Varicose veins and the more minor spider veins are both enlarged veins that often get twisted and bulge above the skin surface. Spider veins are usually thinner and can be dark red or blue. Varicose veins and bulging veins usually take on a blue or purple hue as a result of restricted circulation. These conditions range from minor to severe, mild to critical. Some come with very minimal symptoms while others can lead to intense discomfort and pain. Any vein abnormality can put you at risk for complications such as blood clots and ulcers. Additionally, because it’s a cardiovascular condition, the worst cases can result in organ and heart failure.
There are a variety of self-care treatments, preventative and therapeutic exercises, and minimally invasive treatments that have been proven to be very effective for many patients suffering from spider or varicose veins. Our office offers the most advanced technology and methods available for preventing and treating vascular conditions.
If you or a loved one are experiencing any painful or unsightly vein-related issues, contact our highly skilled professionals in Philadelphia. We have a great team to make sure you receive personalized care for your specific issues and achieve your optimal health needs and goals.
No one should have to live with the discomfort or health risks of varicose veins. Nor should anyone have to experience feeling insecure about the appearance of your body. Contact a vein doctor to discuss your concerns. Your health and happiness is our priority.
If you’re wondering why you have spider veins or varicose veins . . .
Spider Vein Treatment and varicose veins are both a type of damaged veins. They are formed when the small one-way valves responsible for pushing blood up to the heart are somehow weakened, via some kind of strain, injury, trauma, inflammation, or other factors.
When the performance of these valves is compromised, the blood that should have otherwise been circulated upwards starts flowing backwards and accumulating in the vein. The vein puts pressure on the vein walls, the vein walls weaken, and the vein itself begins to bulge outwards.
Some individuals are more susceptible to experiencing vein issues. Genetics, personal lifestyle (i.e. diet, level of physical activity, weight), age, hormonal patterns (including pregnancy) are all contributing factors to cardiovascular health. Additionally, there are risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins and other related conditions such as smoking, unhealthy diet, obesity, and anything that interferes with proper circulation such as sitting/standing for long periods of time or not exercising enough.
Treatments, Procedures, and What To Expect
Various Spider Vein Treatment options range from simple at-home self-care regiments to minimally invasive procedures to minor surgical procedures.
Self-Care, At-Home Care, Preventative Care: Your specialist will assist you in developing a personalized, beneficial, care regimen. Consider this your “homework”. It’s important to commit to performing activities to aid in healing and prevention of further issues.
- Walking is an excellent daily activity to help stimulate your circulatory system.
- Exercise and stretch on a regular basis whether it be: at home or a fitness facility; a yoga class or just a simple few minutes stretching every morning before your day and night before you go to sleep; an online video tutorial or a run or bike ride in the park. All that matters is you stay active!
- Eat a low-salt, high-fiber diet, and always stay hydrated
- Avoid tight, unsupportive footwear and use *compression socks or stockings
*Compression socks and stockings apply consistent pressure to swelling, encourage proper blood flow back upwards to the heart, and decrease your chance of bulging veins and blood clots.
- Some people even find it motivating and beneficial to keep a journal to track their progress!
Consultation, exams, and diagnostics: Once you have contacted our skilled Philadelphia team, we will bring you in to discuss your concerns and administer a physical exam using advanced technology including doppler ultrasound and plethysmographs. These are able to view and track the flow and volume of blood through the veins.
After your initial assessments and diagnoses, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan according to your specific conditions and needs.
An Overview of Vein Treatments
- Sclerotherapy: is a minimally invasive process using a very thin needle to inject a sclerosant agent into a swollen, damaged, or bulging vein. Over time, the veins will decompress and become significantly less visible.
- Laser Treatment uses a very small, intense laser light to destroy a damaged vein without affecting the skin. Although the more shallow spider veins will show visible improvement right away, the thicker varicose veins may take a week or two to fully recover.
- Radiofrequency ablation is another minimally invasive procedure used to treat varicose veins. Heat is created from radiofrequency waves, which are used to permeate the inner wall of the affected vein. As a result, scar tissue forms which provides protection from further varicose vein development.
- ClariVein (mechanochemical ablation) is an advanced procedure used to treat and heal varicose veins without using heat or lasers. It uses a specially designed catheter to redirect blood flow from damaged veins to neighboring healthy veins that will take over the job of circulating that blood back up to the heart.
Most patients report only mild and minimal side effects and are often ready to return to their daily lives and activities the next day or two.
Your specialist will recommend a post-treatment plan, which includes returning to your normal at-home, self-care routines. We may also recommend certain activities to speed healing, such as the use of specific compression-wear, using relief topicals, or adding to / adjusting your normal regimen.
Skill, attention to detail, and a true commitment to each patient’s well-being are the priorities of the team at the Philadelphia Vein Treatment Clinic. Contact us today to help you receive the best possible care available.
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