All
About Varicose Veins!
WHAT ARE VARICOSE
VEINS?
Varicose Veins are veins that become
abnormally swollen and large, usually due to defective valves
in the vein. Varicose veins are sometimes bluish in color,
protrude from the surface of the skin, and frequently have a
winding or worm-like appearance.
WHAT CAUSES VARICOSE
VEINS?
Increase in the diameter of a vein
results in the malfunction of valves inside of the vein that
are designed to prevent blood from flowing backward in the
vein. An inherited weakness of the vein wall (genetic) and
circulating hormones that relax the smooth muscle of the vein
wall are the most common causes. Females have high levels of
such a hormone, the hormone progesterone.
CAN I BE CURED OF MY
VARICOSE VEINS?
Varicose veins are a problem that can
be successfully treated but the disorder cannot be permanently
cured. The treatment of the abnormal veins does not remove the
original tendency of a patient to develop varicose veins.
Therefore, many patients may need to return for maintenance
treatments after their initial treatment is completed.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
TO MY CIRCULATION AFTER ALL THE ABNORMAL VEINS ARE REMOVED OR
DESTROYED?
The backward flow of blood in varicose
veins and main superficial trunks, the great saphenous vein (GSV)
and lesser saphenous (LSV) vein actually interfere with the
normal venous return of blood. Removal of these areas of
abnormal circulation actually improves circulation of blood in
the treated limb. It is this improvement in limb circulation
that causes improvement of symptoms of tiredness and heaviness
in the limb.
DO I HAVE TO TREAT BOTH
LEGS?
The abnormal limb or limbs should be
treated thoroughly for best results. They may be treated at
the same time or after one another.
WHAT IS A SKIN ULCER?
A skin ulcer is caused by a venous
reflux disorder that is called a venous stasis ulcer. Early
signs that a venous stasis ulcer may develop include a
darkening of the skin in the area of the ankle. Gradually, the
skin may become leathery or waxy in appearance. Without
treatment of the venous disease, the skin may breakdown and
bleeding may occur.
WHAT IS
PHLEBOLOGY?
Phlebology is the branch of medicine
that deals with veins and disease of veins.
WHAT IS A
PHLEBOLOGIST?
A Phlebologist is a physician who
specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of vein disorders.
IS DR. HUBACH A
PHLEBOLOGIST?
Yes. Dr. Hubach is a member of the American College
of Phlebology, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of
vein disorders.
Treatment
Methods
WHAT ARE MY TREATMENT
OPTIONS?
Vein treatment programs are designed to
treat visible varicose veins and to treat abnormal veins that
may not be visible but that may be the source of the visible
varicosities. If varicose veins are the only abnormality
detected by the treating physician, the treatment involves
surgical removal of the visible varicose veins (micro-incision
phlebectomy) or the injection of chemicals (sclerosants) into
the vein (sclerotherapy).
WHAT ARE LASER AND
RADIOFREQUENCY SEALING OF VEINS?
Light energy (laser) or electrical
energy (radiofrequency) may be used to seal shut abnormal main
superficial trunk veins. Both treatments involve the
application of heat energy to inside of the long or short
saphenous veins. Usually treatment of the Greater Saphenous
Vein ("GSV") starts at a location in the vein at or
below the knee. The GSV is then treated from its junction to
the deep system at the level of the groin down to the entry
site near the knee. Ultrasound guided injections may also be
used to seal the GSV or LSV.
WHAT IS A
DUPLEX ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION?
The venous duplex examination permits
your phlebologist to see the anatomy and check the flow
characteristics of the veins beneath your skin. Useful
information is gathered that your physician can use to
adequately diagnose your specific vein problem and to plan and
guide treatment.
WHAT IS
SCLEROTHERAPY?
Sclerotherapy is the treatment of
varicose veins by injection of the veins with chemicals that
cause destruction of the veins. Many patients who select this
treatment option for cosmetic reasons notice improvement in
the way that their legs feel after treatment.
WHAT
OPTIONS EXIST OTHER THAN VEIN STRIPPING FOR ABNORMAL FLOW IN THE
MAJOR VEIN TRUNKS?
In order to control the backward flow
of blood in these large veins, the vein that is the source of
the visible varicosities must be sealed shut or removed. The
vein may be sealed shut using energy sources such as a laser,
or radiofrequency energy electrical energy, or by ultrasound
guided sclerotherapy injections.
WHAT
IS ULTRASOUND GUIDED SCLEROTHERAPY?
Visual sclerotherapy refers to
injection of surface veins that are visible to the naked eye.
Some veins that need to be treated are below the surface of
the skin and cannot be injected safely without the aid of
ultrasound imaging assistance.
IS SCLEROTHERAPY
SAFE?
Most patients do not experience any
complications from sclerotherapy. However, some patients
develop changes in skin pigment in locations where the veins
are injected. Some patients may experience chemical burns of
the skin while a rare patient may develop an allergy to the
medication. Serious complications such as deep vein blood
clots and unintentional arterial injection occur rarely.
WHY INJECTING OR
REMOVING THE BRANCES ISN'T AN OPTION WHEN THE MAIN SUPERFICIAL
TRUNK IS ABNORMAL?
For the treatment of the visible veins
to last a long time, the source that may not be visible to the
naked eye must be controlled as well. From a practical
standpoint some insurance carriers will not pay for treatment
of branch varicosities if an abnormal main trunk is not
treated at the same time or before the branches are treated.
ARE GRADIENT COMPRESSION
STOCKINGS RECOMMENDED?
The properly fitted gradient
compression stocking can temporarily reverse the effects of
vein disease and lessen the discomfort as well as skin damage.
Many insurance companies require a trial of stocking use
before approving definitive therapy.