What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are weak, gnarled, discolored veins that are no longer effective at transporting blood back to the heart. Causes of varicose veins include pregnancy, weight gain, excessive standing, circulatory diseases, injuries to the legs, hormonal changes and normal aging. Purple or bluish bulges begin to appear in a person's legs and groin as the blood builds up and pools inside these veins. Unattractive and sometimes painful, untreated varicose veins can lead to serious medical problems. Varicose veins require medical treatment and do not go away on their own.

Symptoms of Varicose Vein Disease
You may have varicose veins disease if you experience the following symptoms in association with your veins: pain or discomfort, aching, burning, throbbing, itching, muscle cramping. Extended sitting or standing may aggravate the symptoms; however, not all people who have varicose vein disease experience symptoms.

Diagnosis
Your doctor will diagnose varicose vein disease by completing a thorough physical examination as well as taking a medical history and examining your blood for circulation disorders. Sometimes phlebography (x-rays of the veins) or ultrasound may be used to diagnose the disease in specific veins.

Treating Varicose Vein Disease
Various treatments are available for varicose vein diseases, all of which involve closing the damaged veins to prevent blood from flowing through them. As blood is re-routed through unaffected veins, symptoms begin to decrease and appearance improves.

Some of the common treatments for varicose veins include: vein ligation, vein stripping, sclerotherapy, endovenous laser surgery (EVLT), catheter-assisted procedures, and ambulatory phlebectomy. Depending on the size and location of the affected veins, your doctor will help you choose the best procedure for you. Sometimes more than one procedure may be required.

Vein Ligation and Vein Stripping. The recommended treatments for varicose veins for a very long time were vein stripping or vein ligation. Both procedures involve small incisions placed over the affected veins. Veins are removed during stripping and tied off to prevent blood flow during ligation. General anesthesia, moderate pain, and permanent scarring are the norm with both types of surgery.

Sclerotherapy. Doctors often use this technique to disappear small to medium sized varicose veins and/or spider veins. Doctors inject a chemical into the affected veins, creating a scar and effectively closing them.

Should I Get Treatment?
Varicose veins should be treated sooner rather than later to avoid serious problems in the future. Skin ulcers, phlebitis (inflammation of the veins), blood clots and even vein ruptures can occur when these veins are left untreated.

Varicose Vein Doctors
Don't go to just any doctor for treatment of your varicose or spider veins. To ensure you receive the best and safest care, consult with a phlebologist, vascular surgeon, or visit a comprehensive vein treatment center. Through these experts, you can be sure you'll have access to the latest advancements in vein disease treatment.