Frequently Asked Questions
- What causes varicose veins?
- How do valves get damaged?
- Why do veins need valves?
- What are the available treatments for varicose veins?
- Will treatment for my varicose veins hurt?
- Will my health insurance pay for treatment of my varicose veins?
1. What causes varicose veins?
The short answer is bad valves.
Veins have one way valves to keep the blood flowing back to the heart. Varicose veins develop because damaged valves inside the veins allow blood flow in the wrong direction. As the blood pools in the veins, pressure builds up, and the veins dilate and lengthen, causing the bulging tangled veins known as varicose veins.
2. How do valves get damaged?
Doctors do not completely understand the causes of varicose veins. Heredity seems to be the most important factor in developing varicose veins. In other words, you were born with the potential to get varicose veins. It may be that the valves do not work correctly from birth, or your valves are somehow weaker than someone who does not get varicose veins, or your veins stretch more easily, causing the valves to malfunction. Other factors also seem to be involved in the development of varicose veins such as gender (most reports estimate women get varicose veins 1.5 to 3 times as often as men), pregnancy, age (veins get worse as one gets older), obesity, prolonged standing, hormone levels, repeatedly lifting heavy weight while standing, and physical trauma.
3. Why do veins need valves?
The short answer is because veins carry blood against the force of gravity.
Your heart pumps blood into arteries which carry the blood into progressively smaller arteries to every tiny corner of your body. The smallest vessels are called capillaries. In the capillaries, the blood moves one red blood cell at a time through the capillaries where the oxygen and nutrients in the blood are unloaded into the tissues. The blood picks up carbon dioxide gas and waste products to be taken out of the body. As the blood begins to return to the heart it flows into larger and larger vessels called veins. The blood in the veins must travel against gravity to return to the heart, so a pump is required. The muscles in the legs act as the pump. When the muscles contract the blood is moved forward in the veins. But when the muscles relax, the valves close, preventing the blood from flowing back down the legs.
4. What are the available treatments for varicose veins?
The most commonly asked questions are: "Do veins require treatment?" and "Which treatment is best?". Patients with veins that are unsightly and/or cause pain or other symptoms are prime candidates for treatment. Varicose vein disease can lead to significant health concerns. There are two general treatment options: conservative measures, such as compression stockings, and corrective measures such as sclerotherapy, laser treatment and surgery. In some cases, a combination of treatment methods work best.
In general, surgery, or "vein stripping" has been replaced with outpatient procedures that are nearly painless. Patients can return to normal daily activities the same day of the procedure.
5. Will treatment for my varicose veins hurt?
Vein Treatment Specialists, PC uses the most up to date technology available in the medical and cosmetic treatments of veins. The new technology of EVLA makes treatment relatively painless, and patients can usually return to their normal daily activity on the same day of treatment. It is actually advised that patients remain as active as possible immediately following their procedures.
A series of follow up appointments will be scheduled to ensure that there are no complications.
6. Will my health insurance pay for treatment of my varicose veins?
Most insurance companies cover "medically necessary vein treatment".
Cosmetic treatment is usually not covered.
We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
Please call us at 970-776-1600 and we would be happy to check with your individual insurance company to verify coverage.
