FAQs

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What are varicose veins?

Am I at risk?

Insurance Information

How do you prevent varicose veins?

Will the veins come back once treated?

What is the relationship between varicose veins and pregnancy?

How will the treatments effect the rest of my circulation?

What is the connection between varicose veins and blood clots?

Will the veins come back once treated?

Typically, once a vein has been cleared, the treated vein should not come back. However, factors (genetic, hormonal, occupational…) that originally predispose one to developing vein problems may cause new veins to dilate if the underlying factors aren’t resolved. Therefore, all sources of reflux should be addressed to minimize the probability and extent of recurrences. New veins that appear in the same location need to be evaluated for the underlying cause.
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What is the relationship between varicose veins and pregnancy?

Varicose veins and spider veins often appear during pregnancy. The cause is multi-factorial, however, both hormonal changes and pressure effects of the fetus play some role. Occasionally, the veins may resolve after birth. Treatment should not be undertaken until 6 months postpartum, if the veins have not spontaneously resolved. Definitive management is ideally timed after future child-bearing is no longer desired, for optimal results.

During subsequent pregnancies, women should wear compression stockings to minimize development of new veins and minimize symptoms caused by the veins.
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How will the treatments effect the rest of my circulation?

The vast majority of all varicose veins and spider veins represent abnormal pathways of blood flow that develop over time because of abnormal function of vein valves and increased pressure in the superficial veins. When these veins are removed, overall circulation may actually be improved due to less blood pooling in abnormal veins in the legs and the improvement in venous blood flow back to the heart.
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What is the connection between varicose veins and blood clots?

Superficial bulging varicose veins are predisposed to development of blood clots. This is called “superficial thrombophlebitis”. This is particularly true if a patient has other risk factors for blood clots, such as: obesity, smoking, oral contraceptives, or family history.

Occasionally, people may develop varicose veins from prior blood clots in the deep veins of the legs, causing dilation of superficial venous outflow pathways. Swollen superficial veins with pain and swelling can result from as part of a “post-phlebitic syndrome” from chronically damaged and obstructed deep venous drainage pathways. These varicose veins should not be treated, because they are the body’s way of creating a detour of blood flow back to the heart. This is another reason comprehensive evaluation of the veins as well as a deep venous ultrasound may be suggested prior to initiating treatment.
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