Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen superficial veins that affect the look and texture of your skin. At Advanced Vascular Surgery ithroughout Michigan, the team offers a range of treatments for varicose veins to get rid of the visible veins and the symptoms they cause. To find out more about your varicose vein treatment options, call the office or schedule a consultation online today. 

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are the swollen blue or purple veins that bulge out from under the surface of your skin. You can develop varicose veins anywhere on the body, but they most often affect the legs.

Your veins are lined with valves that open and close, helping push blood back to your heart and lungs. If you have weak or damaged valves, they may not fully open or close, allowing blood to flow backward and pool.

The pooling blood causes the veins to enlarge and become visible.

When should I have my varicose veins evaluated?

In most cases, varicose veins aren’t a serious health concern. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. The team at Advanced Vascular Surgery recommends you have your varicose veins evaluated when they first appear.

Varicose veins are a sign of a circulation problem, and an early evaluation may prevent your condition from worsening. The team also recommends scheduling an evaluation if your varicose veins cause your legs to ache or tire easily.

During your visit, your vascular specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history and examines your varicose veins. They may also do a vascular ultrasound to evaluate the blood vessels and look for other venous and vascular problems like peripheral artery disease (PAD) or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

What are the treatments for varicose veins?

Treatment for varicose veins varies. Initially, the team may recommend lifestyle changes to ease symptoms, such as not sitting or standing for long periods of time and elevating your legs at the end of the day. 

Though lifestyle changes may prevent your varicose veins from worsening, they won’t help them go away. To get rid of your varicose veins, the team at Advanced Vascular Surgery may recommend:

Sclerotherapy

The team recommends sclerotherapy for medium to large varicose veins that appear on the legs or feet, as well as spider veins. Sclerotherapy is an injection that irritates the vein's walls, causing it to collapse and close. 

Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT)

EVLT is a minimally invasive treatment that uses laser energy to close off the damaged vein. 

Microphlebectomy

Microphlebectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes large varicose veins through tiny incisions. The team at Advanced Vascular Surgery performs this procedure at the office.

To get help for your varicose veins from vascular experts, call Advanced Vascular Surgery or schedule an appointment online today.