Varicose Veins Specialist

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, visible veins that show through your skin as purple or blue blemishes. They often protrude from your skin and form twisted coils. Any of the superficial veins can become varicose veins, but the veins on your legs are the most commonly affected.

In many cases, people have varicose veins that, although they don’t look very nice, don’t cause any discomfort or other symptoms. 

Other people find their varicose veins make their legs feel achy, and their veins start to itch or become tender. In some cases, ulcers or blood clots can develop from serious varicose veins.

What causes varicose veins?

The reason you get varicose veins is because of a malfunction in the valves that control blood flow through your veins. All along the veins, there are valves that allow blood to flow in one direction but prevent it from going back the wrong way.

If any of the valves aren’t closing properly, blood can start to leak back through and then collect in pools. It’s the buildup of this blood that makes your veins swell and become visible, and the more the blood collects, the more swollen and twisted the varicose veins become.

How are varicose veins treated?

If you start to develop varicose veins, you can take action yourself to stop them from getting worse, such as losing weight and being more active. Compression stockings also help by encouraging the blood to flow in the right direction.

If you feel your varicose veins are unsightly or they’re causing unpleasant symptoms, the team at Mission Surgical Clinic can help with advanced, minimally invasive treatments such as:

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a chemical solution into the varicose vein that seals it off so blood can’t flow through. Your body redirects the blood through unblocked veins, and in time, the treated vein breaks down and disappears.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy uses concentrated light energy to heat the varicose vein and close it off, after which it gradually disappears. This procedure is entirely noninvasive and most suited to smaller varicose veins.

Radiofrequency or laser ablation

The ablation technique is more powerful than noninvasive laser therapy, so it’s suitable for larger varicose veins. Your provider directs the radiofrequency or laser energy into the varicose vein via a catheter, causing the vein to collapse. The vein then breaks down as with the other methods.

If your varicose veins are troubling you, take advantage of the latest treatment techniques by visiting Mission Surgical Clinic. Call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online today.