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Welcome to the Vein Care Center at Northwest. Our vein center provides care that is tailored to each patient’s individual needs. Most of all, we’re dedicated to giving patients the care they need to have legs that not only feel better, but look better, too. Restoring legs to their healthy, pain-free state is what we do with pride.
Our physicians use non-surgical techniques that can help patients get back to their normal activities. No general anesthesia or hospitalization is required.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged “rope-like” veins – blood vessels that are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They can be flesh-colored, dark purple or blue and often look like a cluster of grapes. They are commonly found on the back of the calves or the inside of the legs. However, they can form anywhere on the legs, from groin to ankle.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins result from abnormal inner walls or abnormal valves in these blood vessels. Blood is carried through arteries from the heart to the rest of the body and returned to the heart through the body’s veins, called the venous system.
Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps, preventing blood from backing up and pooling. When these one-way valves don’t work properly, blood may flow backwards, causing the veins to dilate (enlarge) and become varicose. The technical terms for this condition are venous reflux or venous insufficiency.
How common are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are very common. Millions of Americans suffer from disease of the veins. Varicose veins are more prominent in women, but approximately 15 to 20 percent of men suffer from some form of vein problems as well. Varicose veins affect one out of every two people over the age of 50.
What are the risk factors for varicose veins?
- Increasing age
- Family History
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing
- Prior deep venous thrombosis
What are the signs and symptoms of varicose veins?
In many cases, varicose and spider veins cause no symptoms. However, these veins are often unattractive and may become painful. Prolonged sitting or standing tends to make legs with varicose veins feel worse. Some common symptoms of them include:
- Aching pain
- Burning
- Easily tired legs
- Leg heaviness
- Rash on the legs
- Itching
- Leg swelling
- Numbness in the legs
- Darkening of the skin
- Skin ulcers
When to seek medical advice?
Self-help measures can help ease the pain of varicose veins and may prevent them from getting worse. But if the way they look and feel becomes a concern or if self-help measures are not successful, then it’s time to see a physician.