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How do I know if I have vein
disease?
Most patient’s come to realize they have vein disease by
either visually recognizing an abnormal vein, or by experiencing
symptoms. Many veins can be seen by looking at the size and color of the
vein at the skin surface. Occasionally, however, the diseased vein may
be deeper in the leg and not visible through the skin. As a result,
paying close attention to other symptoms is important in diagnosing vein
disease. Symptoms include cramping, aching, burning, itching, soreness,
or “tired” or “restless” legs. If you experience any of these
symptoms, your physician can quickly and easily perform a test to
determine if you have vein disease.
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How common is
vein disease?
Vein disease of the legs is an extremely common medical
condition. Approximately half of the population has some form of vein
disease. Varicose veins affect between 15 to 25% of all adults, and
approximately 50% of all people over age 50. Women have a higher
incidence of vein disease than men.
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How does vein
disease occur?
The single most important cause of vein disease is heredity.
Approximately 70% of all patients with varicose veins have parents with
the same condition. Pregnancy, obesity, and jobs requiring long periods
of standing are contributing causes of vein disease.
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What are the treatment options
for vein disease?
Depending on the type and stage of vein disease, there are many
different treatments. These treatment modalities include compression
stockings, sclerotherapy,
surgical
stripping, microphlebectomy (a technique in which several tiny
incisions are made in the skin through which the varicosed vein is
removed) and
endovenous laser therapy (use the heat of laser energy to scar and close
off varicose
veins). Your physician can explain all of the options.
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What can happen if varicose
veins are not treated?
Varicose veins generally worsen over time. Initially, slight
pain and restlessness in the diseased leg will be felt. If untreated,
this pain will increase and will result in limitations in walking and
cramps during sleeping. Eventually, varicose veins can lead to open
sores on the foot and tissue loss.
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What are the complications of
vein treatment?
Fortunately, sclerotherapy
and endovenous laser therapy have
rarely been associated with any serious complications when properly
performed. Common minor complications of these procedures include
bruising, itching, tingling, tenderness and tightness in the treated
leg. These post treatment symptoms can occur up to two weeks after
treatment.
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Will insurance cover the
treatment?
Many insurance companies cover the treatment of vein disease
that is associated with substantial pain and other complications.
Individual insurance companies may limit the types of therapy that are
covered. The staff of Advanced Vein Treatment will assist you in
determining which treatments will and will not be covered by your
insurance carrier.
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Who are candidates for
sclerotherapy?
Women and men of any age may be candidates for sclerotherapy, but most
are 30 to 60 years in age. Spider veins are more common in women. Men do
have spider veins, but often do not consider them to be a cosmetic
problem because the veins are usually concealed by hair growth on the
leg. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should postpone sclerotherapy
treatment, as spider veins that occur during pregnancy usually disappear
on their own. Further, it is not known how sclerosing solutions may
affect breast milk.
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