What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels that are blue or purple and highly visible most often appearing in your legs. These twisted and tangled-looking veins may even bulge above the surface of your skin.
What Symptoms May Develop if You have Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins may not cause any symptoms, but according to mayo clinic many people experience problems such as:
- Leg pain and discomfort
- Heavy-feeling or uncomfortable legs
- Swollen feet or ankles
- Restless legs
- Burning or throbbing feeling
- White patches around the ankles
- Dry, itchy skin
- Reddish-brown skin discoloration
Your symptoms may be worse later in the day, in warmer weather, or after standing for a long time.
How are Varicose Veins Treated?
Though varicose veins don’t usually cause severe medical issues, they could potentially lead to sores, bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombosis. To avoid medical complications from varicose veins, there are treatment options such as:
Venous Ablation
This outpatient procedure is performed with imaging guidance. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein. The laser energy heats and seals the vein closed.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
During this procedure, the abnormal vein is removed through a small incision.
Injection Sclerotherapy
An injection with a solution that shrinks the vein is inserted into the vein.
Before recommending the treatment that’s best for your veins, our Denver Vein experts perform a Doppler venous ultrasound. Doppler imaging allows them to diagnose your vein condition and create an individualized treatment plan.
After treatment, the varicose veins are permanently closed and then gradually disappear as they’re either reabsorbed or shrink. Venous insufficiency and any of the related symptoms are also eliminated. Your body is also able to restore healthy circulation by rerouting blood through other veins.