Varicose Veins
Overview
How Is a Varicose Vein Defined?
You might know what varicose veins look like, but do you know why they look that way? A varicose vein is a blood vessel that becomes enlarged or twisted when pressure builds within it. Different factors elevate intravenous pressure, especially a condition called chronic venous insufficiency. As the veins dilate and engorge, they become visible and palpable at the surface of your skin.
- Varicose veins are part of a spectrum of vein diseases that includes spider veins, but they are typically >3mm and palpable, whereas spider veins are usually <1mm and nonpalpable.
- Rope-like and swollen, varicose veins are bluish-purple or reddish-purple.
- With the exception of the pulmonary vein, all veins transport deoxygenated blood to the heart. Since leg veins bear our body weight and pump blood upward, they’re more susceptible to varicosities.
- Varicose veins form in nearly 30% of Americans, affecting twice as many women as men. If varicose veins run in your family, you’re likely to develop them. Gaining weight, aging, pregnancy, and sitting or standing still for long spans of time increase the risk of varicosities.
- Treatment for varicose veins is common, to improve both health and self-confidence. Solutions include lifestyle adjustments and minimally invasive vein clinic procedures with no downtime.
What Are the Physical Symptoms of Varicose Veins?
Sometimes patients are asymptomatic, but those with venous insufficiency or symptomatic varicose veins visit our NJ vein clinic with these issues:
- Dilated, tortuous veins
- Edema in the calves, ankles, and feet
- Heavy, achy legs at the end of the day
- Fibrotic skin changes
- Hyperpigmentation on the legs and feet
- Red patches of stasis dermatitis or venous eczema
- Cramps and restlessness in the legs
- Pruritis or burning sensations
- Formation of spider veins nearby
What Usually Causes Varicose Veins?
Certain behaviors influence varicose vein formation. Obesity, inactivity, and smoking impact blood pressure. But there are other causes beyond your control. Hormones, congenital vein abnormalities, and phlebitis (inflammation) are occasionally to blame. Injuries and vein trauma (blood clots or weak vein walls) are also implemented in varicosities. But the primary cause is the condition called chronic venous insufficiency, wherein vein valves don’t close correctly, allowing blood to collect or flow backward, increasing pressure in your veins. If venous insufficiency is common in your family, you have a strong likelihood of developing it. Our New Jersey vein clinics diagnose and treat this condition.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Varicose Veins?
If you’re female, you have a higher risk of varicosities, particularly if you’ve given birth or experienced hormone fluctuations (menopause, birth control usage, etc.). The risk increases for both men and women as they age, and also if they’re obese or sedentary. Genetic predisposition is the main determinant, so take preventative steps if your parents have varicose veins and consult our New Jersey vein clinics to minimize your risks.
Your Varicose Veins Diagnosis in New Jersey
Our incredibly talented board-certified physicians in New Jersey follow a comprehensive approach to varicose vein treatments. We review your health history, discuss your symptoms, and examine your leg veins to determine the likelihood of underlying vein disease. If you have a high risk of vein disease, we run a duplex ultrasound scan. Our comprehensive varicose vein diagnosis allows us to curate highly-personalized vein treatments that address your specific goals, needs, and lifestyle requirements.
The Best Varicose Vein Treatment Options for You in NJ
- Exercise: You may experience temporary relief by running, swimming, and cycling. These activities facilitate effective blood circulation to the heart, alleviating some of the symptoms of vein disease.
- Leg Elevation: Elevating your legs over your heart’s level while sleeping or sitting temporarily reduces the symptoms of vein disease.
- Compression Stockings: Wearing skin-tight compression stockings pushes the accumulated blood towards the heart. As such, compression stockings may offer you temporary relief from the symptoms of vein disease.
- Ambulatory Phlebectomy: Also known as micro-surgery, our vein doctors physically extract the varicose veins through small incisions on your skin’s surface.
- Sclerotherapy: Our vein doctors inject a foam or liquid solution into your varicose veins to close the diseased vessels.
- Radiofrequency & Laser Ablation: Our vein doctors use thermal or laser energy to destroy the diseased veins, thereby treating the root cause of your varicose veins.
Your Varicose Vein Treatments in NJ are Safe & Painless
We believe your varicose vein treatments should be safe, convenient, and painless. Thanks to recent advancements in vein care and technologies, we offer minimally invasive varicose vein treatments that are painless, comfortable, and completely safe. The risk of complications is negligible, and you can resume your daily activities as soon as you leave the vein clinic. We believe radiofrequency ablation and sclerotherapy are the most effective and comfortable varicose vein treatments in NJ — they treat the underlying vein disease and improve your cosmetic appearance. However, we encourage you to consult our reliable vein doctors in New Jersey because they diagnose and treat the root cause of your varicose veins to ensure lasting results.