Vein
About Varicose Veins
Pittsburgh, PA | Columbus, OH
Varicose veins affect an estimated 40 percent of women and 25 percent of men in the United States, and can be a painful and progressive medical condition if left untreated. Varicose veins are caused by abnormal blood flow within the venous system and can be associated with numerous symptoms including:
- Leg Cramp
- Swelling
- Itching
- Discomfort
Learn more about Varicose Veins:
- Schedule a Free Consultation
- Causes of Varicose Veins
- Symptoms of Varicose Veins
- Complications of Varicose Veins
- Before and After Photos
- Varicose Vein Treatment
- Request a Brochure Now
At The Skin Center Medical Spa, your VEINfree® treatment program will begin with a private vein evaluation. During your evaluation, a vein specialist will review your symptoms, examine your varicose veins with diagnostic ultrasound technology and determine what type of vein treatment is right for you. Your VEINfree® treatment program may include:
- Varicose Vein Laser Surgery: EVLT
- Microphlebectomy Varicose Vein Treatment
- Sclerotherapy Spider Vein Treatment
- Facial Vein Treatment
Depending on the type and severity of your of vein disorder, your VEINfree® treatment program may be covered by most insurances.
Causes of Varicose Veins
Arteries transport oxygenated blood from the heart throughout the body by way of an elaborate network veins; veins, through one-way valves, channel "de-oxygenated" blood back to the heart to be re-circulated.
Varicose veins develop when there is an obstruction or when prolonged pressure is placed on the veins. The vein wall stretches and the valves no longer close properly, causing blood that should be moving toward the heart to flow backward. This condition is called venous reflux. Over time, as the blood collects in the veins, the vein walls are forced outward, resulting in enlargement and bulging.
Contributing factors for developing varicose veins include:
- Heredity: Varicose veins are likely to run in families. In nearly 70% of all patients seen for varicose vein treatment, weakened vein walls and defective valves are the culprit.
- Gender: Women have a much greater likelihood of developing varicose veins. Contributing factors for women include: weight gain, hormonal fluctuations and pregnancy.
- Occupation: Careers that involve prolonged standing or sitting may increase blood pressure on the closed valves in the leg veins, causing them to weaken and bulge – creating varicose veins.
- Obesity: Varicose veins can develop from increased pressure on the legs due to excess weight which causes the valves in leg veins to weaken.
- Age: The frequency and severity of varicose veins increases with age.
- Trauma: When individuals experience leg injuries the structure of the leg veins may weaken causing varicose vein development.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
In addition to being visually unappealing, varicose veins may cause individuals to experience one or more of the following symptoms:
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Less common symptoms of varicose veins:
- Restless legs at night
- Skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation) at the ankle
- Unusual ankle swelling
- Bleeding from a superficial vein after minor trauma
Complications of Varicose Veins
If varicose veins are left untreated, vein disease can progress and cause more serious complications including:
- Severe inflammation (phlebitis)
- Blood clots (e.g. DVT)
- Ankle sores or skin ulcers
Varicose Vein Treatment
If you are experiencing varicose vein symptoms, medical treatment may be necessary. When varicose vein treatments are performed for medical correction, the fee or a portion of the fee is usually covered by medical health insurance.
At the Skin Center Medical Spa, several varicose vein treatments and spider vein treatments are available including:
- Varicose Vein Laser Surgery
- Microphlebectomy Varicose Vein Treatment
- Sclerotherapy Spider Vein Treatment
- Facial Vein Treatment
Schedule a Free Consultation:
- The Skin Center Medical Spa Pittsburgh, PA 1-800-429-1151
- The Skin Center Medical Spa Columbus, OH 614-939-1188
- Not all procedures are available in every location. Please call for more information.
- Schedule online now
- Find a location near you
