How Dermatologists Treat Leg Veins
We are all aware of our physical appearance and health. When something goes wrong, we are often the first to notice and first to act. When our heart rate begins to lower or when we see patches on certain areas of our body, it’s important to be aware of and respond to these changes. Issues, prolonged for too long, can turn into problems. In the spirit of proactivity, the Harley Institute has provided this information on varicose veins or “spider” leg veins.
What Are Varicose Veins?
More than a fifth of Americans are affected by varicose veins. Varicose veins are usually identified by their physical description: twisted and bulgy veins, blue in color, usually found in the legs and feet. However, the clogging and bulging can occur in deeper, interior veins as well. Many who have varicose veins complain about their appearance and slight pain, but patients experience many things. Some patients experience swelling, dry skin, cramps, or excessive bleeding.
Causes of Leg Veins
Your veins involve a network of one-way valves. These valves work together to prevent backflow. We have varicose when these valves fail to work properly. As a result, blood begins to backflow and pool in the veins causing the vein to twist and bulge. As mentioned earlier, this phenomenon can happen at the surface or on deeper levels. However, varicose veins are most common on the surface on the legs and feet. One reason for this is that surface veins have less muscle support than deep veins.
The likelihood of varicose veins depends on a variety of factors. You’ve likely seen varicose veins on older people. This is because veins weaken with age; varicose veins increase with age. Lifestyle and genetics also play their roles in the likelihood of varicose. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to varicosity. Lack of aerobic exercise as well as anaerobic exercise weakens the cardiovascular system; poor muscles offer poor blood-pumping. Pregnant women are susceptible to varicose veins for this reason.
How to Treat Varicose Leg Veins?
If you experience physical or emotional pain and discomfort due to varicose veins, then call the Harley Institute for a free vein treatment consultation. Whether your reasoning is due to pain or cosmetics, there are treatment plans for everyone.
Depending on how severe your situation is, you have a variety of options with differing levels of intrusion. Light cases of varicose veins may only call for some compression stockings while more severe ones can require surgery to fix. Sclerotherapy is an injection-based treatment that closes down the bulging veins in a matter of weeks. Like sclerotherapy, laser treatment also closes off some veins but with laser rather than a foam solution. Other out-patient invasive treatments include ambulatory phlebectomies, vein stripping, and endoscopic vein surgery.
If you are interested in learning about treatment options for leg veins, then give Harley Institute a call. We are here to help you get into the shape you deserve to be in. Get healthy and get right by calling Harley Institute.
