What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Varicose veins aren’t always painful. A change in color to a dark purple or blue and veins appearing like they’re twisted and bulging are often early indications. But more common symptoms you might experience include:

• Aching in your legs
• Heavy feeling in your legs
• Burning, throbbing, or cramping in your lower legs
• Swelling of your lower legs
• Worsening pain after standing or sitting for long periods
• Itching around the veins
• Bleeding from the veins

If you do have any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see us at Atlanta Body Institute. We can properly diagnose your condition and run through the treatment options available.

Be aware that if you spot any changes in the color of your skin on your lower legs, inflammation,  or ulcers near your ankles, get immediate medical help, as these are signs of a more serious circulatory problem.

What causes veins to become varicose?

To understand what causes varicose veins, we need to delve into a little basic anatomy. Arteries pump the blood out to your body from your heart, and veins return that blood to start the cycle again. The problem is, veins in your legs have to work against gravity to get that blood up your body to your heart. Muscle contractions in the legs act as pumps to achieve this along with the elasticity of the walls of each vein.

Age is a common cause of varicose veins because the elasticity of the walls that make up each vein can be lost as you get older. This causes the veins to stretch and be less effective at returning the blood to your heart. The blood then pools and collects in your veins, causing them to enlarge and become varicose.

Pregnancy, and the resulting changes to the body, can also cause veins to become varicose. Blood volume increases during pregnancy. But the flow of blood often decreases, especially to your legs and feet. This change to your circulation is to protect and support your baby as he or she grows but can cause varicose veins in the process.

What’s the best way to treat varicose veins?

When you’ve decided that you’ve had enough of those unsightly and painful varicose veins, call us at the Atlanta Body Institute or book online for a full consultation and detailed care plan. We have two options for removing varicose veins that are proven to work well to achieve great results, Venefit™ and Venacure™.

Venefit Targeted Endovenous Therapy is a fast procedure that causes less discomfort and bruising than more traditional varicose vein removal techniques like stripping or surgical removal. Using ultrasound to see inside the veins, we insert a small catheter into a tiny incision behind your knee. This catheter emits a specific radiofrequency to heat the vein and cause it to collapse. The blood then finds a healthier vein to use to return to your heart.

Venacure Endovenous Laser System is similar but involves the insertion of a tiny laser into the vein that emits energy to cause the vein to collapse. Laser treatment has the additional benefit of improving blood flow in that area to prevent other veins from becoming varicose in the future.

If you’re looking for quick and minimally invasive treatment options for your varicose veins, book an appointment with us today.