Varicose Vein Treatment is performed by Dr. Tanuj Palvia, MD. Varicose veins are a condition characterized by bulging, bluish-purple veins under the skin, usually affecting the legs. Varicose veins are caused by something called venous reflux, which is associated with a condition called venous insufficiency.
The normal function of veins is to push poorly oxygenated blood back toward the heart through a series of one-way valves. Sometimes, these valves don’t function properly, so not all of the blood makes its way back to the heart. Just as in acid reflux, where the stomach acids back-flow and leak into the esophagus due to relaxation of the esophageal muscles; with venous reflux, the valves are not strong enough to push all of the blood back up to the heart. This causes the blood to collect or pool in the vessel This increased venous pressure causes the vein to engorge; becoming swollen, painful, and unsightly.
Venous insufficiency is the underlying condition that causes venous reflux, leading to varicose veins. This condition is characterized by an increase in venous blood pressure in the legs due to damage, trauma, or failure of the valves in the vessel wall. If left untreated, chronic venous insufficiency can lead to symptoms and conditions other than varicose veins, such as pain, leg swelling, a feeling of heaviness or tiredness in the legs, cramping in the legs, a feeling of restless legs, changes in skin color or elasticity, and even ulcers on the legs that can be difficult to treat and heal.
Venous insufficiency can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, activity level or medical history. There are however, some predisposing factors that do increase your risk of developing the condition. You are more likely to develop venous insufficiency if you:
Venous insufficiency is diagnosed officially by a test called Venous Duplex Ultrasound. This test is a non-invasive ultrasound study, and assesses the internal structure of the veins and the velocity of the blood-flow within the vein. This test records the direction and speed of the blood-flow within the vein.
The condition and its associated symptoms may be treated with:
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