Varicose Veins

Nearly thirty percent of adults will develop varicose veins in their lifetime, making this a very common vein condition. For many individuals, these veins are merely a cosmetic concern and aren’t dangerous to their health. But for some, these veins may become uncomfortable or itchy, or even cause swelling in the legs. Occasionally, varicose veins can lead to more serious complications.

Varicose Veins FAQs

A varicose vein is an enlarged and twisted vein that is usually visible below the skin. These veins most commonly appear in the legs, where standing and walking can increase the pressure in those veins over time.

The farther away the vein is from your heart, the more your body must work to return that blood to the heart. Over time, through gravity or through pressure from standing and walking, the valves that help pump that blood back up to the heart can become damaged or weakened.

That causes the blood to pool back in the vein, and those veins will respond to that increase in blood by stretching or twisting to accommodate it.

  • Age
  • Sex – Women are more likely to develop varicose veins.
  • Pregnancy – The strain of pregnancy can increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins.
  • Family history
  • Obesity
  • Inactivity

Some people may never need to treat varicose veins for anything other than cosmetic reasons. However, for those experiencing unpleasant symptoms, like itchiness, aching or swelling, it’s recommended that they see a doctor to ensure they aren’t at risk for complications. While complications from varicose veins are rare, they can include the development of ulcers, blood clots or bleeding from burst veins. The development of any of these conditions requires prompt medical attention.

Schedule an Appointment

Monday – Friday

8:30am – 4:30pm

Treating Varicose Veins

Typically, varicose veins can be diagnosed through a simple physical exam. Sometimes your provider may recommend a venous doppler ultrasound to rule out any blood clots in the veins. This is a noninvasive diagnostic.

The type of treatment your provider recommends will depend on where your varicose veins are, how large they are and any other complications you may be experiencing. Your provider may recommend any of the following treatments:

  • Home care – Your provider may recommend simply adjusting your home habits by increasing your exercise, elevating your legs or wearing compression stockings.
  • Sclerotherapy – During this in-office procedure, one of our providers will inject a solution into your leg that will close off the vein, rerouting the blood through healthier veins. Eventually, the closed off vein will fade away.
  • Laser treatments – Sometimes, varicose veins can be closed by using a laser light on the skin itself to close off the vein.
  • Endovenous laser therapy or radiofrequency ablation – A minimally-invasive treatment, your provider will thread a small laser fiber or a catheter into the vein and then use a laser or radiofrequency devise to close off the vein from the inside.
  • Vein surgery – Also called vein litigation, varicose vein surgery involves making a few small incisions to reach and then tie off the vein to close it. Sometimes, our surgeons may also remove the vein entirely through a process called vein stripping.

Request an Appointment for the USA Vein Center

At this time, USA only accepts online appointment requests for the USA Vein Center. If you would like to schedule an appointment for other consultations or procedures, please call us at 423-267-0466

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16 Specialty Services From Over
30 Skilled Surgeons

Today our network extends to more than 6 cities in the region. Search our network of surgeons and nurse practitioners by specialty or location.

16 Specialty Services From Over
30 Skilled Surgeons

Today our network extends to more than 6 cities in the region. Search our network of surgeons and nurse practitioners by specialty or location.