Category: Varicose Veins

Varicose veins and spider veins can cause a myriad of problems that can affect your daily activity. Indicators of varicose veins are:

• Swelling and bulging of the vein which will appear bluish or purplish in color
• Leg and/or foot pain
• A heavy feeling in the legs
• Achiness
• Legs cramps
• Occasionally blood clots.

Patients with varicose and spider veins should seek supervised care by a physician at an Orlando vein treatment center.

Traditional treatments have changed over time. Most non-invasive courses of intervention included wearing of compression stockings combined with frequent elevation of the legs to reduce symptoms. Prescription anti-inflammatory drugs are still sometimes prescribed to ease symptoms.

Surgical removal of the vein, “vein stripping”, and “vein stripping with ligation”, or “phlebectomy” are all different names for the same invasive procedure. Basically the diseased vein is tied off and removed from the leg, either through an incision in the groin or behind the knee, or both. This treatment requires general anesthesia and is now only performed in certain cases. The recuperation time can be several weeks.

Sclerotherapy, another treatment option, combines ultrasound guidance to the superficial diseased veins that are then typically injected with a liquid or foam that promotes the collapse of the veins, which are ultimately reabsorbed by the body.

Another commonly prescribed minimally-invasive treatment includes radio-wave or radio-frequency ablation of the superficial vein. Guided through a small catheter, the radio-wave energy is introduced through a small incision in the affected vein, resulting in the vein being sealed off through the heat generated. Endovenous laser therapy is also a form of ablation, however as its name suggests, a laser pulse is used to generate the heat required to seal off the damaged vein.

With sclerotherapy, radio-frequency, and endovenous laser therapy, the vein is closed off then the body adjusts and reroutes the blood supply to nearby vessels.

There is no anesthesia required for these procedures other than a minor injection of a numbing agent, usually lidocaine, at the procedure site or sites. Depending on the severity, a mild sedative might be prescribed. Patients can usually return to normal activity immediately after any of the above minimally invasive procedures. Some patients, though rare, have reported experiencing minimal bruising, swelling or scarring.

Patients are encouraged to discuss varicose vein treatment options with their physician at an Orlando vein care center to determine the right option for them. Please contact our expert staff at the Florida Vein Care and Cosmetic Center at (407) 805-8989 and allow us to help you make an informed decision when selecting the varicose vein treatment that is right for you.  You deserve to live symptom free and to have health and beauty restored to your legs.

While often associated with women of “a certain age”, varicose veins can occur at any time in life and are found to occur in both genders, although they are more prevalently diagnosed in women. Before you decide to seek varicose veins treatment in Orlando, here are some important facts that you should know about varicose veins:

1. Varicose veins occur mainly in the thighs, legs and feet, although they can occur elsewhere in the body. They do not always cause discomfort.
2. Varicosity is sometimes more of a cosmetic issue than it is a serious medical issue. They are unsightly and a cause of embarrassment. Be sure to pay attention to changes that require medical advice.
3. Age is a contributing factor of developing varicose veins, as is obesity.
4. Varicose veins can occur during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes. Also, taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy can also trigger their occurrence.
5. The most prevalent cause of varicose veins seems to be associated with a weakness in the walls of the veins, weakness or absence of valves in the vein, or venous disease.  When the blood is not circulating properly, as a result of either kind of weakness, it begins to pool and the buildup of blood then causes the vein to distend or bulge.
6. Varicose veins can cause your legs to feel heavy, achy, or tired. Your veins may appear visibly swollen, and you may see swelling in your ankles and feet. Some patients even report itchiness.
7. In severe cases of varicose veins, you may experience ulcerations of the skin, leg and/or calf pain after standing or sitting for too long, leg swelling, dry/scaly skin that cracks, and large areas of discoloration. The legs or feet may start to look blue or purple in color, and the veins look thick, bulging or crooked.

There are several things that you can do at home to try to alleviate the discomfort of varicose veins such as:

• Wearing support hose to help stabilize the pressure in your veins, which allows blood to circulate more normally.
• Reducing the period of time you spend standing or sitting in one place.
• Forcing yourself to either sit, or walk around, as any kind of different motion will help your veins function more efficiently.
• Exercising regularly and keep your weight down.
• Trying to elevate your legs so that your ankles are higher than your heart for 15 minute periods, several times a day.

If you notice increased pain or swelling in your ankles or legs, you should consult a medical professional.

To learn more about varicose veins and varicose veins treatment in Orlando options available, please call (407) 805-8989 and schedule an appointment with Florida Vein Center. Dr. Bragg and his staff are here to help and to answer any questions you may have.