Varicose Veins Treatment

Varicose veins are large, bulging veins visible to the naked eye. They can develop anywhere on the body but are especially common in the lower extremities, including the thighs, calves, and feet.

Varicose veins occur due to venous insufficiency. The veins in your legs pump blood back to your heart. However, blood can flow backward and pool if your vein valves don’t close completely. Over time, this pooling causes your veins to swell and become varicose.

Generally, varicose veins are only a cosmetic problem. In some cases, they can point to a more serious health problem like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

Common symptoms of varicose veins include: 

• Heavy legs
• Swelling
• Visible veins
• Leg cramping, especially after standing for long periods.
• Large veins that are purple, blue, or green
• Twisted, bulging, or inflamed veins
• Aching or heavy feelings in your legs
• Burning, throbbing, or muscle cramping
• Itching
• Skin discoloration

You might also feel pain following long periods of sitting or standing.

Varicose veins are a common problem in both men and women, but several factors may increase your risk. For example, you’re more likely to experience varicose veins as you age. This is because getting older causes wear and tear on your vein valves.

Other factors that increase your risk of varicose veins include pregnancy, being overweight, and having a family history of varicose veins.

To diagnose varicose veins, New York Medical Vascular Care reviews your medical history and conducts a physical exam. Our vein specialist may perform an ultrasound to evaluate vascular blood flow and confirm venous insufficiency. Your provider examines your legs, looking for visible veins, skin discoloration, and swelling.

Your provider may request you to take a diagnostic ultrasound. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to provide images of your veins and vein valves and detects blood clots or other abnormalities.

Treatment for varicose veins depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your mobility and quality of life. If you have a mild case of varicose veins, you may find relief by making healthy lifestyle changes such as losing weight, following a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, or wearing compression stockings.

If your varicose veins cause pain and itching, or if they put you at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, varicose vein treatment may include minimally invasive options like sclerotherapy or laser procedures to reduce bulging veins and improve circulation like: 

• Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
• Foam sclerotherapy
• Endovenous laser ablation
• Ambulatory phlebectomy
• High ligation and vein stripping
• Endoscopic vein surgery

These treatments are safe and effective in treating your varicose veins, enabling blood to reroute to healthier pathways throughout your body.

Don’t wait to seek treatment for varicose veins; schedule an appointment at New York Medical Vascular Care by calling the nearest office or booking online today.