Things to know about varicose veins
These are questions our vein specialists are regularly asked at our vein centers
If you're considering sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, or other treatment method to address your spider veins or varicose veins, you're bound to have a ton of questions.
- How do I know if varicose vein treatment is right for me?
Veins that cause leg pain, swelling, recurrent superficial blood clots, bleeding, or ulcerations are prime candidates for endovenous ablation. Veins that cause other symptoms such as achiness, heaviness, and fatigue of legs, or veins that are cosmetically unappealing, may also benefit from treatment.
Having an ultrasound is the only sure way to determine whether venous issues are causing your varicose veins, or other symptoms you might be experiencing. When you schedule a consultation at Alaska Vein Care, our vein care specialists will perform an ultrasound examination to determine whether venous reflux is present, and discuss all of your treatment options with you.
- Can I fly after vein treatment?
There are many factors that contribute to whether a patient should fly on an airplane following vein treatment. Some procedures require very little restriction, but most in-depth treatments should be followed by a 3-week period of no flights over 3 hours. For those of us who work away from home, the doctor will make recommendations for shorter flights based on personal risk factors. Those who may travel in the near future are encouraged to speak with our office about your plans prior to getting treatment. We can give you all the information and help you make the best decision.
- Can ablation help with recurring vein problems if I have had my veins stripped in the past?
The short answer is, yes, in some cases. The long answer is, in some cases, veins can regenerate after vein stripping and when they do, they are rarely well-functioning veins. If you are continuing to experience symptoms after a vein stripping operation in the past, it is important to determine the cause through an ultrasound examination. A vein specialist, such as those at Alaska Vein Care, is the best person to help determine if ablation treatment would be beneficial to you.
- If ablation is used to close a vein, how does the blood from that vein get back to the heart?
Your legs have two major types of veins: the deep system and the superficial system. Deep veins run vertically within our muscles, so every time leg muscles contract, they are driving blood back up to the heart. Superficial veins collect blood from our tissues and send it to the deep veins. Thousands of superficial veins create this network.
If one of these superficial veins has damaged valves that require treatment, other superficial veins have already taken over its job, and the damaged vein is actually making other superficial veins and deep veins work harder by allowing blood to flow backwards. According to an American College of Phlebology study, closing off a varicose vein actually helps your blood return more effectively back to your heart, so it's a win-win. Call Alaska Vein Care for a free vein screening.
- Is the ablation procedure painful?
During your endovenous ablation procedure, a local anesthetic will be used to prevent pain. Your Alaska Vein Care specialist may pause at any time to administer more anesthesia if you need it. After surgery, most patients do well with ibuprofen for pain control. Occasionally, a stronger medication might be prescribed to relieve pain in the first day or two after surgery. Wearing graduated compression stockings for the first two weeks post-op also helps to provide support to your healing leg and relieves pain. You can expect to have some bruised and tender areas after treatment, especially if you require an ambulatory phlebectomy.
- Can varicose veins and spider veins be prevented?
The major cause of varicose veins and spider veins for most patients is heredity. Exercising, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding high heels and tight hosiery certainly don't hurt, but they have not been shown to prevent the progression of venous disease. For guidance on reduce the symptoms of varicose veins and spider veins such as aching, swelling, heavy or restless legs, call Alaska Vein Care today.
- How long does the procedure take?
The average time for most endovenous ablation sessions is about an hour and a half. Your Alaska Vein Care specialist will first do a brief repeat ultrasound to determine access points, and will mark any veins for phlebectomy or sclerotherapy at the time prior to beginning your treatment. If you do require extensive phlebectomy, the procedure appointment could take 2 hours or more to complete.
- Do I need someone to drive me to Alaska Vein Care?
If you elect not to take any anti-anxiety medication before your procedure, you are perfectly welcome to drive yourself to and from your appointment. If you do prefer to have a sedative or muscle relaxer administered before the procedure, then you will need to designate a driver to bring you to our office, and take you home afterwards.
- What can I expect during recovery?
The awesome thing about endovenous ablation is that you can expect to return to normal activity quickly. Walking is encouraged, even on the day of treatment. A little discomfort is normal and for most patients, can be relieved with over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or Tylenol. A handful of patients will require a stronger pain medication to get through the first few days. In any case, you will be required to wear compression stockings for at least two weeks after your procedure to aid in healing. You may experience some bruising, soreness, and tenderness at treatment sites, or a tightening or pulling sensation in the treated leg about two weeks into your healing process. This is happening because your treated veins are shrinking, and being reabsorbed into your body.
You will receive verbal and written after-care instructions during your consultation and treatment visits with Alaska Vein Care. You will also be provided with your phlebologist's cell number and e-mail so you may contact them quickly should any questions arise during your recovery period.
- Should I wait until I am finished having children to seek treatment?
Many women who have underlying hereditary tendencies towards developing varicose veins, spider veins, or other venous diseases tend to have their symptoms hit full-on during pregnancy. According to an American College of Phlebology study, pregnancy brings on many changes that are detrimental to vein health including:
- increased blood volume to nourish the fetus and placenta
- increased pressure in the abdomen and lower pelvis as the baby grows
- increased amounts of estrogen and progesterone in the blood, which can damage vein walls
- increased amounts of a hormone called relaxin, which can also effect the health of vein walls
- decreased physical activity
Years ago, your moms had few options for vein treatment if they were contemplating a pregnancy in the near future. As less invasive treatments for vein disease have evolved, it has become more and more feasible for a mother-to-be to undergo vein treatment before becoming pregnant for the first time, or in between pregnancies.
There is a downside, however, if you are already experiencing symptoms such as:
- leg pain
- swelling
- recurrent superficial blood clots
- bleeding
- ulcerations
- achiness
- heavy legs
- bulging varicose veins
The most prevalent cause of varicose veins almost always comes down to heredity, and even successful treatment does not eliminate the genetic predisposition that may cause other veins to fail after your family is complete.
Still, choosing to treat vein problems between pregnancies may eliminate the main source of venous reflux and make your next pregnancy more comfortable for you! Call Alaska Vein Care for more information.
- Is the ablation procedure dangerous?
Generally speaking, complications related to varicose vein treatment are rare. Minor complications may include:
- temporary discomfort
- bruising
- swelling
- temporary discoloration
- blushing of the skin following treatment
Major complications may include:
- allergies to local anesthesia or other medication used
- superficial blood clots
- infection
- skin burns, which can occur with any form of radiofrequency/light source treatment or sclerotherapy
Although these risks are low in probability, no procedure is risk free. To be better informed about the specific expectations of ablation vein therapy or any varicose vein treatment, it is important to discuss your concerns with your Alaska Vein Care specialist.
- Will treating my varicose veins get rid of my restless legs symptoms?
Symptoms of varicose veins and other venous disease such as achiness, heaviness of the legs, and swelling may cause legs to involuntarily move while at rest. This is your body's attempt to make your muscles contract, and send blood back to the heart. If this phenomena is the cause of your restless legs, treating the varicose veins will relieve those symptoms.
There are also neurological causes of restless legs syndrome, which unfortunately will not be relieved by treating varicose veins. To determine the root cause of your restless legs symptoms, schedule a consultation at Alaska Vein Care in Anchorage, AK, right away.
- Are my ankle ulcers related to veins?
Venous leg ulcers occur when reflux causes the vein walls to stretch and weaken, resulting in pooling of the blood for a long period in one place. This eventually can cause tissue damage in the form of a skin ulcer. Venous ulcers are usually chronic and difficult to heal. They often appear on the inside of the leg (medial) above the ankle. They are shallow, can be painful, and may be accompanied by brownish discoloration of the skin due to the leakage of the iron-containing pigment in red blood cells (hemosiderin) into the tissue.
The wound itself is often irregular and there may be weeping discharge as the tissue fluid seeps from the wound. Approximately 10-20% of ulcers are arterial ulcers rather than venous. Your Alaska Vein Care specialist can determine the cause of your ulcers and recommend appropriate treatment for you based on the type of ulcer that you have.
- Will insurance pay for my procedure?
Insurance will pay for treatments that are determined to be medically necessary. Treatment for varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency are usually covered by insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare. Treatment for spider veins and small varicose veins that do not require ablation treatment are considered more cosmetic in nature and will not be covered by insurance. Some insurance companies may require you to try conservative therapy options prior to seeking treatment.
Alaska Vein Care offers flexible payment options for treatments not covered by insurance. One of our billing specialists will be happy to discuss your options and help you to create a treatment plan and a payment that works for you! Call today in Anchorage, AK, for a consultation.
- What kind of compression stockings relieve the symptoms of varicose veins?
For varicose veins, you will need graduated compression stockings. These are not the same as support hose that you can find in a regular department store. These stockings apply more pressure to your legs than regular support hose can. According to the American College of Phlebology, they are “medically developed socks or stockings that provide a gradient of pressure against your leg. The highest pressure is at the ankle and the pressure gradually decreases higher on your leg.”
Compression stockings come in a variety of strengths measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), which is based on the pressure applied to the ankle. The most commonly recommended strengths are 20-30 mmHg and 30-40 mmHg. The higher pressure at the bottom of your leg with graduated pressure going up the leg makes it easier for your body to pump blood up the leg and back to the heart.
Besides helping to pump blood more effectively up the leg, compression stockings also increase the pressure in the tissues under the skin, which reduces leaking of fluid into these tissues from the veins and encourages reabsorption of fluid back into the veins. In doing so, compression stockings help to prevent and reduce swelling in the legs.
Other reported benefits of graduated compression stockings include:
- Improvement of oxygen delivery to the tissues
- Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in the deep veins
- A decrease in the size of the veins, leading to diminished discomfort of the legs
Anchorage | (907) 334-3347
Juneau | (907) 523-2737
Kenai | (907) 334-3347
Wasilla | (907) 357-2005
Fairbanks | (907) 334-3347
Icons Made By freepik.com
Icon by Becris on freeicons.io