When to Consider Treatment for Varicose Veins

There's no question: Varicose veins are unsightly. Their twisted, bulging, and discolored appearance can make you feel embarrassed to show your legs. While varicose veins aren't always dangerous, they are a sign of venous insufficiency. This means the valves in the veins in your legs aren't functioning efficiently.

A vein specialist is your best resource when considering varicose vein treatment. Here at CA Heart and Vein Specialists, board-certified cardiovascular physician Majed Chane, MD, diagnoses and treats a full range of conditions that affect your cardiovascular system, including varicose veins.

Complications of varicose veins

Aside from the cosmetic implications, varicose veins are a sign of less than optimal vascular function in your legs. Without treatment, varicose veins can cause uncomfortable symptoms including:

• A heavy feeling in the legs
• Cramping and leg pain
• Pain that worsens after extended periods of inactivity
• Itching and burning around the affected veins

When it comes to varicose veins, the sooner you seek treatment, the better.

What causes varicose veins?

The characteristic rope-like, purplish veins can affect your self-confidence and how you feel about the appearance of your legs. Varicose veins can develop anywhere; however, due to the force of gravity, they’re much more likely to occur in your legs.

Varicose veins occur when one-way vein valves meant to keep blood flowing toward the heart fail to function efficiently. For various reasons — such as heredity, excess weight, inactivity, and sitting too much — the valves in your veins can weaken. When this happens, blood flows backward and pools, increasing pressure against vein walls. 

Over time, this increased pressure weakens vein walls and affects their integrity. As a result, veins bulge and become twisted. Because varicose veins are near the surface of the skin, they’re easily visible.

Who should consider varicose vein treatment?

Varicose vein treatment does more than improve the appearance of your legs; it also improves your vascular health. This makes varicose vein treatment beneficial for nearly everyone with varicose veins.

When you’re unhappy with the look of your varicose veins or if you experience uncomfortable symptoms, it’s time to consider treatment. If you notice varicose veins anywhere on your body, schedule a consultation to determine the best approach to addressing your varicose veins.

What does varicose vein treatment entail?

Dr. Chane offers various options for treating varicose veins. The treatment best suited to you depends on the size, number, and location of your varicose veins.

While approaches vary, treatment for varicose veins involves either closing off or directly removing bad veins. Varicose veins account for only a small percentage of blood flow, and eliminating the problem veins allows the body to reroute blood to healthy veins. Common varicose vein treatments include:

• Sclerotherapy
• Microphlebectomy
• VenaSeal™
• Mechano-chemical ablation
• Radiofrequency ablation

These procedures use different methods to eliminate bad veins. After a physical examination of your varicose veins and a discussion of your medical history, Dr. Chane can recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for you. 

Eliminate varicose veins

Varicose veins don’t go away on their own, but with effective treatment, you can improve your vascular health and the appearance of your legs. Dr. Chane specializes in minimally invasive approaches, which minimizes the risk of complications and produces excellent results. 

If you have varicose veins and you’re considering your treatment options, give us a call at 657-206-8630 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Chane, or send your booking request online today.