Varicose Veins: Cosmetic or Sign of Danger Below?

Varicose veins are misshapen, bulging veins most likely to be found in the legs and feet. This is because of the greater pressure on the blood vessels in these extremities when upright via walking and standing. Because varicose veins are a result of blood backing up due to vein insufficiency, it may be traced to valves in the veins being weakened and damaged. Instead of blood returning to the heart it may be gradually pooling in leg veins and creating prominent varicose veins.

Varicose veins are a byproduct of vein insufficiency, as is also the case with spider veins, so they may serve as a surface indicator to diagnose underlying venous disease. Valves keep blood returning to the heart in the veins from reversing direction. However, valves may leak or blood clots may stem the flow back to the heart.

The encouraging news is that our board-certified physicians at the Salerno Medical Group monitor and treat varicose veins and vein insufficiency, using laser catheters in what is a 10-minute office procedure.  We treat and cure vein insufficiency. Over the course of our first four years we treated well over 3,000 veins as of the end of 2018. These services are offered on weekends, evenings and weekdays. Varicose veins and spider veins — a variation of varicose veins, also close to the surface and comprised of smaller, spidery blood vessels— are not necessarily health threatening themselves. Varicose veins are the more unsightly of the two, but they might go beyond being just a cosmetic concern. That’s because varicose veins may be the source of nagging pain and discomfort. Sometimes they indicate more-serious problems or signs that something more ominous lurks in your vascular system, known commonly as the circulatory system. It nourishes the tissues of the body via arteries and veins and also transports wastes away.

 What treatments does the Salerno Medical Group offer for varicose veins?

• Laser ablation or endovenous ablation is a safe alternative to surgery or stripping of varicose veins. This treatment utilizes radiofrequency or laser energy to actually close the veins via cauterization. This is an office procedure is regarded as minimally invasive and the injection is virtually painless.
• Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is a safe, effective treatment for varicose veins with the potential of erasing the vein. It involves an injection of a solution (generally a salt solution) directly into the vein. This abrades the lining of the blood vessel, which, in the best-case scenario, causes it to collapse and adhering together with the resultant blood harmlessly clotting.
• Our state-of-the-art Cutera xeo Laser effectively removes spider veins and reticular veins just beneath the skin’s surface and is also used to diminish the more conspicuous varicose veins. It tightens and rejuvenates skin.

Symptoms…

Pain is not necessarily a symptom of varicose veins, but at times it is. The following signs are among the possible symptoms:

• Veins are dark purple or blue in color
• Veins are cord-like, twisted and bulging
• Your legs ache and feel heavy
• Lower legs are swollen and there may be muscle cramps, burning, throbbing  and swelling
• Pain worsens after sitting or standing for extended periods
• Persistent itching around your veins
• Bleeding from affected veins
• A painful section of a vein with red discolored skin

Note: The following are more likely signs that you may have a serious form of vascular disease requiring medical attention: changing colors, hardening of the vein, skin inflammation or ulcers near your ankle.

Call us at (973) 672-8573 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.