Grand Junction Vein Center understands patients have questions regarding vein health, treatment options, and what to expect during their visit. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about vein treatments and you can call the office at 920-248-4309 to speak with a specialist. Below are some of our frequently asked questions:
Vein Health and Venous Disease FAQs
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins result from insufficiency inside the valves. The veins appear swollen and enlarged as they cannot carry blood to the heart effectively. The valve system fails over time and can cause additional health concerns and discomfort. Smaller spider veins can also contribute to vein issues. Dr. Andrew J. Morse will preform an ultrasound to determine your vein issues and recommend a treatment plan.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Common symptoms of varicose veins include:
- Swollen and enlarged veins
- Excessive swelling of the legs
- An itching or burning sensation of the legs and ankles
- Skin discoloration
- Frequent leg pain and cramping
- Aching and fatigue in the legs
- Feeling of heaviness and discomfort tin the legs
Some patients notice symptoms get worse at the end of the day, or after they’ve been standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods of time. Wearing compression socks and elevating the legs can help relieve some of these symptoms but will not cure the problem.
What causes varicose veins?
Some people are predisposed to developing varicose veins because of genetics or lifestyle factors. If varicose veins runs in the family, there is a high probability that the individual will develop varicose veins or have weekend veins at some point in their lives. Other cases of varicose veins include:
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- History of blood clots
- Medications that increase estrogen or progesterone
- Standing for long periods of time
What is venous disease?
Venous disease is also known as venous insufficiency and superficial venous reflux. The condition is the result of poor blood flow from the legs to the heart. When the blood valves become damaged or diseased, blood doesn’t flow back to the heart efficiently and starts to pool in the legs. This is what causes swelling and discomfort. If this continues, the veins can begin to bulge and become more visible. This is when most people look to treat varicose veins.
Since symptoms of venous disease can cause long-term complications and significant discomfort, we encourage all patients to undergo a vein screening. We can perform a simple, painless ultrasound exam right in our office to determine whether varicose veins or vein issues you are having are symptoms of a more serious condition.
How do you prevent venous disease?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no way to prevent venous disease. If you are genetically predisposed to develop venous disease, you will have to undergo treatment. The good news is the Grand Junction Vein Center offers an effective, minimally-invasive treatment for venous disease. This means you don’t have to undergo painful surgery or wait weeks to recover from treatment.
What happens if I delay treatment for venous disease?
We encourage patients to undergo treatment for venous disease as soon as it’s diagnosed. Early treatment can not only stop the discomfort and symptoms, such as swelling and irritation, around the varicose veins you are experiencing, but also prevent more serious problems. Early treatment can reduce the risk of harmful blood clots, ulcerations, and phlebitis.
What does varicose vein treatment involve?
We offer the Venefit™ radio frequency (RF) procedure for the treatment of varicose veins and venous disease. This is a minimally-invasive procedure that involves inserting a small catheter into the vein and firing RF energy to collapse the vein walls. The vein walls are sealed from the heat which speeds up the recovery time. Many patients find Venefit™ to be a convenient and relatively painless alternative to vein stripping and traditional vein surgery.
Is varicose vein treatment painful?
Since Venefit™ is a minimally-invasive procedure, most patients feel little to no discomfort. We numb the area with local or regional anesthetic and any discomfort during the recovery period is minimal. Venefit™ treatment has the added benefit of minimal bruising and the veins remain closed for several years after treatment.
How long does it take for symptoms to go away after treatment?
Many patients notice a significant difference in just a few short weeks after treatment. Most patients get relief from the distress and discomfort they learned to tolerate when living with varicose veins once the entire treatment is complete.
Spider Veins FAQs
What causes spider veins?
Spider veins can develop in one of two ways: dilation of pre-existing veins or hormonal fluctuations. This is why pregnancy or menopause can be a trigger for spider vein development. Patients taking medication with estrogen, or medications and supplements that increase estrogen, are also at risk for developing spider veins.
Does crossing my legs cause spider veins?
This is a common myth. Spider veins are not caused by crossing your legs or by standing or sitting for long periods of time. In most cases, abnormal vein development is simply genetic.
How can I prevent spider veins?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to prevent spider veins. Compression hose and stockings, taking dietary supplements, and exercising regularly, cannot prevent spider vein development.
Are spider veins serious?
Many people are bothered by the appearance of spider veins, and in some cases, the veins are simply superficial. However, spider veins can be a symptom of larger, diseased veins underneath the skin. This is why we typically perform an ultrasound when there are signs of abnormal vein development. Spider veins can be branches of larger, more problematic veins, but can still be treated fairly easily.
How do you treat spider veins?
We perform sclerotherapy for spider veins. This involves injecting a solution or foam product (sclerosant) into the veins to help break down and shrink the veins. When the veins no longer function, blood is rerouted to other, healthier veins. The treated veins are eventually absorbed by the body and symptoms resolve fairly quickly.
Practice FAQs
How do I make an appointment for vein treatment?
Call our office at 970-248-4309 to schedule your consultation. After reviewing results of your ultrasound, we can schedule your treatment appointment and followup visits.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring the following to your consultation appointment:
- Form of ID
- Insurance card
- Any existing medical diagnoses
- List of medications you currently take or have taken in the last few years
- Recent medical records (if any)
- Any doctor’s notes related to vein problems
Will insurance cover my procedure?
Most insurance companies do cover all or some of the costs of vein treatment if it is performed for medical reasons. We can verify insurance coverage and benefits before your visit.
What are my payment options for vein treatment?
Most insurance companies will cover treatment of venous disease for medical reasons. For cosmetic treatments and services, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and debit cards. Ask us about third-party financing options that can make treatment planning easier.
