Q: What are Varicose Veins?
A: Healthy veins return blood to the heart so it can be re-oxygenated. One-way valves within the veins ensure that the blood flows in done direction, towards the heart. When the valves fail or leak, the blood flows backwards, causing blood to pool in the veins. The increased pressure from the pooling stretches the vein, causing enlarged, twisted blood vessels. The resulting bumpy, rope like veins are varicose veins.

Q: What are Spider Veins?
A: Spider veins are small, thin dilated veins that lie close to the surface of the skin. Although spider veins do not pose health risks, they can cause significant discomfort, particularly in the legs after prolonged standing. The primary factors contributing to the development of spider veins include heredity, pregnancy, hormones, weight gain, and prolonged standing or sitting. Spider veins typically occur more frequently in women.

Q: Why are varicose veins a medical problem and not just a matter of vanity?
A: Untreated varicose veins lead to problems in the legs. The pooling blood and the increase in pressure can cause changes in the skin leading to ulcerations or sores. The legs will also become painful, and large varicose veins can get damaged and bleed significantly.

Q: Why should an Interventional Radiologist treat my veins?
A: Interventional Radiologists, like the physicians with Gem State Radiology, are highly trained and experienced at doing procedures using ultrasound. The treatment can be targeted specifically to the problem veins, while avoiding additional injury to the surrounding tissues. This allows our physicians to treat without "stripping" the veins.

Q: If you treat all of my varicose veins, won't my legs have problems returning the blood to the heart and lungs?
A: Since the deep venous system, which runs inside your muscles, returns ninety percent of the blood to the heart and lungs, treating the superficial veins causes no problems with venous circulation.

Q: Should I treat my varicose veins with laser or with Sclerotherapy?
A: Both treatments are very effective if the therapy is selected carefully. Larger veins respond better to the laser therapy and can be used if the vein is accessible to a laser fiber. Studies show about a ninety-eight percent success rate using laser treatment. Sclerotherapy is great for treating smaller veins and is very minimally invasive. An ultrasound done by an experienced vascular technologist allows Advanced Vein Therapy to plan the safest, most effective treatment for your veins.