Topics Covered in This Blog:
- When Should I Be Concerned About Varicose Veins?
- When Do Varicose Veins Need Treatment?
- When to Worry and Seek Treatment at USA Vein Clinics
- Schedule Vein Treatment at USA Vein Clinics
Did you know that varicose veins are one of the most common health conditions in the United States? More than 40 million individuals suffer from this uncomfortable and sometimes unsightly ailment. Unfortunately, many people believe that these veins pose no real health danger. This simply isn’t true.
The reality is that varicose veins are often a sign of underlying vein disease, also known as venous insufficiency. Vein disease occurs when damaged vein valves cause blood to pool within the legs. This can result in unpleasant or painful symptoms. It can also increase your risk of developing dangerous conditions like blood clots and venous ulcers.
At USA Vein Clinics, we believe that you shouldn’t delay essential treatment. Here’s everything you need to know about varicose vein symptoms, when to worry about varicose veins, and the benefits of receiving timely vein treatment.
When Should I Be Concerned About Varicose Veins?
While not all veins are cause for alarm, it is important to understand when to worry about veins in your legs. If you are concerned about “Should I get my varicose veins treated?” we suggest that you keep an eye out for these common varicose vein symptoms:
- A feeling of heaviness in the legs
- Swelling in the calves, ankles, or feet
- An itching or burning sensation near your visible veins
- Pain relief when legs are elevated
- Restlessness, especially at night
- Leg cramping or aching
- Difficulty standing for long periods
- Slow-healing or non-healing wounds
- Skin discoloration
If you are considering Should I get my varicose veins treated?” for your varicose veins, read on. Three symptoms frequently point to a more serious issue that requires care. Swollen legs and feet could be a sign of poor circulation, especially if you are overweight, a smoker, or sit for long periods.
Leg pain indicates that you must seek medical care for your varicose veins. Lower leg pain is frequently a sign of an underlying medical condition unless you have sustained an injury. If the pain is caused by vein disease, it occurs because of blood pooling in the legs. You may experience pain when walking or bending over to pick up something. The pain may lessen or go away completely when you put your legs up to rest.
If you question when varicose veins need treatment, you should consider their physical appearance. If the skin in your legs is discolored, it may indicate poor circulation and vein disease. You may notice red, blue, or purple coloring on your legs. Wounds can take longer to heal due to poor blood flow because blood carries vital nutrients necessary for proper healing.
If you are concerned about varicose veins and when to worry that they may indicate underlying health issues, you should also take into account if you exhibit any risk factors. Pregnancy and obesity can lead to varicose veins due to extra pressure on the veins. A family history of varicose veins increases the likelihood you’ll develop them, but it isn’t guaranteed. Women are also at a higher risk than people over age 50 for vein disease.
Don’t just brush these issues aside. Only about 10 percent of affected individuals seek treatment, but varicose veins don’t just disappear on their own. They usually get worse over time. Early intervention can quickly eliminate pain and other unpleasant symptoms while lowering your risk of developing related complications. The answer to when to worry about varicose veins is anytime you notice their existence and have accompanying symptoms.
If you believe you may have varicose veins, we suggest contacting your doctor for medical evaluation as soon as possible. Have you avoided getting help because you don’t want surgery? Various effective vein treatments exist –– including several minimally invasive, office-based procedures.
When Do Varicose Veins Need Treatment?
If you are already experiencing pain or discomfort, it is probably time to stop wondering when to treat varicose veins. Instead, make an appointment with a vein specialist. Even if you have less obvious symptoms, you may also want to explore vein treatment. Because symptoms tend to progress over time, you can benefit from receiving treatment sooner rather than later.
Many of our patients have told us they initially believed their uncomfortable leg symptoms were due to other causes like aging or arthritis. If you’re not sure whether varicose veins cause your symptoms, go ahead and request an evaluation.
If you are predisposed to vein disease, we recommend getting checked regularly by a vein specialist. You may be at greater risk for developing vein issues if you:
- Have a family history of varicose veins
- Are female
- Are over the age of 50
- Are overweight or obese
The bottom line is that careful monitoring and early detection can help you avoid developing painful symptoms in the future. Seeking early treatment shouldn’t be about wondering when to worry about varicose veins but about advocating for your health and preventing the condition from getting worse in the future.
Varicose Veins: When to Worry and Seek Treatment at USA Vein Clinics
You may avoid vein treatment because you think your veins need to be removed surgically. This doesn’t sound very pleasant to anybody. You may fear pain from such a surgery or wish to avoid a long recovery afterward. Fortunately, vein surgery is far from your only option.
We offer specialized treatment techniques at USA Vein Clinics that can block off malfunctioning veins while leaving them in place. After an initial consultation with one of our experts, we can determine which treatment is best for your situation.
Our non-surgical, office-based procedures are all FDA-approved to effectively treat your varicose veins at their source. We provide the following treatments:
- Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): This technique is considered the gold standard for treating vein disease. During this procedure, your doctor will use ultrasound guidance to insert a fine laser fiber into the problematic vein. They will use laser-based energy to heat and close the malfunctioning valve. Immediately afterward, your surrounding veins will take over normal blood flow.
- Varithena Vein Treatment: Often used to treat issues involving the great saphenous vein (GSV), this procedure also uses ultrasound guidance. Your doctor will place a tiny catheter into the vein to inject Varithena foam. The foam will then cause the malfunctioning vein to collapse. Afterward, blood flow will be redirected into surrounding, healthy veins.
- Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy: We also use guided ultrasound with this technique –– typically used to treat veins near the skin’s surface. Your doctor will inject a treatment solution into problematic varicose veins which causes them to close.
- ClariVein®: Also referred to as mechanochemical ablation, this catheter-based treatment uses mechanical and chemical methods to treat damaged varicose veins.
- VenaSeal™: This treatment provides immediate vein closure and quick relief from painful and uncomfortable symptoms. A small amount of specially-formulated medical adhesive is delivered to the affected vein through a small catheter – the adhesive aims to seal, or close, the diseased vein. Once the affected vein is sealed off, blood flow is rerouted to nearby healthy veins, and symptoms begin to improve.
Most of our procedures can take only 15 to 30 minutes. You should plan for some extra time to check in beforehand and get dressed afterward. General anesthesia or sedation isn’t necessary, but you may want to bring a companion to drive you home. After treatment, you can leave our clinic and resume normal activity. It is generally advised that you avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for two weeks.
Schedule Vein Treatment at USA Vein Clinics Today
At USA Vein Clinics, we believe that vein treatment should be easily accessible, affordable, and convenient. After all, you’ve got enough to worry about already. We now offer 90 convenient locations across 14 states. If you prefer, we also have virtual telemedicine appointments to help reduce the number of in-office visits. Most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, typically cover vein treatment.
Our vein experts can help you find the answer to “When should I be concerned about varicose veins?” They will help you determine the right solution to treat your varicose veins and get you back to normal, active living. Don’t wait around any longer! Contact us today by calling 888.768.3467 today or request an appointment.
