Vein Treatment

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins close to the surface of the skin. Any vein may become varicose, but legs and feet are the most commonly affected areas. Varicose veins occur when blood flow from the legs to the heart decreases and blood begins to pool in the veins. Visible varicose veins are a widespread condition in the United States, affecting more than 25% of adult women and over 15% of adult men. For many people, varicose veins and spider veins, a milder and less medically significant variation of varicose veins, are simply a cosmetic concern. However, for other people, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Left untreated, varicose veins may lead to more serious problems.

Besides cosmetic problems, varicose veins can become painful, especially when standing or walking and if they start to itch, scratching them can cause open sores that are slow to heal. Varicose veins might also signal a higher risk of other circulatory system disorders. In general, if you have varicose veins, it's a good idea to have them evaluated. There are new laser based treatments for varicose veins which are not invasive or painful and do not require a long down time to recuperate. Best of all, you can feel comfortable in shorts again!

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins occur when the blood flow from the legs to the heart decreases and blood begins to pool in the veins. Normally, valves within our veins help blood flow upward against gravity. But, when these valves malfunction, they allow blood to flow backwards and pool in the vein. This, coupled with an age-related loss in vein elasticity, results in stretching of the veins that give them a bulging, ropey appearance. There are several things that can cause this to happen. Some families have a predisposition to varicose veins. If one of your parents or a brother/sister has varicose veins you could be at an increased risk of developing them also. They can also be the result of certain lifestyles like jobs that require prolonged sitting or standing, sports or activities that may have caused injury to your legs or carrying excess weight that stresses your legs.

Varicose veins affect the superficial veins of the legs. They usually develop slowly, over several years, and, if left untreated can eventually cause symptoms of aching or burning pain or a sensation of heaviness or swelling in your legs.

Are varicose veins dangerous?

Commonly, varicose veins are viewed as a cosmetic concern. However, they can lead to more serious problems. When blood pools in the veins it can cause a clot which, in turn, could move into a deep vein. Such a clot, known as deep vein thrombosis, can be very dangerous. If the clot were to break loose and move through the bloodstream to the lung, it could cause a sudden pulmonary embolism, which creates a potentially life-threatening issue.

Varicose veins are often the first signs of more serious, progressive condition. What starts as varicose veins can progress to swelling in the legs, then discoloration and ultimately venous leg ulcers.

Start your treatment

Varicose veins will not get better left untreated and there is no medication to improve varicose veins.

If you want to know what your options are schedule your consultation and find out which what we can do for you, call NGPG Vascular Center at 770-219-4000. After we complete your thorough evaluation, we will recommend the least invasive treatment that will give you the best results.

Start Your Treatment!

Do you suffer from embarrassing spider veins?

If so, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Vascular Center has an effective and dependable treatment – VeinGogh. This cutting edge technology is designed to eliminate spider veins and visible facial veins. VeinGogh uses a tiny, high frequency current to collapse the vessel, which then disappears to reveal beautiful, blemish-free skin.