A Guide to Vein Disease
Posted on August 23rd, 2022 by Texas Vein & Wellness Institute
Vein disease can cause irregular vein appearances and uncomfortable symptoms. It often occurs with age, but various factors can contribute to chronic vein insufficiency. Innovative treatments can significantly reduce symptoms and improve or eliminate the cosmetic appearance of veins.
We created a guide to vein disease to help you recognize symptoms and understand your treatment options. Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about venous disease.
Vein Disease Explained
Veins, arteries and valves make up the circulatory system, and they work together to send oxygenated blood throughout your body. Valves are responsible for sending blood back to your heart, and chronic venous insufficiency can develop when valves malfunction and obstruct blood flow. Common vein disease symptoms include the following:
- Leg pain
- Skin discoloration
- Blood clots
- Ulcers
- Swollen ankles, legs or feet
- Changes in vein appearance
- Redness, tenderness or warmth around an affected area
Common types of vein disease conditions include the following:
Spider Veins
These are small, superficial veins that appear on the skin’s surface. Venous reflux reverses blood flow and collects blood in the legs, causing these small veins to expand. Spider veins commonly appear with age, but they can also indicate the presence of other venous issues.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, dilated veins that turn purple. They develop when the circulatory system’s valves and veins malfunction. A vein’s main purpose is to transport blood to the heart, but varicose veins stop blood and collect it in the lower legs.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a deep vein develops a blood clot. It can occur in the legs, pelvis or arms. However, a pulmonary embolism or a stroke can occur if the clot travels to the lungs or the brain.
Risk Factors for Developing Vein Disease
Vein disease often occurs with age. It is common for women to experience vein conditions in their 40s, but men may not experience these conditions until they reach their 70s. The following additional factors can also increase the chances of developing vein disease:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Pregnancy or multiple pregnancies
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Long periods of standing
- Previous leg trauma
- Heart disease
- Prior diagnosis or family history of vein disease
How to Prevent Vein Disease
While vein conditions can often occur with age, there are some ways to prevent them or lessen the symptoms. To prevent vein disease, you can practice the following habits:
Healthy Diet
Simple lifestyle changes can help you prevent vein disease. It is important to ensure you get enough sleep and maintain a healthy diet. Drink plenty of water, and try to integrate the following foods into your daily meals:
- Broccoli
- Citrus
- Fish
- Mangoes
- Bell peppers
- Leafy greens
- Brown rice
- Lentils
- Chia seeds
Eating foods high in fiber, vitamin E and vitamin C will help your body achieve vein health. They promote and increase blood flow, keeping your circulatory system in optimal condition.
Exercise
Regular exercise also helps to prevent vein disease and ease symptoms. Yoga positions that elevate the legs above the heart can aid blood flow and relieve symptoms. Regular cardio exercise helps to keep the circulatory system healthy, and it can prevent veins and valves from malfunctioning.
Overall Healthy Choices
You can also prevent vein disease by making healthy choices. Avoid smoking, and make sure to take your prescribed blood pressure or cholesterol medication if needed. It is also important to get adequate sleep each night.
Vein Disease Treatments
The following guide to venous disease treatments includes the most innovative and effective methods providers use to treat vein disease. If you experience uncomfortable symptoms or highly visible veins, you can find relief and improved vein appearance with these minimally and non-invasive procedures:
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation delivers heat to a diseased vein using a thin catheter. This procedure uses radiofrequency energy to heat the vein, causing it to seal shut and naturally reroute blood to nearby healthy veins. This minimally invasive technique replaces the previous vein-stripping procedure, and it can treat large varicose veins in the leg.
Cutaneous Laser Therapy
Cutaneous laser therapy heats veins using a highly concentrated light beam. It effectively treats spider veins in the face and legs. No downtime is required following the procedure, and it is typically safe for the skin.
Phlebectomy
A microphlebectomy procedure removes bulging varicose veins from the leg and is often performed in combination with radiofrequency ablation for optimal cosmetic results. During this non-invasive procedure, providers make small punctures along a diseased vein and remove it using a specialized tool.
Endovenous Laser Ablation Surgery (ELAS)
Endovenous laser ablation surgery is an innovative, non-invasive surgery that treats varicose veins. During this procedure, providers reroute blood to healthy veins by closing a diseased vein with ultrasound guidance and a small incision. A laser fiber heats and closes the vein, and the vein eventually transforms into a scar.
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy / Verithena
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy uses ultrasound imaging and an injected sclerosant solution to target hidden abnormal veins. Ultrasound imaging creates a detailed map to help providers guide the needle with precise accuracy. The sclerosant solution collapses and closes the vein by irritating its wall, significantly reducing its appearance.
Visual Sclerotherapy
Visual sclerotherapy uses a pharmaceutical agent to treat small varicose veins and surface-level spider veins. Providers use a small needle to inject the pharmaceutical agent into abnormal veins and irritate the vein walls. The veins eventually seal shut and absorb into the body until their appearance fades. Sclerotherapy is also a common treatment for improving the appearance of hand veins.
Venaseal
Venaseal is an innovative method that treats vein disease without local anesthesia or heat. During this procedure, an FDA-approved glue-like substance closes problematic veins and redirects blood flow to healthier veins. This procedure only requires one small incision and should leave no scarring.
Receive Quality Vein Treatment at Texas Vein & Wellness Institute
Vein disease can occur due to various factors such as age, activity level, genetics, obesity and heart disease. Irregular vein appearance and uncomfortable symptoms such as pain and swelling often occur with vein disease, but innovative treatment methods offer effective solutions.
Texas Vein & Wellness Institute offers the most innovative vein treatment methods to help patients look and feel their best. Our center is one of only eight accredited Vein Centers in the entire state of Texas. At Texas Vein & Wellness Institute, friendly and highly experienced providers use the latest technology to treat patients and eliminate diseased veins to promote healthy circulation. Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment.