Your Questions Answered About Varicose Veins

Veins as they apply to the circulatory system are the network that carries blood throughout the body to and from the heart and lungs. They are called "varicose veins" when they bulge and enlarge and become visible on the surface of the skin. They are unsightly and appear mostly on the legs and thigh areas.

Men and women can get varicose veins and they can occur at any age. A common time to notice them is during the childbearing years for women and they are common in both sexes aged 50 and above. Family history also plays a part in your tendency to develop varicose veins.

It is not entirely known what causes people to develop varicose veins but it is known that when a backup of blood occurs in the vein that the vein can bulge. this backflow causes poor circulation. A weakness in the vein wall may also contribute to the condition. A disease such as phlebitis may also cause varicose veins to show on the skin's surface. Phlebitis is an inflammation of veins. Congenital abnormalities may also contribute to the presence of varicose veins.

Usually conditions involving veins cannot be prevented they can however be treated to bring some measure of relief by use of wearing support hosiery, and by being sure to maintain proper weight for your age and height. Exercise may also be beneficial.

Quite often the presence of varicose veins is only of cosmetic concern especially for women whom may be sensitive about appearances. When the varicose veins also concern the presence of ulcers than treatment is necessary. Your healthcare provider can help you decide whether or not treatment is necessary.

If treatment is deemed necessary or desired there are several options available. One option is to remove the affected vein using surgery or sclerotherapy. Not as common but a treatment that is still used is either laser or electro-cautery treatments. The surgery to treat varicose veins is commonly referred to as stripping.

Stripping veins is nothing new; it has been around since the 1950's. Sclerotherapy has been used in various different variations since the 1920's.

Procedures for varicose vein treatment may vary in their degree of pain depending on location of the vein, how deep it is and the person's tolerance level for pain. The procedures are performed using anesthesia so there is no pain during the procedure. The incision sites may be painful after the anesthesia wears off.

When undergoing sclerotherapy the degree to which pain is felt will be determined by how large a needle is used during the procedure. When a solution called: hypertonic saline is used there is pain as well as a burning or cramping upon injection of the solution into the vein. To minimize the discomfort, some doctors mix a mild local anesthesia into the hypertonic saline solution.

General and vascular surgeons perform most treatments for varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is performed by dermatologists with some general, vascular or plastic surgeons also performing sclerotherapy treatments. As is the case with any surgery, it is wise to consult with another surgeon or dermatologist for a 2nd opinion to be sure you are choosing the correct treatment for you.

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