The universal cause of varicose vein is inheritance. If one parent has varicose veins there is a 50 % chance of getting varicose veins, if both parents 89%. As we get older varicose veins are more common and more serious. Just being a woman carries a 5 times chance of varicose veins. If you add pregnancy or weight gain, the chance increases. Very important is prolonged standing, such as at work and remember varicose veins are very common – up to 30% of the population will suffer from them but they are easily treated.

The venous system is divided into superficial and deep veins. Superficial veins lie in the fatty tissue and are thin walled and unsupported and therefore become varicose when exposed to higher than normal pressure. Deep veins are veins under muscle supported by muscle and so can handle higher pressure. When abnormal valves allow the superficial veins to be exposed to the higher pressure in deep veins varicose veins and venous insufficiency develop. Blood then moves backwards down the legs, away from the heart. This is called reflux. This leads to an increase in venous pressure which damages the superficial veins – leading to varicosities – and the skin leading to inflammation, brown skin changes and ultimately ulceration—break in the skin. Fortunately, most cases of chronic venous insufficiency are caused by superficial disease which is easily treated.

Exercise, compression hose, elevation and weight reduction.

Since most venous disease involves primarily the superficial veins. These veins can be removed and the cause of reflux eliminated.

Complete history and physical and duplex ultrasound.

Invented by the military, ultrasound uses sound waves that are reflected through your tissues and then analyzed by a computer to delineate anatomy and direction of flow. It is painless and remarkably accurate.

Surgery where the veins are surgically removed and is rarely done now.

Injection of a chemical into the vein to destroy the lining and then allow the vein to be absorbed by the body. It is very good for smaller veins.

We use laser frequency.

Laser is focused light that is amplified by mirrors to target specific tissues whose color is absorbed by the wavelength of the specific laser. Tissues whose color does not absorb the laser are not damaged. Laser can generate temperatures of 1200 degrees in the body.

Varicose veins do not transmit blood because of the defective valves and this causes increased venous pressure that damages normal veins that are overloaded. This is why veins get worse with time. Your legs do not depend upon varicose veins for drainage and studies actually show improvement in the other veins after endovenous treatment.

There are many reasons for varicose vein recurrence after sclerotherapy. If ultrasound was not used then proper diagnosis was not made. Deeper veins contribute to spider veins and if they are not eliminated, the spider veins will not go away.

We have not seen this except in patients with venous aneurysm, which are rare.

It depends upon the findings on Ultrasound and this will be performed at the first visit and a treatment plan outlined for you. Most treatment sessions last less than one hour.

There is no scientific evidence of this.

Most insurances pay for endovenous treatment, but most insurances do not pay for sclerotherapy.

Because of the recent innovations in vein treatment few doctors have committed the time and investment for modern vein treatment. A specific insurance plan may not have contracted with a dedicated varicose vein expert.

Only as a last resort because it does not treat the cause of spider veins and hurts more.

People have been taught that varicose veins do not hurt as I was taught in medical school, but aching and fatigue especially at the and of the day is not normal.

Elevating your legs while you rest can take pressure off of weakened and varicose veins.