Varicose Veins
Varicose veins can be inherited and is caused from internal valve failure, where blood flow occurs in two directions. The backward flow or reflux causes veins to become larger and protrude. This causes unsightly, painful symptoms such as aches, heaviness, restlessness, and itching.
Spider Veins
Leg spider veins can be inherited and are caused by smaller veins that allow blood to flow backward. This leads to reflux, where the blood flows to the surface and causes veins to become larger and more visible. The root cause of spider veins are subtle, flat, blue-green veins that should be treated immediately.
How do you know you have varicose veins or spider veins?
Varicose veins are the widened, bulging or twisted veins right under the skin of the legs, usually on the back calf or on the inside of the legs. They are a very common condition that initially presents only an aesthetic issue. Some estimates say 30% of Americans have a problem with varicose veins at some point in their lives.
Spider veins are very similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller, more delicate and closer to the skin surface. They twist and turn and can seem like tree branches or spider webs, hence the name. They also show up on legs, but unlike varicose veins, they can also appear on the face. Sometimes they are precursors to varicose veins. They can also appear after an unsuccessful treatment or when the person’s condition of varicose veins gets worse.
Both problems can be successfully remedied, but they definitely won’t go away without some sort of treatment.
If varicose veins or spider veins are left untreated, the symptoms will worsen. Mild symptoms are the visual signs – swollen leg veins which are red, blue or dark purple that could also be lumpy. The skin around the veins could be dry and thin. Moderate to serious symptoms are physical sensations like itching, aching, general discomfort, swelling, burning and throbbing sensations, restless legs and night cramps. It is possible for skin discoloration, skin sores, blood clots and leg ulcers to develop.
It is important to note that the symptoms are exacerbated in hot weather and when exposed to the sun. If you have varicose veins in Los Angeles where it’s sunny all year round, Beverly Hills Vein Institute can help with minimally invasive and highly efficient treatment options.
What options for vein treatment in Los Angeles are available?
Beverly Hills Vein Institute specializes in non-surgical treatments for vein problems. In our vein center in Beverly Hills we use sclerotherapy for both spider vein and varicose vein removal, as well as endovenous laser therapy and microphlebectomy for varicose vein removal.
These treatments are highly efficient, evidence-based and scientifically supported alternatives to vein removal surgery. They involve a minimal level of invasiveness and recovery.
Are there any other non-surgical options for vein removal in Los Angeles?
If you want to remove varicose veins (spider veins are a subcategory of varicose veins) and have long-term results, you have to undergo some form of medical treatment, surgical or other.
Even though surgery has durable results, the recovery can last up to three weeks and it includes hospital stay. Not only does the recovery disrupt your everyday activities, but it also tends to be painful and can leave different levels of scarring behind.
Home treatment can help reduce symptoms and prevent the problem from spreading, but it can’t reverse the problem and make it go away. Home treatment includes some lifestyle changes, such as everyday walking and resting with legs lifted above the level of the heart. It is also recommended to wear compression stockings and moderately high heels, avoid standing for long periods of time and sit without crossing your legs. Some food supplements are also touted as being helpful, but for the majority of them there are no scientific studies to support their effectiveness.
