Varicose Veins FAQ

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins that are typically dark blue and near the surface of one’s skin. Healthy veins feature one-way valves that help direct blood flow. However, if one or more of the valves does not function correctly, blood may flow down one’s leg in the wrong direction. When that happens, blood overfills and distends the branches of superficial veins beneath the skin. This causes them to stretch, bulge, and become more apparent, resulting in varicose veins. Varicose veins do not contribute to overall circulation effectively.

Varicose veins exhibit a multitude of symptoms. Sufferers experience heaviness, pain in their legs and feet, fatigue, and itching. In extreme circumstances, varicose veins cause excessive swelling – especially after standing or sitting for long periods of time – inflammation, various skin changes, and potentially open sores.

Roughly 30% of the population in the U.S. has varicose veins. The condition is more prevalent among women than men, but no one is immune to it. Among the regular causes of varicose veins are heredity, hormonal changes, obesity, pregnancy, and lifestyle habits such as pronged standing or sitting. Varicose veins are typically progressive, so it is important to seek varicose vein treatment from Island Vein Specialists before they worsen.

Varicose veins are easy to notice, especially when a patient stands. Our vein experts on Long Island, NY examine patients by assessing their legs and feet visually while also checking for tender areas, swelling, sores, skin color changes, and other symptoms.

There are several measures you can take to increase your chances of varicose vein prevention. It is impossible to prevent them completely, but you reduce your risk by improving circulation and muscle tone. You can do this by exercising, staying within your ideal weight range, eating a high-fiber diet, changing your sitting and standing position regularly, and avoiding tight hosiery. Furthermore, these same steps will help treat varicose vein pain.

Spider veins are blood vessels that twist and turn much in the same way as varicose veins. Whereas varicose veins are large and raised, spider veins are small and typically flush with the skin. Spider veins can be red, blue, or purple and are easily visible. In addition to affecting the legs, spider veins can also appear on one’s face. Island Vein Specialists can treat spider veins and varicose veins.

Island Veins Specialists offers a wide range of treatment options for painful varicose veins. Each of our options is designed to either reduce or remove varicose veins. Our professional techniques include:

• Ambulatory Phlebectomy – Through small incisions, we can remove varicose veins.
• Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLT) – This treatment uses an activated laser fiber to close affected veins.
• Venefit Procedure – We use radiofrequency energy to provide even heat to contract the collagen in vein walls.
• ASVAL – This innovative approach to treating spider and varicose veins incorporates acupuncture needles that aid with vein removal.
• Sclerotherapy – Our team can inject sclerosant into a patient’s veins to shut them down and stop blood flow, thus eliminating the spiderweb appearance.