Spider Vein Treatment

Venous insufficiency is the most common disorder of the venous system, and is usually manifested as spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) or varicose veins. A variety of spider vein treatments are used depending on the patient's particular type, pattern of veins, and doctors choice of spider vein treatment. Spider Vein Treatment can include radiofrequency ablation, vein stripping, ambulatory phlebectomy, foam sclerotherapy, lasers, or compression.

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins called hemorrhoids can form in or around the anus. Spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short jagged lines. Spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) can be found on the legs and face. They can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.

The heart pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) Arteries carry blood from the heart towards the body parts. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart. The squeezing of leg muscles pumps blood back to the heart from the lower body. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. If the one-way valves become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and collect there. This problem is called venous insufficiency. Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose. Spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) can also be caused by the backup of blood. Hormone changes, inherited factors, and exposure to the sun can also cause spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment).

About 50 to 55% of American women and 40 to 45% of American men suffer from some form of vein problem. Varicose veins affect 1 out of 2 people age 50 and older.

Many factors increase a person's chances of developing varicose or spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment). The force of gravity, the pressure of body weight, and the task of carrying blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart make legs the primary location for varicose and spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment). Compared with other veins in the body, leg veins have the toughest job of carrying blood back to the heart. They endure the most pressure. This pressure can be stronger than the veins' one-way valves. Not all varicose and spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) can be prevented. But some things can reduce your chances of getting new varicose and spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment). The single most important thing a person can do to slow down the development of new varicose veins is to wear graduated compression support stockings as much as possible during the day.

Besides a physical exam, your doctor can take x-rays or ultrasound pictures of the vein to find the cause and severity of the problem ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment). Talk to your doctor about what treatment options are best for your condition and lifestyle. Not all cases of varicose veins are the same.

Sclerotherapy is a common treatment for both spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) and varicose veins. The doctor injects a solution into the vein that causes the vein walls to swell, stick together, and seal shut. This stops the flow of blood and the vein turns into scar tissue. In a few weeks, the vein should fade. The same vein may need to be treated more than once.

Laser surgery: New technology in laser treatments can effectively treat spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) in the legs. Laser surgery sends very strong bursts of light onto the vein. This can makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. Lasers are very direct and accurate. So the proper laser controlled by a skilled doctor will usually only damage the area being treated. Most skin types and colors can be safely treated with lasers.

Laser surgery is more appealing to some patients because it does not use needles or incisions. Still, when the laser hits the skin, the patient feels a heat sensation that can be quite painful. Cooling helps reduce the pain. Laser treatments last for 5 to 30 minutes. Depending on the severity of the veins, one to three treatments are generally needed to remove spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) in the legs. Patients can return to normal activity right after treatment, just as with sclerotherapy. For spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) larger than 3 mm, laser therapy is not very practical.

Endovenous Techniques (radiofrequency and laser)

These methods for treating the deeper varicose veins of the legs (the saphenous veins) have been a huge breakthrough. They have replaced surgery for the vast majority of patients with severe varicose veins. This technique is not very invasive and can be done in a doctor?s office ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment). The doctor puts a very small tube called a catheter into the vein. Once inside, the catheter sends out radiofrequency or laser energy that shrinks and seals the vein wall.

Surgical Ligation and Stripping - With this treatment, problematic veins are tied shut and completely removed from the leg. ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) Removing the veins does not affect the circulation of blood in the leg. Veins deeper in the leg take care of the larger volumes of blood. Most varicose veins removed by surgery are surface veins and collect blood only from the skin. This surgery requires either local or general anesthesia and must be done in an operating room on an outpatient basis.

Endoscopic vein surgery ? With this surgery, a small video camera is used to see inside the veins. ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) Then varicose veins are removed through small cuts. People who have this surgery must have some kind of anesthesia including epidural, spinal, or general anesthesia. Patients can return to normal activity within a few weeks.

Current treatments for varicose veins and spider veins ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) have very high success rates compared to traditional surgical treatments. Over a period of years, however, more abnormal veins can develop. The major reason for this is that there is no cure for weak vein valves. So with time, pressure gradually builds up in the leg veins. Ultrasound can be used to keep track of how badly the valves are leaking (venous insufficiency). ( Contact us about a spider vein treatment) Ongoing treatment can help keep this problem under control.