can veins come back after treatment?

Laser treatments for varicose veins and spider veins 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). Ongoing treatment can help keep this problem under control.

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.
 

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are there any risks with endovenous laser vein removal?

As with any invasive procedure, there are potential complications. These rare complications include:

• there may be mild numbness around the thigh area

• there may be a pulling sensation which may last a week

• Phlebitis (redness and tenderness of the skin is quite common but is mild in nature and easily treated with over the counter pain medications. Most cases of phlebitis resolve in 3-7 days.

• Deep venous thrombosis. This is a very rare complications following Endovenous Laser Ablation. The best way to prevent this rare complication is to wear compression bandage or compression stocking and to walk right after the procedure.

• Infection at an incision site is a rare occurrence and usually resolves on its own.

• Bruising is a common feature after the procedure. The bruising is mild and resolves in a week.

• Failure of the procedure does occur and may be related to the inability to place the probe in the vein. This does happen rarely. Other causes of failure are the inability of the laser to destroy the vein. The majority of technical failures are related to inexperience of the physician with the procedure.
 

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should I wait until I'm done having children?

Pregnant women sometimes complain of developing varicose veins. This is true.  Pregnancy increases the volume of blood in a woman’s body, however, it decreases the flow of blood from the legs to the pelvis.  This change in circulation is designed to support the growing baby, but it can produce an unfortunate side effects such as enlarged veins in the legs.  Varicose veins may appear for the first time during pregnancy.  It has been observed that the varicose veins may worsen during late pregnancy because the uterus exerts greater pressure on the veins in your legs.
 

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can the laser damage healthy cells like a sunburn?

Laser therapy has been used in the medicine for more than 30 years. Advances in technology have helped developed many different lasers. The laser uses a focused beam of light. In the treatment of veins, the wavelength of light is targeted to the pigment in the blood. The laser heats up the small vein and destroys it. The laser beam is focused and does not damage the nearby skin tissue.
 

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what is venous disease and is it genetic?

Venous disease refers to all conditions related to or caused by veins that become diseased or abnormal. Venous disease is quite common -- about 15 percent of the adult population is affected. Mild venous disease is usually not a problem for patients, but as venous disease worsens, it can become crippling chronic venous insufficiency.

In the normal circulation, arteries carry oxygen rich blood from your heart to the body, and veins return the blood to your heart. Veins have one-way valves along their length to keep the blood flowing to the heart. As muscles contract, the blood is squeezed forward in the veins. When muscles relax, the valves shut to prevent blood from flowing backward.

There are three types of veins in your legs: superficial veins, communicating veins, and deep veins. Superficial veins lie just under the skin and carry about 10 to 15 percent of the blood in your legs. Superficial veins drain into communicating veins, which drain into deep veins. Deep veins lie inside the muscles (remember muscles are responsible for pumping) and carry 85 to 90 percent of the blood back to the heart.

If the vein walls become weak or damaged, or if the valves are stretched or injured, the system stops working normally and the blood begins to flow backward when the muscles relax. This creates unusually high pressure in the veins, resulting in even more stretching, twisting, and swelling of veins. The abnormal veins with their sluggish blood flow create disorders known as venous disease.

Heredity is the number onecontributing factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from these abnormal leg veins. Up to 50% of American women may be affected. Hormaonal factors include pregnancy, menopause, and the use of birth control pills. Other factors that can accelerate and aggravate the appearance of veins, beyond gravity and age, include pregnancy, leg injury, obesity, lack of exercise, weight fluctuation, and long periods of sitting or standing.
 

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what causes varicose and spider veins?

The below factors may play a part in the development of varicose and spider veins:

Age - The development of varicose veins and spider veins may occur at any age but usually occurs between the ages of 18 and 35 years, and peaks between 50 and 60 years.

Gender – Females are affected approximately four to one to males.

Pregnancy – Pregnancy is a common factor contributing to the formation of varicose and spider veins. The most important factor is circulating hormones that weaken vein walls. There is also a significant increase in the blood volume during pregnancy. This tends to distend veins, causing valve dysfunction which leads to blood pooling in the veins. Additionally, later in pregnancy, the enlarged uterus can compress veins, causing higher vein pressure leading to dilated veins. Varicose veins that form during pregnancy may spontaneously improve or even disappear a few months after delivery.

Lifestyle/Occupation - People who are involved with prolonged sitting or standing in their daily activities have an increased risk of developing varicose veins. Thus, the weight of the blood continuously pressing against the closed valves causes them to fail, leading to distention in the veins.
 

Lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of varicose and spider veins are:

• Prolonged standing or sitting

• Binding clothing

• Chronic constipation

• Birth control pills/estrogen replacement therapy

• High-heeled shoes

• Menstrual cycle

• Obesity

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Number of pregnancies

• Westernized population

• Heat
 

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can varicose veins be prevented?

There's no way to completely prevent varicose veins. But improving your circulation and muscle tone can reduce your risk of developing varicose veins or getting additional ones. Traditional, common-sense approaches include:

• Exercise. Get your legs moving. Walking is a great way to encourage blood circulation in your legs. Your doctor can recommend an appropriate activity level for you.

• Watch your weight, and your diet. Shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure off your veins. What you eat makes a difference, too. Follow a low-salt, high-fiber diet to prevent the swelling that may result from water retention and constipation.

• Watch what you wear. Avoid high heels. Low-heeled shoes work calf muscles more, which is better for your veins. Don't wear tight clothes around your waist, legs or groin. Tight panty-leg girdles, for instance, can restrict circulation.

• Elevate your legs. To improve venous circulation, take several short breaks daily to elevate your legs above the level of your heart. For example, lie down with your legs resting on three or four pillows.

• Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Make a point of changing your position frequently to encourage blood flow. Try to move around at least every 30 minutes.

• Don't sit with your legs crossed. This position can aggravate circulation problems.
 

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What are the current treatment options for varicose veins?

Most physicians will say that hospital stay was thing in the past.  Treatment today usually doesn't mean a hospital stay or a time consuming, uncomfortable recovery. Less invasive techniques are available that can be done fairly quickly.

The use of compression stockings may prove effective for your condition.  Learn more about compression stockings...

Prior to getting treatment for your varicose veins, you should ask a physician about the affects of: compression stockings, exercising, losing weight, not wearing tight clothes, elevating your legs, avoiding long periods of standing or sitting.  These are helpful in prevention and slowing the progression of the condition.

If you are pregnant and have varicose veins, please note that varicose veins that develop during pregnancy generally improve without treatment within a few months after delivery.  However, it is never a bad idea to ask a specialist.

Below are some procedures that your physician may recommend:

• Sclerotherapy
This form of treatment is a non-surgical procedure in which a solution is injected into the problem varicose veins or spider veins in order to cause its disappearance. More info on Sclerotherapy »

• Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)
EVLT works by heating the inside of the vein, which causes it to seal shut and disappear. This treatment requires that a very thin laser fiber be inserted into the damaged underlying vein. More info on EVLT »

• Radiofrequency Occlusion also known as VNUS 
This method treats the vein by heating them, causing the vein to contract and then close. More info on RadioFrequency Occlusion »

• Laser and Pulsed Light Treatments
This form of vein therapy involves a light beam that is pulsed onto the veins in order to seal them off, causing them to dissolve. Successful light-based treatment requires adequate heating of the veins. Several treatments are usually needed for optimal results. More info on Laser Light Therapy »

• Ambulatory Phlebectomy
This procedure involves making tiny punctures or incisions through which the varicose veins are removed. The incisions are so small no stitches are required. More info on Ambulatory Phlebectomy »

• Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy (TIPP)
The TIPP treatment is a minimally invasive procedure for removing varicose veins that is performed using the TriVex® System. Transillumination is a unique feature - much like a flashlight placed under the skin - that allows a surgeon to see, accurately target and remove varicose veins, then visually confirm the extraction. More info on TIPP »

• Vein Ligation
During this type of vein surgery, incisions are made over the problem vein and the vein is tied off. This is done in order to cut off the flow of blood to the varicose vein, which in turn causes it to become less visible. More info on Vein Ligation »

• Vein Stripping
Vein stripping involves tying off of the upper end of a problem vein and then removing the vein. More info on Vein Stripping »

There are many other varicose vein treatments out there which include laser surgeries, catheter-assisted procedures and endoscopic vein surgeries. Please consult your physician or other medical care provider regarding what type of treatment is best for you.

Please also remember that current treatments for varicose veins and spider veins are highly successful. However, it's possible that varicose veins can recur.
 

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> can veins come back after treatment?

> are there any risks with laser vein removal?

> should I wait until I'm done having children?

> does it damage healthy cells like a sunburn?

> what is venous disease and is it genetic?

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