What Does A Vein Center Do?

If you have varicose veins, you are one of millions of people familiar with this uncomfortable issue. Varicose veins can be painful or embarrassing. Wearing gradient compression stockings can support your legs and keep varicose veins from getting worse, but they can also be hot and uncomfortable. Seeing a specialist at a center for vein care is the first step to getting treatment for troublesome varicose veins. 

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are veins that become twisted and enlarged so they are visible under the skin. Any veins close to the skin’s surface can become varicose, no matter how large or small. Many people think of large, bulging veins on the legs as varicose veins. 

Varicose veins appear on the legs. The location is usually due to the effects of gravity on veins. Veins are vessels that return blood to the heart, but the strain is more significant when the veins are below your heart. For blood to work its way up the veins in your legs, it has to work against the pressure of gravity, which can weaken the vessel walls over time. This can result in blood flowing slightly backward or pooling in the veins, distorting their shape. Eventually, weak veins stretch or twist, making them protrude slightly under the skin. They may appear dark blue or purple. They may also look ropy or cord-like.²

Some people find their varicose veins to be unsightly but not uncomfortable. Other people find that they cause pain or throbbing sensations. In rare cases, varicose veins lead to skin ulcers that lead to pain and bleeding. Varicose veins can occasionally develop dangerous blood clots requiring immediate medical attention. ³

The tiny spider veins that appear on the legs, chest, and face are less likely to lead to discomfort. However, they can affect your self-confidence if they are on your face. They may be quite visible and hard to disguise with make-up.⁴

There are home treatments that you can try to reduce the appearance of varicose veins. You can elevate your legs to improve circulation. Regular exercise can also improve blood flow and reduce the appearance of varicose veins. It might also help prevent new varicose veins from appearing. If you have a stationary job, taking breaks to stand up and move is helpful. On the other hand, if you’re on your feet all day, it may help to take periodic breaks to sit and elevate your feet. Wearing gradient compression stockings for support is another home treatment option.⁵

If you have tried all of those methods and find that varicose veins and spider veins are still bothering you, it might be time to visit a vein center and talk to a specialist about treatment. 

What Does A Vein Center Do?

Vein specialists are experts in assessing and treating conditions like varicose veins. When you visit a vein center, you will meet with a specialist to evaluate your veins and discuss your goals for treatment. The specialist will examine your varicose veins and determine what type of treatment will be best for your specific needs. 

Depending on your needs, the specialist will recommend one of the highly effective treatment methods that vein centers offer:

• Microfoam Injection: Your specialist will inject a solution directly into the varicose veins. The solution causes the walls of the vein to scar and close up. In a few weeks, the vein will fade. You may need more than one treatment for full effects. The treatment doesn’t require anesthesia, and you will be able to walk right after treatment. You may need compression stockings for several weeks after treatment.⁶ 
• Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) or Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): With EVLA and RFA, your specialist will numb the area to be treated and then make a small incision. They will then insert a laser fiber or catheter into the vein and activate the laser or radiofrequency device. The device heats the vein and causes it to collapse. You will need to wear gradient compression stockings for one or two weeks after the procedures. 
• Phlebectomy: Phlebectomy is a procedure to remove the varicose vein. Your specialist will numb the area and then make several small incisions over the vein site. After that, they use specialized instruments to remove the vein from your body. You may be a little sore after the procedure, but it can be fixed with some over the counter pain relievers. You will also wear gradient compression stockings for several weeks.¹⁰ 

When dealing with spider veins, vein specialists commonly treat this vein type as well. Sclerotherapy for spider veins on the legs works the same way as sclerotherapy on varicose veins. Laser therapy targets the veins non-invasively with a laser device that destroys the veins. Ohmic Thermolysis involves applying a radio frequency device to emit bursts of energy that destroy the veins using a thin needle. You may need more than one treatment for full effect with any of these options. 

When Should I See a Vein Specialist?

If you have varicose veins that cause discomfort, seeing a vein specialist for treatment is the quickest path to finding relief. The professionals at a vein center will be able to recommend a treatment plan that brings you relief from the pain associated with varicose veins. 

Treating varicose veins can also reduce the risk of complications. You should see a specialist if you are at risk for ulcers or blood clots because of vein problems. Treatment will improve the blood flow in the affected area, so you won’t need to worry about circulatory issues.

If you have spider veins on your face or chest, you may be embarrassed about how they look. Your self-image may be damaged if you feel like your veins are the first thing people notice about you. Treating facial spider veins is often a quick procedure with minimal discomfort and excellent results. The veins vanish right after treatment, and you can show a new face to the world right away. 

If you want to find a vein specialist in your area, My Vein Treatment can help. Our searchable directory lists vein centers in communities across the United States. A vein specialist in your area is just a few clicks away.

SOURCES:

1. Mayo Clinic: “Varicose veins.”
2. ibid
3. ibid
4. ibid
5. AADA: “LEG VEINS: WHY THEY APPEAR AND HOW DERMATOLOGISTS TREAT THEM.”
6. ibid
7. ibid
8. ibid
9. Trials: “ Mechanochemical endovenous Ablation versus RADiOfrequeNcy Ablation in the treatment of primary great saphenous vein incompetence (MARADONA): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.”
10. Seminars in Interventional Radiology: “Ambulatory Phlebectomy.”