VARICOSE VEINS
VARICOSE VEINS and vein disease in general, are not only misunderstood by the public but also understudied by many primary care physicians. That combination has led to many misconceptions about what varicose veins are and what treatments may be available to help alleviate them. Let’ s take a look at the problem and some modern solutions.
THE PROBLEM
Veins send blood back to the heart. The veins in the legs must combat gravity to get blood back to the heart. As we age, this process gets more difficult and some people will develop varicose veins in their legs and feet as a result. Appearing discolored and gnarled, varicose veins can cause pain for some while be just an unsightly annoyance for others.
ONE FIX …
Vein ablation is the primary method for treating varicose veins and is minimally invasive, requiring only an IV into the area being treated. This procedure shuts down abnormal leg veins and reroutes the small amount of blood they carry to other veins in the legs. Vein ablation is an in-and-out procedure that provides results in as little as four-to-six weeks, with a complication rate of less than 0.1 percent. This is a far cry from the stripping procedures that used to be commonplace. Follow-ups are scheduled over the course of a year to ensure the treatment has been effective.
… AND ANOTHER
Another type of vein ablation( endovenous laser vein ablation, or ELVT) involves inserting a catheter into the varicose veins where either laser or radiofrequency energy can be transmitted. Lori from Shelby Township, Michigan, had the radiofrequency procedure performed to improve her health and appearance. Seeing this treatment as a quality of life issue, she underwent three weeks of treatment, with each treatment lasting less than an hour.
She was pleased to find that the level of post-treatment discomfort was significantly less than she had expected. Did her health and appearance improve? Says Lori,“ I can sleep better. I can stay on my feet longer without pain.
VARICOSE VEINS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
… [ and ] the visual bulging of the vein took just a few weeks to go away.”
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
The two largest misconceptions about varicose vein treatments are that treatments will cause a significant amount of pain and downtime, and they will not be covered by insurance. Fortunately, the opposite is true. Advances in treatment technology now allow for less pain and downtime, and normal activities can often be resumed right after the treatment. And since varicose veins are a good indicator of underlying vein disease, the treatment of varicose veins is covered by most insurance carriers.
CONQUER YOUR FEAR
Fear is often the largest barrier preventing people from seeking treatment for their varicose veins. That fear may be due to horror stories they have heard about older, much more painful, treatment techniques or concerns that they will have to pay out-of-pocket for the treatment. A simple consultation with a medical professional is often all it takes to alleviate those fears and move on to a more happy and healthy life.
For more information, or to find out what treatments would be the best for you, please us at 586-992-300 for a free vein screening.
2017 WINTER 7