Varicose Veins

What are varicose veins?

The veins, through which blood returns to your heart, have valves along their length that open as blood pumps through. Then the valves close to stop gravity from pulling the blood toward the ground.

Varicose veins have weak or damaged valves that allow blood to collect in pools. The pressure of the pooled blood causes the veins to bulge and look discolored — red, blue, or purple.

Standing for extended periods can lead to varicose veins. Female hormones appear to play a role as women get varicose veins more often than men. A family history of varicose veins could also be a factor.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Lots of patients with varicose veins have no symptoms other than the unsightly appearance of the blood vessels — at least to begin with. The most frequent symptoms are a sense of fullness in the legs, skin changes, and discomfort after standing for a while.  

Less common is ankle swelling, itching, and bleeding. Some patients eventually develop severe swelling and skin discoloration around their ankles. These patients can end up with venous ulcers, a painful condition requiring expert wound care.

How are varicose veins treated?

Sarasota Vascular Specialists offers a range of treatments for varicose veins. Wearing compression stockings or socks helps support the weak valves and keep blood flowing back to your heart. It’s also essential that you lose weight if you’re overweight, exercise regularly, and stop smoking.

Some of the advanced treatments Sarasota Vascular Specialists uses for varicose veins include:

VenaCure EVLT™

VenaCure EVLT from AngioDynamics Inc. in Latham, New York, uses laser energy to close the varicose vein. Your doctor inserts a laser fiber into the varicose vein that heats the blood. This causes scarring that closes the vein.

Venefit™

Venefit Targeted Endovenous Therapy works similarly to VenaCure but uses heat from radiofrequency energy rather than a laser.

VenaSeal™

VenaSeal from Medtronics® in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a medical adhesive that your doctor uses to close your varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy involves injecting an irritant liquid or foam into the varicose vein. The irritant collapses the vein walls.

These treatments all work by closing the vein down so blood can’t get through it. There are many other veins the blood can go through, so the blood simply takes another route. Meanwhile, the treated vein shrivels, and your body absorbs it.

Do varicose veins require stripping?

Stripping varicose veins out surgically used to be the standard approach. However, modern ablation treatments mean this method is rarely used anymore.

Microphlebectomy also called ambulatory stab avulsion phlebectomy (ASAP), can be used for particularly large varicose veins. Your Sarasota Vascular Specialists provider makes a tiny incision and completely removes the vein.

If you have varicose veins, it’s best to treat them before they get any worse. To schedule a consultation at Sarasota Vascular Specialists, call the office or book an appointment online today.