the inside. Sclerotherapy and topical laser treatments are most effective for
Varicose veins are typically diagnosed through a physical exam and smaller spider veins.
an ultrasound imaging test to look for blood clots or other blockage, and to Many insurance providers will cover vein treatments, depending on the
determine if the valves are working properly. Treatment depends on the severity severity and medical necessity.
Dr. Buck Scott is Board Certifi ed in General Surgery and also provides vein care. To schedule a vein consultation with Dr. Scottt, call 844-634-DOCS (3627).
Member of the medical staff of the Lake Wales Medical Center. Lake Wales Medical Center is owned in part by physicians.