Varicose Veins Treatment

The treatment of varicose veins is what USA Vein Clinics specializes in. We understand that when you’re walking, running or wearing shorts or skirts, your legs should be a source of pride.

If you are among the 80 million Americans who suffer from varicose veins or venous insufficiency, you may be embarrassed by the appearance or frustrated by the function of your legs. USA Vein Clinics are a network of leading vein treatment centers that can help you get rid of varicose veins. Our highly experienced cardiovascular doctors treat varicose veins, spider veins, and other forms of vein disease, so that you can enjoy the look and feel of healthy limbs once again.

USA Vein Clinics has several locations across the United States.
Find our vein clinics in Brooklyn, Elk Grove Village, Chicago, Boston,West Hollywood, Queens, Northbrook and Valley Village.

Common Questions About Varicose Veins Treatment

Read some of the questions and answers below regarding the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins and make sure to contact us if you have any questions. A representative from USA Vein Clinics will be more than delighted to respond to you in a short time.

How do I know if I need vein treatment?
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
What are the symptoms of spider veins?
What causes varicose veins and spider veins?
What factors increase my risk of varicose veins and spider veins?
Why do varicose veins and spider veins usually appear in the legs?
Are varicose veins and spider veins dangerous?

How do I know if I need vein treatment?

Venous disease refers to the failure of veins to carry out their function properly. Healthy veins bring blood from the limbs and extremities back to the heart. But for reasons including weight gain, physical stress, pregnancy and heredity, sometimes veins start to fail and develop a condition called venous reflux, the cause of varicose veins. When this happens, it is necessary to correct the problem so that your veins can function normally again.

Despite the common belief that people with vein problems always have noticeable varicose veins, the majority of patients do not have visible signs of the disease.

They often suffer from fatigue, heaviness, aching pains, burning, itching, cramps and limping. Some people only have varicose veins, while others have “spider” veins. Regardless of the type of venous disorder, the condition can eventually lead to serious complications, including trophic ulcers, bleeding, infection and blood clot formation.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

• Ropy, bulging or knotty appearance of leg veins near the surface of the skin
• Blue or dark red discoloration of veins
• Chronic tiredness in legs
• Aching, burning or throbbing legs
• Difficulty walking more than a short distance

What are the symptoms of spider veins?

Although less likely to have physical manifestations than varicose veins, spider veins are also indicative of vein disease and can be detected by the appearance of tiny red or blue lines with a cobweb- or roadmap-like appearance close to the surface of the skin.

What causes varicose veins and spider veins?

The root cause of varicose veins is often found to be weak or even damaged valves in the veins. The heart pumps the blood, filled with oxygen and nutrients, throughout the body using arteries. Veins then carry blood back to the heart. As your leg muscles contract , they push blood back to the heart from your legs defying the force of gravity. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps to prevent blood from accumulating in the legs. If the valves become weak, the blood can then lead back in to the veins and collect there. This problem is known as venous insufficiency. When backed-up blood makes the veins larger, the veins then become varicose.

What factors increase my risk of varicose veins and spider veins?

Many factors increase a person’s chances of developing varicose or spider veins. These include:

• Increasing age. As you get older, the valves in your veins may weaken and not work as well.
• Medical history. Being born with weak vein valves increases your risk. Having family members with vein problems also increases your risk. About half of all people who have varicose veins have a family member who has them as well.
• Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone may also contribute to the forming of varicose or spider veins.
• Pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The growing uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. More varicose veins and spider veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy.
• Obesity. Being overweight or obese can put extra pressure on your veins, which can lead to varicose veins.
• Lack of movement. Sitting or standing for a long time may force your veins to work harder to pump blood to your heart. This may be a bigger problem if you sit with your legs bent or crossed.
• Sun exposure. This can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person.

Why do varicose veins and spider veins usually appear in the legs?

Most varicose and spider veins appear in legs because of the pressure placed on them due to body weight, force of gravity, and the task of carrying blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart.

Compared with other veins in the body, leg veins have the most pressure placed on them to carry the blood back to the heart. They endure the most pressure which can overpower the one-way valves in the veins.

Are varicose veins and spider veins dangerous?

It is very rare that spider veins become a very serious health problem, but they do cause uncomfortable feelings in the legs. The most common symptoms associated with spider veins are itching or burning. Less commonly, spider veins can be indicative of a blood backup deeper in the veins. If so, the same symptoms manifest as with varicose veins.

Varicose veins can either cause no problems or they may cause aching pain, throbbing and discomfort. In some cases, varicose veins lead to even more serious health problems.

• Sores or skin ulcers- These are caused by long term backing up of the blood. These sores or ulcers are painful and hard to heal. Sometimes they cannot heal until the backward blood flow in the vein is repaired.
• Bleeding- The skin over the veins becomes thin and easily injured. When an injury occurs, there can be significant blood less.
• Superficial thrombophlebitis- This is a blood clot that forms in a vein just below the skin. Symptoms include but are not limited to skin redness; a firm, tender, warm, vein; and sometimes pain and swelling.
• Deep vein thrombosis- These are blood clots deeper in the vein. It can cause a “pulling” feeling in the calf, pain, warmth, redness and swelling.  However, with some cases, no symptoms at all may appear. If the blood clot travels to the lungs, it can be fatal.