Frequently Asked Questions - Vascular Surgery Association

1. Frequently Asked Questions What causes varicose veins? Varicose veins are swollen veins that you can see through your skin. They often look blue, bulging, and twisted. Left untreated, varicose veins may worsen over time. High blood pressure inside your superficial leg veins causes varicose veins. Factors that can increase risk include having a family history of varicose veins, being overweight, not exercising enough, smoking, standing or sitting for long periods of time or having DVT (deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots). Women are more likely than men to develop varicose veins. Pregnant women have an increased risk of developing varicose veins. Can you do vein surgery on diabetics? Yes, many of our patients are diabetic. As with any procedure as a diabetic it is extremely important to continue to monitor and maintain your blood glucose. Also to observe for signs and symptoms of infection. Are spider veins purely cosmetic? Spider veins are mild varicose veins. They look like a nest of red or blue lines just under your skin. Spider veins are not a serious medical problem, but they can be a

2. cosmetic concern to some people, and they can cause symptoms of aching pain and itching in others. What is venous reflux disease, and what is venous insufficiency? Venous insufficiency is a condition resulting from decreased blood flow from the leg veins up to the heart. People who have venous insufficiency can have symptoms even without visible varicose veins. The symptoms are caused by pressure on the nerves by dilated veins. Normally, one-way valves in the veins keep the blood flowing toward the heart against flow the force of gravity. Over time however, these valve can weaken and not close properly which allows blood to flow backward, a condition called venous reflux. An ultrasound is used to asses the venous anatomy, vein valve function and venous blood flow changes which can assist in diagnosing venous insufficiency. What is the main difference between arteries and veins? Arteries bring oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body and veins return oxygen-poor blood back to your heart. How are spider veins ordinarily treated? Once positive findings are discovered on non-invasive ultrasound tests we perform in the office, our providers may initially recommend conservative therapy, which includes leg elevation, daily exercise, weight loss ( when applicable) and compression stockings, which are elastic stockings that squeeze your veins and stop excess blood from flowing backward. Do varicose vein procedures require any anesthesia? Most often the procedures can be performed in our office. Injections of a local anesthesia (xylocaine) are used to numb the skin and surrounding tissue. How soon after treatment will my symptoms improve? Typically symptoms should begin to improve one month after treatment.

3. Does pregnancy cause varicose veins? Yes, during pregnancy, the growing uterus puts more pressure on the veins that return blood from the legs. This increased pressure can result in dilated and damaged valves in the leg veins. How quickly can I resume normal activity after a varicose vein procedure? Often patients may drive after 24 hours and resume their normal activities as tolerated. No strenuous activity& for at least one week is usually recommended.