FAQS

 What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that result from faulty valves within the vein that allow the blood to reverse flow. Rather than bringing blood back up to the heart to be recirculated, the malfunctioning valves allow the blood within the veins to reverse flow, down the legs, thereby causing the veins to enlarge. The enlarged veins often lose their straight tubular shape and become tortuous, even appearing in clusters. Varicose veins are often symptomatic with patients reporting burning, itching, tingling, fatigue, heaviness, cramping, aching, swelling, edema, and restlessness. Left untreated, symptomatic Varicose veins can progress to more serious medical conditions including skin inflammation, skin ulcer, venous inflammation, and venous blood clots.

 What causes varicose veins?

- Heredity is the number one factor causing varicose veins. An inherited weakness of the vein wall and vein valves contribute enlargement of normal veins.
- Pregnancy - The pressure from the baby on the pelvis during pregnancy obstructs returning blood flow from the leg veins. The chronic elevated pressure in the veins cause them to dilate and the valves to malfunction.
- Occupations - Some jobs require long periods of standing or sitting, which causes blood to pool in the legs. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins, especially because of pregnancy and hormonal factors. In addition to family history and female gender, other aggravating factors predisposing to development of varicose veins include advancing age, obesity, trauma, intense weight-training exercise, and occupations involving prolonged sitting or standing.
- Age
- Obesity

 Wouldn't closing varicose veins into normal veins make them become varicose?

Since varicose veins have abnormal blood flow, the surrounding veins are already being burdened and must compensate for the refluxing blood flow. Treatment of abnormal veins reduces this burden from the surrounding veins, thereby improving the venous circulation. The improvement in venous circulation occurs because the body redirects the blood flow into stronger, healthier, deeper veins within the legs.

 Does your body need all of its veins?

The body has many collateral and redundant veins through which blood can flow. Removing the abnormal veins will not adversly effect the ability for the blood to return to the heart.

 Why is it important to have a venous ultrasound evaluation?

In assessing symptomatic varicose veins, an expertly performed venous ultrasound evaluation plays a critical role. A venous duplex ultrasound evaluation is performed which permits the Radiologist to see the anatomy and to map out the underlying leg veins and identify pathologic reflux into the superficial veins of the leg. Useful information is gathered to diagnose your specific vein problem. After the Radiologist makes an accurate diagnosis, an appropriate and effective customized treatment plan can be developed for you.

 What is an ultrasound evaluation like?

After applying ultrasound gel to the leg, a handheld device is passed back and forth to evaluate the underlying veins. Sound waves sent into the leg bounce back to the handheld device whereby the attached ultrasound machine displays them as a picture on a monitor. The ultrasound evaluation is painless and usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete.

 Can you exercise after the EVLA procedure?

Exercise is not only permitted following the EVLA procedure, it is encouraged. Immediately after the EVLA procedure, our patients are encouraged to walk. We find that patients who use their leg muscles every day after the EVLA procedure have faster healing, less discomfort, and fewer complications. The simplest and most effective form of exercise to optimize leg vein function is walking. We often have our patients abstain from running, jumping, heavy lifting, abdominal straining, swimming and bathing (showering is okay) for 1-2 weeks following the EVLA procedure.

 How do I begin leg vein treatment?

Call The Vein Center at Riverwoods 1-801-229-2002 to schedule your formal vein consultation. During the initial consultation, your legs will be examined and an ultrasound evaluation will be performed by one of our Radiologists. Any questions you have will be answered. You may also discuss your expectations and anticipated results. At this point, an estimate of the treatment sessions including follow-up sessions, affiliated costs, and payment will be covered which will vary depending upon the size and extent of your problem. You should then be able to schedule your initial vein treatment procedure(s) and follow-up treatment sessions with us at the Vein Center.