The complications of untreated varicose veins and venous insufficiency may include:
What are Varicose Veins?
Approximately 40 million Americans suffer from varicose vein disease. Veins are responsible for returning blood to the heart. The superficial venous system includes the veins closer to the skin surface that lie above the level of the muscles, whereas the deep venous system includes the veins that lie within the muscles. Varicose veins are more common in the legs and lower part of the body because they must function against the forces of gravity. The deep veins are well protected by the muscles and they are the primary veins responsible for returning blood back to the heart. The superficial veins are poorly protected and are prone to dilation of the vein walls and valve failure. Simply put, varicose veins are abnormal veins of the superficial venous system that are not functioning properly to return blood to the heart. The failure is typically a result of broken one-way valves, weakened vein walls or a combination of both. Whenever the heart is above the level of the legs, varicose veins will have a backwards flow that siphons or steals blood from the deep veins. When the good veins are unable to compensate for the varicose veins, venous insufficiency results and can cause the various symptoms or complications noted above. With treatment of the varicose veins, the normal veins are no longer hindered, venous circulation is improved, and the symptoms of venous insufficiency can be relieved.
Genetics:
Studies have shown that the tendency to develop varicose veins runs in families. Thus, genetic factors are felt to be the primary cause for most cases of varicose veins. The underlying inherited factors are the predisposition of one-way valves to fail, for vein walls to be weakened, or a combination of both. The presence of varicose veins in siblings, parents or grandparents indicates that you are at greater risk.
Gender:
The prevalence of varicose veins is higher in women than men. One reason for the disparity is the hormonal influence of estrogen and progesterone. Fewer males have varicose vein disease; however males are at higher risk of skin changes related to venous insufficiency.
Pregnancy:
Many women will first notice varicose and spider veins during pregnancy. Often, the varicose veins are noticed in the groin area. Increased circulating blood volume, hormonal influence, and mechanical compression of the abdomen are felt to be the contributing factors to cause the development or worsening of varicose veins during pregnancy. Most varicose veins will be less noticeable after delivery, but will become noticeable again with time due to irreparable damage to the veins.
Age:
With increasing age, our bodies lose elasticity in the vein walls, resulting in weakened vein walls, vein dilatation and damage to the venous valves. The prevalence of varicose increases with age in both men and women.
Occupations or Activities that Involve Prolonged Sitting or Standing:
Gravity plays an important role in the development of varicose veins. Occupations, activities, and lifestyles that involve sitting or standing for long periods of time can cause an increase in blood pressure and volume in the veins and contribute to the development or worsening of varicose veins.
Some common occupations of patients that develop varicose veins include:
Obesity:
Significantly increased weight, particularly in the abdomen, impedes the venous circulation in the legs. The body must work harder to return blood to the heart, resulting in an increase in blood pressure and volume in the veins.
Congenital and Trauma:
Less common causes of varicose veins include congenital causes that are seen at birth such as Klippel-Trénaunay Syndrome and those that are a result of physical trauma.
Complete Diagnosis is Essential
At Tennessee Vein Center, we perform comprehensive or screening duplex venous ultrasound as indicated by your history and exam before initiating any varicose vein treatment of the legs. Duplex venous ultrasound can identify if underlying veins are not functioning normally. With venous mapping, the extent of the vein disease can be identified so we can provide comprehensive treatment. A treatment plan is tailored for each patient. Depending on the locations and size of the problem veins, many patients require endovenous laser treatment of underlying abnormal veins followed by a series of ultrasound-guided or visual sclerotherapy to eradicate their varicose veins.
Spider veins alone will rarely cause symptoms other than localized itching and burning. Sometimes, spider veins of the legs can be associated with underlying varicose veins that are not visible at the surface. Leg symptoms and signs commonly associated with visible or non-visible varicose veins include:
ENDOVENOUS LASER TREATMENT (ELT) replaces vein stripping surgery with a minimally-invasive approach of using laser-generated energy through an optic fiber to eliminate the underlying abnormal vein.
SCLEROTHERAPY is a versatile method of treating varicose veins and spider veins in which a medication, called a sclerosant, is injected into the damaged vein through a small needle. For larger veins (varicose veins), sclerotherapy is performed under ultrasound guidance.
VEINWAVE is a revolutionary thermal technique used by physicians around the world to eliminate spider veins and fine thread veins, known as telangiectasias. It is the treatment of choice for spider veins that are too small to treat with injection sclerotherapy and it is particularly effective for the treatment of facial telangiectasias.
Tennessee Vein Center is located in the Springbrook Corporate Center off North Hall Road in Alcoa. We are in front of the Jameson Inn in the Tennessee Urology Associates building. We are conveniently located less than two miles from the McGhee Tyson Airport and slightly over two miles from Blount Memorial Hospital.
Tennessee Vein Center
203 Corporate Place
Alcoa, TN 37701
865-233-5858
