Did you know that varicose veins are often more than just a cosmetic concern? Normally, varicose veins pose no major threat to your health, but if serious or left untreated, they can lead to unwanted health issues; in many cases, they can actually be a sign of a serious health concern. Fortuantely, an experienced San Diego dermatologist can provide a number of solutions.
Varicose veins can increase your risk of developing blood clots and ulcers – or even worse. If you’re one of the millions who endure these swollen veins, you may have them on your chest, arms, hands, and (most commonly) legs. At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, our board-certified dermatologists are among the nation’s leading authorities on the reduction or outright elimination of unwanted veins before they become a health hazard.
How Varicose Veins Develop and the Potential Hazards
Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels that form due to the weakening of the valves found within your veins. The valves open in one direction only, allowing your blood to course through your body toward your heart. When weakened, however, the valves don’t open or close normally. The result is a backward flow of blood and pooling of the blood in your veins, causing painful swelling, also known as “edema.”
Near the surface of your skin, the back-up of blood and the resulting edema cause unnatural twists and turns in your veins, giving your skin that unsightly look. Although aesthetically unpleasing, that’s not what should concern you. It’s the other, deeper, unseen effects of varicose veins that can be worrisome.
Let’s take a look at two ways that these diseased veins are affecting more than just your appearance.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Although you might focus on the unsightliness of varicose veins, they can signal a more serious problem called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition caused by the weakening of the valves in your veins. This weakening allows blood to flow backward under high pressure causing smaller veins near the surface of the skin to enlarge and lose fluid into the surrounding tissue causing edema. Red blood cells within the enlarged veins can escape into the surrounding skin causing light brown pigmentation. With time, the lack of oxygen, edema, and inflammation causes a breakdown in the skin and an ulcer forms.
Symptoms include throbbing, pain, cramping, itching, or leg heaviness, which is often exacerbated when you’re static for too long (i.e., sitting or standing in one place without periodically moving). This disease can disrupt your life by preventing you from being as active as you’d like.
Phlebitis
Another serious problem that can arise due to varicose veins is clotting. When blood pools in the veins, it often results in superficial blood clots. This is phlebitis, and it can be painful (though not life threatening). However, if left untreated, these blood clots can move into one of your body’s deeper veins, known as deep vein thrombosis, which can be dangerous. If one of these blood clots breaks free, it starts a journey through your body via your bloodstream until it reaches your lungs. This is bad news, as now you’re under threat of a pulmonary embolism, a dangerous and potentially fatal blockage of blood flow in the lungs and/or heart.
Varicose Vein Treatment
Varicose vein treatment is strongly suggested so that any blood clots or ulcers you have can be addressed and get you out of harm’s way.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a common treatment for small, superficial varicose veins in which a sclerosing agent is injected into the targeted blood vessel, hardening it to the point of collapse. Gradually and naturally, your body will eliminate the remains of the destroyed vessel.
Although up to 80% of your varicose veins can be treated with a single session, multiple sessions could be necessary if your condition is more serious or if there are other factors, such as your general overall health or the number of veins that need to be treated.
Usually, sclerotherapy causes very little downtime or very few side effects, which are typically mild and temporary. Bruising, itching, and redness at the treated site are common but usually recede within a week.
Check out our Photo Gallery to see the amazing results we’ve provided our patients with sclerotherapy.
Phlebectomy
A minimally invasive treatment, a phlebectomy is particularly effective for large varicose veins that sclerotherapy cannot effectively treat. It is a varicose vein removal procedure in which the problematic veins are removed through tiny incisions. Incision sites are so small that they do not need to be stitched and heal without leaving a permanent scar. Learn more about the phlebectomy procedure at WebMD.com.
CTEV Laser Vein Treatments
The CoolTouch CTEV is a minimally invasive laser that Dr. Mitchel Goldman helped develop that can safely and effectively eliminate unsightly varicose leg veins. The laser treatment essentially targets the water within the walls of the blood vessels and destroys the vein, allowing the body to naturally absorb and eliminate the unwanted veins.
Compared to other vein removal procedures, CTEV laser treatment offers a shorter recovery time and less risk of irritation. This procedure replaces the old -fashioned ligation and stripping procedure. It is performed entirely under local anesthesia and patients are walking immediately after the procedure. It is often combined with phlebectomy.As acclaimed experts in laser dermatology, our patients can be assured they are in the best hands possible for laser vein treatment in San Diego.
Get Your Killer Legs Back! Contact the San Diego Vein Specialists Today
Don’t endure varicose veins. If they have developed in your legs (or elsewhere), contact the vein experts at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology before they lead to something serious. Contact us today to speak with a varicose vein specialist in San Diego!
Next, read What are the Differences Between Sclerotherapy and Phlebectomy?
The post 2 Ways Varicose Veins are Affecting More Than Just Your Appearance appeared first on Sclerotherapy San Diego.
No comments:
Post a Comment