Picture this: you’re about to head out with your friends for a night on the town, but you’re feeling self-conscious while wearing that new dress you purchased because your legs don’t look quite the way you want them too. Perhaps there are some discolored webs on the surface of your skin, or a couple of bulging, rope-like veins. You wonder “How did my legs come to look like this?”
Unfortunately, one of the main risk factors of varicose and spider veins is family history. Varicose veins are a hereditary condition that can be inherited from your parents or grandparents. Your chances of developing varicose veins also doubles if both of your parents have them. If your family does have a history of varicose veins, it’s important to look for the signs of them developing in your own legs. Varicose veins are not always visible, but there are other symptoms to look out for. Skin discoloration, heaviness, and discomfort in legs and feet are common symptoms. If you find your legs are painful or get frequent cramps even while resting, having a vascular disorder is more than likely the cause.
Now, you certainly don’t want to feel limited to wearing pants for the rest of your life, but is there anything you can do to get youthful looking legs again? You bet there is! Varicose veins and spider veins may seem like an inevitable problem if your family members have experienced it, but that doesn’t mean they have to haunt you. There are several ways you can help prevent the onset of varicose veins and vein disease through the use of compression socks, regular, low impact exercise, and leg raising therapy. If that isn’t enough, a vein specialist can check your legs for vein disease and offer more effective treatments, like sclerotherapy or endovenous ablation.
Sclerotherapy uses a solution injected right into the affected vein, usually in cases of spider veins, and closes them off, forcing the blood to seek alternate routes. Endovenous ablation also closes off larger veins, but through heat rather than a solution. This treatment involves inserting a catheter into the leg through a small incision and guiding it to the affected varicose vein using ultrasound guidance. Either lasers or radio waves are used to heat the vein, causing it to close. Patients who use radio ablation are less likely to experience pain during the procedure and less complications, such as discoloration of legs, after treatment.
So, if you suffer from varicose veins, fear not! There are treatments available that are in almost all cases at least partially covered by insurance. Contact Premier Vein to schedule a free consultation with one of our vein specialists and get yourself back in that beautiful dress!
ABOUT PREMIER VEIN & VASCULAR CENTER: Premier Vein & Vascular Center, a leading vein clinic in Houston and among the top specialized vein treatment clinics in the USA, has provided expert vein care for over 20 years. The center offers minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins, spider veins, and deep vein thrombosis, led by Dr. Syed Raza, MD, a Board-Certified Vein Specialist and Interventional Radiologist. Dedicated to pain-free, healthier living, the clinic delivers cutting-edge, patient-centered care for optimal results. BLOG DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert for personalized guidance.