Varicose Veins: Not Just for Old People

People often associate varicose veins with older people, and it’s true that many of us develop issues with varicose veins as we age. However, it is a fallacy that varicose veins cannot also affect younger people. In fact, some teenagers develop them.

Varicose veins may cause pain or discomfort, but sometimes symptoms are only blue or purplish veins that appear twisted or bulging. They usually occur in the legs and feet, but any vein can become varicose.

People can choose to self-care when dealing with mild varicose or spider veins. Compression socks, elevating your feet, and exercise are all ways that people can manage symptoms.

However, bulging veins can cause a cramping feeling in your lower legs or feet. When they become painful, you should definitely consult a doctor. But varicose or spider veins can also be a cosmetic issue.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

While age is definitely a factor, varicose veins can be caused by a variety of factors. Many cases result from pregnancy. People who stand or sit for long periods of time may also be at risk. They are also more common in women and people who struggle with weight issues can also have problems.

Anybody Can Develop Them

But the biggest risk factor for developing varicose or veins is family history. In fact, family history accounts for 80 percent of all cases. As a result, younger people may also suffer from varicose or spider veins, and even teenagers can develop them.

In fact, Charlotte Holmes, the former Miss England, suffered from varicose veins as a child and reported having to use makeup to cover her legs when she began her modeling career at 17-years-old.

So despite the misconception that they are caused by old age, the truth is that anyone at any age can develop bulging veins because it is most often an issue of heredity.

For those who are exhausted with plucking, shaving, or waxing, or for those who have more serious issues involving unwanted hair growth, CynoSure offers a laser hair removal solution that is safe and can be used on all types of skin.

How CynoSure Works

The way CynoSure laser hair removal works is by sending gentle pulses of energy into a hair follicle, making it impossible for the hair to regrow. Patients who have used CynoSure say that there is little to no pain. In fact, most patients say there is no discomfort at all. Laser hair removal is one of the most common non-surgical procedures.

Another great advantage of CynoSure is that it can be used on all types of skin, so people with tan or dark skin can be confident in using laser hair removal without worrying that it will leave blemishes.

Permanent Hair Reduction

CynoSure offers permanent hair reduction for those suffering from unwanted, unattractive hair or ingrown hair. CynoSure can be used to treat the face and the body, and patients can feel secure knowing that it will leave them with smooth, silky skin in the areas where the hair has been removed. Unlike painful depilatory cremes or waxing, Cynosure grants you the freedom of a virtually pain-free hair removal experience.

How Many Treatments Are Needed?

Because of the natural growth cycles of hair, multiple treatments are required, and the number of treatments is often determined by the skin tone and the area of the body where the hair is being removed. For instance, more treatments will be required if the hair is being removed from the legs or the back than if it is being removed from the lip or face, and darker skin tones will typically require more treatments than lighter skin tones.

The reason darker skin tones require more treatments is that the laser must target the pigment within the hair follicle without being absorbed by the surrounding skin. If too much of the laser is absorbed by the skin, it can become uncomfortable.

When you have varicose veins, there are lots of concerns. Most people are concerned about the look of the veins, but there are major health reasons to fix varicose veins. Varicose veins are caused by values that are weakened mostly in your lower and upper legs. When these values are not working the right way blood collects in your legs. This also causes a buildup of pressure in these veins. These veins become large, twisted, and weak and most bulge toward the surface of the skin.

Minimally Invasive

The CloseureFast process that has been developed is to treat varicose veins in a minimally invasive procedure. The system utilizes radiofrequency (RF) energy to provide an even and uniform heat to contract the collagen in the vein walls. This will make the veins con contract and collapse and then seal. Once the vein and trouble areas are closed the blood will route itself to other healthy veins.

Limited Downtime

This procedure can be completed in a medical office and the device used is quite small. This allows for a quick and comfortable recovery. This will allow you to return to your regular activities and the everyday routine you are used to. The patient will not only feel better, but many of the varicose veins will improve in appearance.

The ClosureFast procedure has been proven in clinical studies to have excellent long-term effectiveness, with less pain and bruising than endovenous laser treatments.  With lots of procedures on the market, it is good to explore your options and pick the one that makes sense for you with the best long-term results.

Ambulatory Micro-Phlebectomy is a minor surgical procedure that will remove the large surface varicose veins. This procedure is an ancillary procedure that is typically reserved for removing remaining varicose veins that did not disappear after the treatment of refluxing superficial veins.  This is done by making small incisions along the length of the varicose vein. Then a segment of the vein is removed with a specialized instrument that is similar in shape to a crochet hook. With this procedure, there is no need for stitches and the procedure is done with a local anesthetic.

Little Discomfort and Quick Recovery

This procedure typically can be some in the office and will take around two hours to complete. The time will depend on how many vein segments will need to be removed. The procedure has very little discomfort and very little downtime. Recovery is just a few short days and you can be back to your regular routine. Many of our clients have resumed work or normal activities within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

While the Ambulatory Micro-Phlebectomy procedure is being completed you will be resting comfortably on the exam table. After the procedure, there will be adhesive strips applied to the incisions with special bandages and then the leg will be wrapped in a snug compression wrap.

Long-Lasting Results

The incisions themselves will heal in about a week the results will last for years to come. Most people feel the results in just a few days and feel a lot healthier from this procedure. Most clients will see a very visible reduction in varicose veins in six months where the trouble spots are greatly reduced or will completely disappear.

Once the procedure is completed and you have the right amount of time to heal more than likely you will never have to have this type of treatment again. Just after the procedure is completed some patients will need prescription pain medication, but most just use over-the-counter pain relief products.

None of us want to look down on the first day of summer and be greeted with the sight of legs that look 30 years older than we are. And yet, 25 million Americans see just that. 41% of women over the age of 50 have varicose veins. And the statistics only get higher as we age. While there are several self-care tips that doctors can give, there are alternatives for getting rid of your varicose and spider veins for good.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a procedure where a solution called a sclerosant is injected into the vein itself to redirect the blood to a healthier vein. The procedure is successful with most cases of spider veins and smaller varicose veins and causes minimal disruption in your daily life.

Sclerotherapy Benefits

Cosmetic

This is, overall, a cosmetic procedure, and will do everything to eliminate the visual effects of varicose veins.

Cost-Effective

Because this is a cosmetic procedure, most insurance companies won’t cover it. However, it’s still a much cheaper option than having surgery. This brings us to…

No Overnight Hospital Stay

Unlike surgery, you would most likely be able to return to your normal activities later that day. Of course, this is at the discretion of your doctor, but this is not a procedure that will leave you laid out for a week.

No Pain, All Gain

As I said before, this is overall considered to be a cosmetic procedure. However, there have been cases where Sclerotherapy has helped to relieve the aching symptom that is caused by spider veins.

See If Sclerotherapy Is Right for You!

As with all medical procedures or injections, cosmetic or otherwise, talk with your doctor about whether or not sclerotherapy is a viable option for you. It could be your one-way ticket back into a summer wardrobe that shows off your legs!

Are your legs hurting to the point you need to elevate them? You are not alone. What are bulging veins? What causes bulging veins? What treatments are available for bulging veins? The following information will address these questions.

What Are Bulging Varicose Veins?

Mostly located in the legs, bulging veins may cause intense pain. Many times, they are symptoms of varying medical conditions, such as the following:

  • Pregnancy
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Advanced age

Veins begin to bulge when their valves cease working correctly, and the blood starts to pool, thus causing the veins to swell.

What Are Some Causes and Symptoms of Bulging Veins?

This article indicated above that older age, pregnancy, and thrombophlebitis are a few conditions that can cause bulging veins, but there are other symptoms that can point to varicose veins:

  • Pain after standing or sitting for extended periods of time
  • Blue or dark purple veins
  • Legs that feel heavy
  • Swelling in the lower legs

Bulging veins may also be a by-product of a blood clot, long-term inactivity, tumor, or an infection. Some of these causes are potentially life-threatening, so check with your medical doctor.

Are There Treatments for Bulging Veins?

There is a myriad of treatments to relieve patients of their sometimes-painful bulging veins. Before physicians schedule surgical procedures for bulging veins, they will prescribe lifestyle changes as a first treatment option. Some of those changes are as follows:

  • Lose weight if obesity is an issue.
  • Regular exercise in order to keep the blood flowing through the veins.
  • Avoid sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
  • Avoid overly tight clothing

Other treatments may include the following:

If you have bulging veins and wonder what course of treatment is right for you, make an appointment to speak with your physician today.

Many people have asked this, as it is a legitimate question to ask. When you see varicose or spider veins your first thoughts might wonder whether or not they’re permanent, what they are, and whether or not they can be removed.

The answers can be different for different people, as every patient is unique. Varicose veins are permanent. But much like other things that claim to be permanent, they can be reduced or completely removed. This outcome depends on the patient’s physiology, the length of time the varicose veins have been there, and how frequently and consistently treatments are.

The Facts

As far as what varicose veins are, that’s a pretty nailed-down set of facts. Varicose veins are veins that are swollen, twisted, and can be seen beneath the surface of the skin. Typically, they occur in the legs, but they can form on many different parts of the body and for different reasons. Though a normal condition that doesn’t typically require attention, there are some symptoms that include moderate pain, skin ulcers, blood clots, and other problems.

To help the veins in your body pump blood in one direction, they are equipped with valves that are one-way. These valves or flaps essentially stop blood from flowing away from your heart. When the valves get damaged or weakened, blood backs up and pools in your veins. This is what creates varicose veins that you’re able to see through the skin.

What Do Varicose Veins Mean for Me?

Typically, varicose veins are benign and don’t cause any type of medical problems. However, if your legs feel heavy often, or you feel pain in the areas around your varicose veins, you may need to be seen for diagnosis and treatment of your varicose veins. Many times, veins are treated not just to make them feel better but to make them look better.

There are various medical procedures that can assist with the discomfort and unsightly look of varicose and spider veins. Over 30 million Americans struggle with varicose veins, or the more serious form called chronic venous insufficiency, and less than 7% of them actually do anything to treat the condition.

If the condition persists, it could lead to more serious complications. That’s why taking care of varicose veins while they’re still small can make a huge difference down the road. When varicose veins lead to chronic venous insufficiency, the side effects can be somewhat severe. Ranging from visible ulcers on the affected area to nighttime leg cramps, and sometimes, even to blood clots.

What Are the Potential Causes of Varicose Veins?

Though heredity has something to do with the appearance and prevalence of varicose veins, oftentimes they are formed from people with conditions such as pregnancy, obesity, menopause, age, leg injuries, and repeated long sitting or standing.

There are quite a few treatments that modern medicine has allowed to treat varicose veins and reduce the pain, discomfort, or look of varicose veins. The different methods of treatment today can vary. Some involve lasers, some may require small injections, while others may include invasive or non-invasive treatment. The treatments offered by The Vein Specialists of NW Georgia include:

These treatments are minimally invasive and don’t take up a lot of time and are outpatient appointments. So you can still live your life and get reduce the look of varicose veins without inconveniencing yourself.