1841 Ridge Road Suite 2 • Green Bay, WI • Phone: 920.884.VEIN (8346) • Fax: 920.884.7757
VEIN DISORDERS – Varicose Veins & Spider Veins
The veins of the lower extremities normally carry blood to the deep veins which then carry blood back to the heart. When diseased, these veins allow blood to back up into the veins just beneath or in the skin. This can lead to swelling and skin changes including ulceration and extreme pain.
Varicose veins are any dilated, tortuous veins and are a signal that one of the main superficial veins is not functioning well. Varicose veins cause aching, throbbing, swollen and /or fatigued legs, which are generally worse at night. They can also be a cause of restless leg syndrome. If not treated appropriately they will worsen over time and may lead to thrombosis, phlebitis, dermatitis and ulceration. Heredity is the number one cause of varicose veins and spider veins. An inherited weakness of the vein wall and valves, and circulating hormones are the most common causes. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins
due to pregnancy and hormonal factors. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume, which in turn causes veins to enlarge. Varicose veins due to pregnancy may improve within several months after delivery, but seldom go away completely. Other aggravating factors include prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, trauma and intense weight-training exercise.
Varicose Vein Treatment
At Wisconsin Vein Institute we use a combination of the procedures to effectively treat varicose veins. Treatment is individually-based on the type and extent of disease. We have a comprehensive approach to treatment, which begins with your initial consultation and is continued through to post treatment follow-up.
Spider Veins are abnormally dilated blood vessels in the skin. They usually appear on the legs but can also occur on the face and less commonly the chest, arms, and back. Spider veins can cause itching, burning, heaviness and leg fatigue. Spider veins are not usually a health concern and do not lead to serious complications. The cause of spider veins is not entirely understood, but in about 20% of cases, spider veins result from superficial venous insufficiency and for that reason an evaluation with Ultrasound may be required. There are two types of spider veins, telangectasias (red) veins and reticular (blue) veins.
Telangectasias Spider Veins
Telangectasias veins are red veins on the skin surface. They are fed by reticular veins which may need to be treated prior to treatment of telangectasias. Treatment involves use of a very dilute sclerosant solution.
Reticular Veins
Reticular veins are blue veins just beneath the surface of the skin. They often feed telangectasias. A dilute sclerosant solutions of most often used. These feeder reticular veins can be difficult to see so treatment may require use of a specialized halogen light to allow better visualization.
Treatment
Treatment is with a dilute sclerosant solution. Each treatment session lasts about 20 minutes. Several sessions may be required depending on the extent of disease. Please call 920-884-8346 to schedule an evaluation.
