Vein insufficiency and other venous conditions can be acute or can last for months or years as a chronic condition. Deep vein disease refers to any condition that affects the veins in the body. In severe cases, limbs or life may be at risk. The treatment of venous disease begins with a medical history and examination of the circulation.
The smallest, most aesthetic veins that appear in the skin are called spider veins; they are treated with sclerotherapy. For larger varices, laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation is a comfortable option that requires no downtime. Contrary to popular belief, varicose veins are not necessarily caused by standing for too long or old age. As part of academic medical practice, SLUCare vascular surgeons are at the forefront of developing, testing and using these techniques, offering advanced care for hard-to-treat diseases affecting veins and arteries. The reason why varicose vein disease is a medical condition and not an aesthetic issue lies in the pathophysiology of venous disease.
Treatments for varicose veins, such as sclerotherapy, can cause darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation) around the vein area. Varicose veins are primarily an inherited disorder that worsens in people who spend much of their workday on their feet. It's essential to wear compression stockings continuously for the first 24 hours after varicose vein treatments. However, in many people, this valve system begins to break, causing a backflow of venous blood into the affected vein. While these symptoms are common in many surgical and nonsurgical treatments, people may not realize that with procedures to treat varicose veins, many of these side effects don't show up right away. Surgeons at the Heart & Vascular Center are participating in clinical trials to evaluate new treatments for deep vein disease.
This may be a beneficial option for those patients whose varicose vein treatment has been considered exclusively cosmetic by their insurance providers.
