Varicose Veins Awareness

Veins, otherwise known as blood vessels, are part of the circulatory system and function as carriers of blood in the direction of the heart. Veins are arranged into the following four categories: 1) Deep Veins which are situated deep within the body and are frequently beside a similarly named artery; 2) Pulmonary Veins are big blood vessels that carry blood from the lungs toward the left atrium of the heart; 3) Superficial Veins are near the surface of the skin, not paired with an artery; and 4) Systemic Veins which originate from capillaries and drain into the right atrium bypassing the second set of capillaries and flow to the right side of the heart.

Varicose veins are distended, enlarged and engorged veins generally found in the superficial veins of the legs. Leg muscles push the vein to return blood to the heart. Inside varicose veins, segments of the vein's valves no longer work properly, and the blood flows backwards enlarging the vein.

Causes of varicose veins can be related to injuries of the leg, over crossing the legs, knees or ankles, genetics, obesity, standing for long periods of time, or maturing. Varicose veins are found more often in women than in men.

Varicose veins can be extremely painful. Legs can ache, throb, and become extremely itchy, as well as being unpleasant to look at. Ankles may swell and legs may have a heavy sensation. Most varicose veins are not life-threatening. Conversely, varicose veins can lead to serious physical problems due to deprived blood flow in the affected limb.

Surgical treatments for varicose veins include: vein stripping, radio frequency ablation, endovenous laser treatment, and VNUS Closure Procedure. VNS Closure Procedure is a broad treatment option that is less painful than vein stripping or an endovenous laser procedure. The physician inserts the Closure catheter into the varicose vein and warms the wall of the vein whereby producing collagen in the wall which causes contraction and the vein to close naturally rerouting blood to healthy veins. There is little to no soreness or bruising in this procedure.

Non-surgical treatments for varicose veins include: Sclerotherapy, frequent leg elevation, surgical or compression stockings, and anti-inflammatory medication.

Before deciding a course of treatment, contact a board certified phlebotomist. A phlebotomist is a physician who specializes in the identification, management and treatment of vein disorders.

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