Spider Veins and Varicose Veins Simplified

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A brief review on spider veins and varicose veins. Topics reviewed include diagnosis and treatment using minimally invasive techniques

Spider veins on legs represent the most common reason to seek attention from a vein clinic. Spider veins are also often noted along with reticular veins and varicose veins. In some instances, there can also be bothersome symptoms of leg heaviness, restless legs and leg pain. Spider veins, varicose veins and venous insufficiency represent a continuum of vein disease. For medical reasons, symptoms should motivate individuals to seek a vein consultation.
 
What is A Vein Consultation
A vein doctor is a physician with a background in the diagnosis and treatment of ailments related to the venous anatomy. Most vein issues are in the legs and this is related to the physiology of blood flow return against gravity. Unlike arteries, veins have much less musculature and face a great deal of adversity to return blood from the bottom of your legs to the heart against gravity.
 
When these mechanisms become overloaded, the pressure builds inside the veins and legs causing symptoms of venous insufficiency. Signs of vein disease include spider and varicose veins which is the pressure being released into new unhealthy veins.
 
During your vein consultation, a vein specialist will elicit you history and perform a careful examination. They will be keen on symptoms, prior history of clotting , family history and examining for any signs of chronic venous insufficiency.
 
What is Chronic Venous insufficiency
This is the most important concern with spider and varicose veins. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in the legs become overwhelmed and dilate. As the pressure continues to build in the legs, symptoms are common including leg heaviness, restless legs, leg pain, and leg swelling.
 
More advanced symptoms are skin discoloration, leg ulceration and DVT. Your physician may describe a score to your condition called CEAP. This classifies the severity of the underlying condition. The higher scores of 3-6 should prompt treatment including conservative measures and medical treatments
 
What Are Medical Treatments for Vein Disease
Fortunately, vein treatment in NJ has become quite simplified over the past decade. Minimally invasive procedures have replaced surgical procedures for vein disease. Common treatments you may have heard of include RF vein ablation, laser vein ablation, venaseal and sclerotherapy.  
 
Due to advances in technology and formulated medications, the non-surgical treatments have superior outcomes and quality of life assessments in comparison to surgical procedures. Importantly, previously inaccessible or difficult to treat areas are now easily managed with simple injections leaving little residual disease to return.
 
Who Performs Minimally Invasive Procedures?
Vein specialist should be proficient at modern techniques for spider and varicose vein removal. A few things to consider are your physician’s credentials, board-certifications, training background, treatment modalities, and location.
 
There are several vein centers in the tri-state region and with some pre-eminent vein clinics around Passaic County. Using a collaboration of vein specialists from various vascular backgrounds, there is a comprehensive approach to managing all types of vein disease.
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