Grand Junction Vein Center

varicose vein frequently asked questions
Have questions about Varicose Veins and Varicose Vein Treatments? We have answers. If you can’t find the answer here, give us a call today at (970) 242-8346 and we will be happy to talk to you about it.
  1. What is a varicose vein? Varicose veins are enlarged, dilated, sometimes bulging veins, usually in the legs. They can cause pain, aching, and restless legs. Many people don’t like how their varicose veins look.
  2. How do I know if I have varicose veins? Varicose veins can be seen, can cause symptoms or both. Varicose can be seen as large veins protruding on the legs, but some varicose veins can only be seen with ultrasound. Varicose veins can cause legs to be achy or painful. They can also cause restless legs syndrome.
  3. What should I do if I have varicose veins? Conservative treatment can help keep veins from getting worse. Elevate your legs, exercise, and wear compression stockings. For more severe varicose veins and for more permanent solutions, in-office procedures can be performed to close off varicose veins, or in some cases remove them.
  4. Are varicose veins painful? Varicose veins can cause pain, aching, or discomfort.
  5. Is varicose vein treatment covered by insurance? Most insurance companies cover treatment for varicose veins, as long as the veins are causing pain, aching, ulcers, bleeding, or other related symptoms. Insurance companies will usually not cover varicose vein treatment if it is for looks (cosmetic reasons) only.
  6. Where can I get my varicose veins removed? We perform varicose vein treatments right in our office. Typically varicose veins are closed off, and only more rarely removed. Patients can go home 30 minutes after the procedure is finished.
  7. How can I get my varicose veins treated? The path to treatment starts with a varicose vein screening in our office. Usually, an ultrasound will be ordered to see which of the main veins need to be treated. Then we’ll come up with an individualized treatment plan to provide relief from the symptoms of varicose veins. Some patients can have their veins treated with one office procedure, though others with more severe vein problems may require multiple treatments.
  8. What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins are larger veins that often bulge through the skin, whereas as spider veins are the very small veins seen just under the skin surface.
  9. What are the different treatments for varicose veins? Varicose veins can be closed off by simple, nearly pain-free office procedures using radio-frequency energy or injection of medication. On rare occasions varicose veins are removed through very small incisions. Spider veins are treated with medication injections that close them off and cause them to disappear.
  10. Why do I have varicose veins? Varicose veins are caused when valves in the veins fail and blood can flow the wrong direction, causing the veins to distend or stretch out. This can be caused by standing for long periods, or a sedentary lifestyle. Some people have a genetic tendency towards varicose veins. Pregnancy, obesity, and chronic constipation can contribute to causing varicose veins as well.