Varicose veins are a prevalent condition with various presentations, from those that are incidentally noticed to those leading to other significant symptoms. Surgical Care East, PPLC is a leading facility for treating varicose veins in Camillus to help you eliminate your unsightly veins.
Understanding Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are superficial veins that are abnormally dilated. These veins commonly occur in the legs and can also occur around the pelvis and the womb.
This condition occurs in about one out of three individuals throughout their life. It is a misconception that varicose veins occur only in the elderly. This condition actually starts at a young age, but it is far more common in the teenage years as you get older.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Weak valves cause this condition in the vein, which starts to swell and dilate, causing disfiguration and unsightly legs. Veins are there to transport blood from the foot back to the heart against gravity. Progressively, the valves in the veins become weak, and as they weaken, they start to leak blood back towards the feet, increasing the pressure within the veins, causing them to dilate and swell. As the veins swell, more pressure is put on other veins causing them to swell. Therefore, varicose vein formation is a step-wise progression of a weak valve that causes the vein to swell and dilate.
In most cases, varicose veins have no underlying cause, but there are rare causes of varicose veins such as deep vein thrombosis, malignancy, pregnancy, obesity. However, these causes are the least common and can occur in the most unexpected patients, such as a young slim-fit individual with no family history of varicose veins. They can also occur conversely in obese elderly patients who can get varicose veins due to life longevity.
What Are The Symptoms Of Varicose Veins?
Many patients present no symptoms apart from the veins being unsightly. Some patients visit the doctor with big noticeable veins, while some exhibit small thread veins and have no symptoms apart from the cosmetic issue. However, other patients can get aching leg symptoms, nighttime cramps, swelling of the legs, restless leg syndrome, and heavy legs.
Other more advanced symptoms can cause skin damage, such as eczema, skin irritation, bleeding from the vein, and thrombophlebitis (where the veins develop blood clots).
Often, advanced patients present skin damage and pigmentation. The best time to seek treatment is before the veins have started to damage the skin.
What Are The Treatment Options For Varicose Veins?
The main and most successful treatment of varicose veins is endothermal ablation of the veins. A heat probe used in laser fiber or radiofrequency is passed within the vein to cause the vein to close. This treatment has a 99% success rate. Alternative treatments include chemical ablation using machines such as foam sclerotherapy.
It cannot be easy to navigate the available treatment options because of their diversity. To understand the options available for you and receive the best treatment possible, contact Surgical Care East, PPLC by phone or book an appointment online today.
