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Suffering from varicose veins in your legs can make life feel uncomfortable. At Vascular Health Center, we provide varicose vein treatments for people throughout Winter Haven, FL and surrounding areas.
What Are Varicose Veins?
As swollen and enlarged veins that appear throughout the legs and feet, varicose veins don’t always produce symptoms. Some patients dislike the way they look, though, and so they may choose to treat them anyway.
Most varicose veins are purple or blue in appearance. They range from being small and twisted to large and lumpy. When they do produce symptoms, you may notice the following:
Different Types of Varicose Veins
- Thread veins/spider veins –These veins look like small blue and red clusters of lines. In addition to appearing in your legs, you may notice them as varicose veins in your hands or face.
- Reticular varicose veins –These veins are usually red in appearance and may group together in small clusters.
- Trunk varicose veins –As thick and knobbly veins, they sit close to the surface of the skin and often look unpleasant.
Common Varicose Vein Risk Factors
- A close family member suffers from varicose veins
- You’re female
- Increased age
- Being overweight
- Standing for long periods as part of your job
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Swelling or tumor in the pelvis
- Abnormal blood vessels
- A history of blood clots
Consequences of Not Using Varicose Vein Treatments
Failing to pursue varicose vein treatments places you at risk of the following conditions:
- Ulcers –As pressure behind the skin increases, the small blood vessels there weaken and make your skin fragile. This reduces your healing capacity and makes an ulcer more likely. Ulcers are particularly common around the ankles.
- Blood clots– When blood pools in one area of your leg and a clotting cascade is triggered, you’re at risk of a blood clot. Always seek medical help if you suspect a clot is present.
- Bleeding –Sometimes, the pressure of the blood pooling is too much for the vein walls, and they burst. Although the bleeding is usually minor, you should seek medical attention.
Available Varicose Vein Treatments
Before and 2 months after VenaCURE EVLT treatment
Varicose vein treatments can start at home. Losing weight, avoiding tight clothing, and moving around all ease the pressure on your veins and promote healthier blood flow.
When self-care isn’t enough, you can try compression stockings. Custom-made compression stockings apply pressure to the veins and encourage your blood to flow easily. They also reduce the likelihood that your blood will pool.
If we suspect that you need varicose vein treatments, you can come to us for a free assessment. In some cases, a clinical examination alone is enough to form a varicose veins diagnosis. However, we often need to use ultrasound machines to measure your blood flow and assess the severity of the problem.
Other Varicose Veins Treatments
Varicose veins that cause significant discomfort or that reduce your quality of life may require medical interventions. At Vascular Health Center, we offer several varicose vein treatments in Tampa.
Sclerotherapy for Varicose Vein
Sclerotherapy
As an in-office procedure, sclerotherapy involves injecting the offending vein with a foamy solution that causes it to dissolve. Over time, your body absorbs the vein, and your symptoms should stop.
Endovenous Ablation
During an endovenous ablation procedure, your doctor will place a catheter inside your vein using image-guided technologies. They’ll then use laser energy to break the vein down, which causes it to collapse and close.
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