Vein Center
Call 828.452.8346Do you have bulging varicose veins? Do you sit or stand for long periods of time? Have you had multiple pregnancies?
Do you have any family members had varicose veins or been treated for vein disorders?
Do you experience any of the following?
- Leg pain or swelling
- Burning or itching skin
- Heavy, tired, or restless legs
- Skin discolorations
- Open ulcers on legs
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Leg cramps
- Blood Clots
- Neuropathy
Take a Peripheral Artery Disease Assessment
If you have questions about peripheral artery disease, start with a health assessment and learn more about any risks you may have for this condition.
Vein Center Hours
Monday - Tuesday, Thursday - Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm
Venous Insufficiency
Over 40 million Americans suffer daily with painful, swollen legs as a result of venous disease. This condition is the result of faulty valves in the veins and is called Venous Insufficiency. In a healthy vein, there are one way valves that allow the blood to move toward the heart, but not away. In a diseased vein, these valves do not work properly, allowing the blood to fall downward in between heartbeats. This back and forth motion of blood leads to an increased venous blood pressure resulting in inflammation of the tissues around the vein. This inflammation can cause leg pain, swelling, bulging varicose veins, heaviness, restlessness, cramps, skin discoloration, numbness, tingling, ulcers, Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots. Left untreated, this condition only worsens over time.
Risk Factors
Heredity is the number one risk factor for venous disease. If your parents had varicose veins, you have an 89% chance of developing them. Next to heredity is gender. Women, especially those that have had multiple pregnancies, are three times more likely than men to develop venous disorders. Additionally, professions that require long periods of sitting or standing, increase one’s risk for venous disease. Age is also a risk factor. While older people are at a higher risk for venous disease, it can start as early as childhood.
Treatment
The treatment for this disorder is called endovenous thermal ablation. This is a minimally invasive procedure where a catheter is inserted into the diseased vein by way of a small (2-3 mm) incision. Heat is applied to the vein walls causing it to close. Your body then naturally re-routes the blood through other healthy veins. The procedure is done under local anesthetic and is covered by most insurance carriers, including Medicare. Patients walk out of the vein center and return to their normal activities the same day.
Spider Veins
Spider veins are a result of dilated venous capillaries that fill with blood and become visible. These are not considered harmful and are often treated for cosmetic reasons. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into the spider vein, which causes the vein wall to seal shut, therefore stopping the blood flow. The vein will turn to scar tissue and fade away over a period of weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the closure procedure painful?
A: Patients report feeling little, if any pain during and after the procedure.
Q: How quickly can I resume normal activity?
A: Patients are walking immediately following the procedure, and patient typically resumes normal activities within one day.
Q: How soon will my symptoms improve?
A: Many patients notice an immediate relief of symptoms such as pain, leg heaviness and fatigue.
Q: Are these procedures covered by insurance?
A: Most major insurance companies including Medicare cover all treatment options with the exception of Sclerotherapy, which is used for the treatment of spider veins. Your physician can discuss your coverage further at the time of the consultation.