What are Varicose Veins?
Primarily found in your legs, varicose veins are enlarges, twisted veins that appear near the surface of the skin. About 1 and 5 Americans are affected by varicose veins, and while this can be common, it isn’t normal., Varicose veins are an indication that the blood in your veins is not flowing properly. There are many symptoms that people have, but don’t always realize varicose veins is the underlying cause. Left untreated, varicose veins can leave you at risk for developing further complication or health problems.
What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?
While the appearance of varicose veins is a symptom itself, many don’t realizer that other leg pain and symptoms are related to the malfunctioning veins. Other symptoms that can be a result of varicose veins are:
- Swelling in the legs & ankles
- Achy or heavy legs
- Itching around the veins
- Veins that are dark purple or blue
- Burning or tingling in the legs
- Discoloration of the skin
- Pain from standing or sitting for an extended time
- Bulging or twisted veins
- Causes
- Treatment
- Insurance Coverage
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Veins have valves that help regulate blood flow. If these valves weaken or become damaged, blood may pool in the veins, causing them to enlarge and become varicose. Your genetics can play a part in causing varicose veins as you may be predisposed to developing them if you have family history of varicose veins. Your personal health history and current health circumstances may also lead to an increased chance of having varicose veins. Women are more likely to develop varicose veins. Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause, can be contribution factors. As people age, the elasticity of the veins decreases, leading to weakened vein walls and a higher likelihood of varicose veins. Your lifestyle also can be a contributing cause of varicose veins if you partake in activities where you are standing or sitting for prolonged periods as it can affect blood circulation.
How are Varicose Veins Treated?
At Tepas Vein Center there are several treatment options we offer. All treatments are performed in the office and are minimally invasive. We offer medical-grade Compression Stockings, Cosmetic Lasers, Varithena®, VenaSeal™, and ClosureFast™ Radio Frequency Abaltions. You will meet with our team of board-certified surgeons and nurse practitioners to determine which treatment is best to meet your needs and provide the best possible outcome.
Will Insurance Cover Treatment?
We accept most major insurance and most plans will cover varicose vein treatments. Because insurance plans, coverages, and deductibles are different, we advise you to call your insurance company and discuss what benefits are available to you for the treatment of varicose veins. Typically you will pay your standard specialist co-pay for your consultation. You will likely have an appointment for ultrasound testing and then a separate follow-up appointment to discuss the results of the testing. During your follow up the provider will determine the best course of action to schedule you for one of our treatment options. Before the actual treatment, we will work with your insurance company to determine any out-of-pocket or co-pay expense that you will be responsible for.