Varicose Veins Specialist

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a common issue for people of all races and genders, regardless of their age. However, these problem veins are most likely to develop from middle age onward. They usually affect your legs but can appear elsewhere.

These unhealthy veins form twisted coils that often show through your skin in shades of red, blue, or purple. They may not be painful or anything other than a nuisance to start with but can cause more serious problems if left untreated.

The underlying cause of varicose veins is most likely chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI occurs when the valves in your leg veins are weakened or damaged, which prevents them from closing properly.

If they're not closing, it allows blood to leak back down the veins, where it collects, making the blood vessels swell and producing varicose veins.

Why have I got varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a problem for many people, especially in older age. The effect of aging on your body results in the valves losing their strength and leads to gradual deterioration of your leg muscles and veins.

You're more likely to get varicose veins if you have risk factors such as:

• Being overweight or obese
• Standing or sitting for extended periods
• Insufficient exercise
• Smoking
• Family history
• Being female
• Pregnancy
  
  

To diagnose your varicose veins, Dr. Muttiana performs a physical exam and reviews your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. To assess your varicose veins and determine which ones need treating, he might also carry out a vascular ultrasound.

What symptoms might varicose veins cause?

As well as their unsightliness, varicose veins can cause various other symptoms, such as:

• Itching
• Fatigue
• Burning
• Leg pain
• Tingling
• Heaviness
• Soreness
• Throbbing
• Cramping
• Night cramps
• Restless legs
• Swollen legs
• Discoloration of the skin around the veins
  
  

Severe varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency can lead to open sores called ulcers developing where the tissues of your legs and feet deteriorate. A nasty, infected ulcer could, in turn, lead to amputation of the limb if no other treatments are working.

How are varicose veins treated?

Cardiovascular Institute, P.A., offers advanced treatments for varicose veins such as:

VenaSeal™ Closure System

VenaSeal™ glues the walls of a diseased vein together to stop blood from flowing through and pooling.

ClosureFast™ Procedure

ClosureFast™ radiofrequency treatment causes the vein walls to collapse, which blocks off the diseased vein.

After your treatment, blood that would have used the varicose veins finds a different path along one of the many other blood vessels. The treated veins shrivel and eventually disappear.

If you can see varicose veins developing, call Cardiovascular Institute, P.A., or book an appointment online today.