Prioritize leg vein health in the summertime heat

/in /by

The increased temperatures of summer have finally hit after a rainy, cooler spring. That warmer weather is a reminder to prioritize leg vein health, especially because your legs will likely be more exposed in shorts and swimsuits.

Conditions such as heat stroke and sunburns might be more top of mind this time of year, but intense heat can worsen the pain and discomfort associated with varicose veins.

The summer heat can intensify common varicose vein symptoms such as a burning or throbbing sensation in the legs; tired, achy or heaviness in the legs; swelling, especially as the day progresses; chronic pain similar to muscle cramps; itchiness; and skin discoloration in the areas of pain or discomfort.

If you recognize any of these symptoms, call us anytime at 779-218-8328 to request an appointment or come to one of our free vein screenings. A screening is crucial to fully understand what’s going on with your veins.

If treatment is necessary, we offer innovative, minimally invasive procedures for varicose veins that don’t require a lengthy recovery time. There’s still time to get your legs summer-ready and no need to suffer the pain and frustration of bulging, unsightly veins.

In the meantime, here are some general tips that will promote good leg vein health (and help the rest of your body!) during the summer.

Remember to hydrate. This is important all year-round but especially when spending more time outside. Heat and humidity can zap your energy quickly, so have plenty of water around – whether it’s at the beach or while working outside in the garden. This can prevent the cramping associated with dehydration that can worsen varicose vein symptoms, and staying hydrates helps with overall blood flow.

Maintain a healthy diet. It’s OK to indulge on some cool treats such as ice cream, but including foods such as blueberries, avocadoes and beets can improve leg vein health.

Don’t forget the sunscreen. This is good advice for protecting all of your skin and, in this case, the skin and veins just beneath the skin. Avoid direct sun exposure during midday and grab a coverup if you plan to be outside for long period  of time.

Exercise – and relax. It’s usually easier to stay active during the summer, so make sure to maintain movement and exercise. Elevate your legs when you’re relaxing to promote better circulation in them. Remember to wear comfortable shoes during extended periods of summer activity – aka swap the flip-flops for sneakers or supportive sandals when you can.

With special attention to some of these steps, you’ll have more fun in the summertime and less worry about your legs. Don’t let varicose veins make you keep those shorts and swimsuits packed away. Call us today or start here to request an appointment online.

Work on movement in your job for better leg vein health

/in /by

Whether you work in an office or on a factory floor, your job likely dictates how much sitting and standing you do on a regular basis.

We’ve all read the news about the dangers of sitting and how it increases the risk for chronic issues such as heart disease and diabetes. Some of the same issues that make sitting for long periods of time unhealthy also apply to standing too long.

Varicose veins are another medical condition that can develop when veins no longer sufficiently send blood from the legs back to the heart. Our veins have valves that enable the blood to flow forward toward the heart, but those valves can become damaged and weakened over time.

Damaged and weakened valves result in blood pooling in the legs, and sitting and standing too long helps gravity push that blood further down in the body. That’s when we increase our risks for serious, life-threatening conditions such as blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.

Which professions stand and sit the most?

Sitting and standing can take a toll on the body, but maybe it wasn’t your first concern when accepting a job or starting your career.

With it being back-to-school time, it’s a good reminder that elementary, middle and secondary school teachers are on their feet 70 percent of the day, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics. Other jobs that involve standing for most of the day include waiters/waitresses, welders, retail workers, electricians, pharmacists, physical therapists and childcare workers.

On the flip side, IT professionals such as software developers, accountants, insurance sales agents, human resource (HR) managers, lawyers, and mechanical engineers do much more sitting on average during the day.

What can I do?

Just being aware of sitting and standing too long is a good start. If you’re concerned about varicose veins, watch for and track some of the following common symptoms:

  • Burning, throbbing or cramping in the legs
  • Tired, achy or heavy-feeling legs
  • Itchy feelings around the legs
  • Skin surface ulcers on the lower legs (only in severe cases)

Movement is really key in breaking up long blocks of sitting and standing while you’re working. Walking around and stretching every 30 minutes is ideal but not always feasible if you’re in a meeting or heads-down on a project. Consider some of these additional tips:

  • Prop your feet up on a foot rest or stool to help elevate your legs.
  • Stand up and do some calf raises (stand on your tiptoes, release and repeat) or try a few squats.
  • Wear compression stockings or socks.
  • Ice swollen veins, or alternate a hot compress.

It’s also important continue these best practices at home after work. If you sit for most the day, try not to come home and continue sitting. After standing all day, make sure to elevate your legs when you do sit down. In both cases, maintaining regular exercise and eating a balanced diet can help lower your risk for vein disease and other chronic conditions.

If you’re concerned about painful, achy legs, call us anytime or click here to schedule a free vein screening. You can also hear directly from patients about how our minimally invasive treatments helped their leg pain caused by too much standing and sitting on the job.

Varicose Veins Disease

/in /by

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins generally appear as blue, somewhat bulging “cords” that run close to the surface of your skin. Most commonly, they appear on the feet and legs. There are two main types of varicose veins: superficial and deep. Superficial varicose veins are easily visible, right beneath the surface of the skin, and are often surrounded by spider veins. Deep varicose veins are relatively rare, but can be dangerous. They occur on the interior of your body, generally not visible to the naked eye, and can lead to serious blood clots.

Typically, a medical professional will examine you to provide a clear diagnosis.

What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?

For patients with varicose veins, symptoms may vary somewhat from case to case. When varicose veins are inflamed, the skin area may be tender or painful to the touch. They can also present an obstacle to healthy circulation, leading to swollen ankles, itchiness, and aching.

Deep varicose veins can also cause aching and swelling, but can also be the starting point for dangerous blood clots, an invisible symptom.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Veins contain a valve that regulates blood flow, opening to allow it to move forward and then closing to prevent movement in the wrong direction. However, varicose veins have valves that do not work correctly, allowing the blood to pool, leading to increased pressure that causes twisting and bulging.

Varicose veins are a fairly common condition, affecting close to 1 in 4 people in Illinois and the rest of the United States. One main cause is simply genetics, with many people finding it to be a family condition. Women are twice as likely as men to develop varicose veins, especially due to pregnancy. Other causes include age, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, or any condition that leads to excessive pressure on the legs or abdomen.

For those looking for information about how to prevent varicose veins, one simple way is to maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle.

What are the Options for Varicose Vein Treatment?

Patients wanting to know how to get rid of varicose veins should be pleased to hear that there are excellent options available. One option is EVLA, which involves a specialized laser treatment to shut down a vein that has become varicose. It is simple and painless, with little to no complications. Another possible treatment is sclerotherapy, which is a quick injection of a sclerosing agent to treat small spider veins.

To learn more about treatment options for your personal case, contact Northern Illinois Vein Clinic and schedule a consultation. We are well-known in Northern Illinois for providing excellent, minimally invasive treatment options for those looking for treatment for varicose veins.

Healthy couple preparing a diet shake

How to prevent varicose veins

/in /by

The appearance of varicose veins, or visibly risen veins often found in feet and legs, is a widespread disorder seen in many adults across America. Though it is a condition that affects limbs, varicose veins can actually come from a multitude of different reasons.

Varicose veins are common, stemming from numerous conditions, causes blood pressure and circulation issues. This occurrence leaves the heart unable to adequately pump blood from the engorged vein where it then begins to accumulate and create other uncomfortable symptoms. Varicose veins can most often affect pregnant women, the elderly, and those who have jobs that require long durations of standing or sitting. Here are some ways to relieve the painful side effects of varicose veins while waiting to be seen by a professional;

  1. 1. Keeping a regular exercise routine isn’t just for physical appearances, it also keeps veins open and healthy. Exercise promotes circulation and a healthy heart that can continue to pump blood even when stationary for long durations of time.
  2. 2. For those with jobs requiring extensive sitting, stretching the legs whenever possible is a great way to prevent stress and build-up in the veins from lack of movement.
  3. 3. Compression socks or stockings are a great solution to temporarily relieve pain associated with varicose veins and minimize their appearance. These garments are also easy to find in many stores.
  4. 4. While compression socks can help reduce varicose veins, other tight clothing, especially pants or shorts, can hinder blood flood and worsen the already existing condition. Instead, people suffering from varicose veins should try wearing more loose and flowing pants and shirts.
  5. 5. A variety of foods are known to improve heart health and combat hypertension, aiding in the prevention of varicose veins. Eating a diet full of various greens, berries, garlic, and spices helps to increase beneficial vitamins and minerals while lowering sodium levels in the blood.

These options are good personal methods to help take care of current varicose vein problems and prevent future issues. However, they are not a replacement for the opinion and help of a trained professional. Just as there are numerous ways to help your condition at home, there are also trained professionals who diagnose specific vein problems and can help determine which method is the best for a permanent solution.

Varicose veins affect many and have uncomfortable symptoms, but they can be permanently treated by a professional quickly and effectively with minimal discomfort. If you are looking to resolve this issue that may be affecting you internally and externally, contact Northern Illinois Vein Clinic to set up your first consultation.

What Could Be Causing Leg Sores?

/in /by

It often begins with a discolored spot on the skin near the ankle. Or maybe a minor injury breaks the skin. In most people, the bruising or broken skin heals up within a week or two. However, when there’s an underlying vein problem, the wound doesn’t heal and may increase in size, or reappears after a short period of time. That’s when chronic leg ulcers develop.

Venous leg ulcers are painful, raw, shallow wounds that can develop over time from long-term buildup of fluid in the tissues. For most people, they require wound clinic treatments and compression socks, along with prescription medications to ease the pain. The most common underlying problem causing chronic leg ulcers is disease of the leg veins. In fact, venous leg ulcers are the most common type of leg ulcers, accounting for over 90% of all cases.

Why Leg Ulcers Appear

The veins in your leg are tubes that carry the blood back from your foot to your heart. They have one-way valves that make sure the blood flows up the leg and not back down. If the valves are damaged, blood can flow backward and pool resulting in a very high pressure in the vein. The constant high pressure against the valves makes them weak and unable to effectively transport blood back to the heart. That’s what leads to leg ulcers.

The term we use to describe this condition is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The most common cause is high blood pressure in the leg veins (varicose veins), but other factors could put you at increased risk, including:

  • Diabetes
  • Aging
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Phlebitis (inflammation of varicose veins)
  • A job that requires standing and/or sitting for long periods
  • Deep vein thrombosis or blood clots in the veins of the legs
  • Family history of varicose veins or blood clots
  • Trauma, injury or surgery to the legs

Signs to Look for

CVI can be life-threatening if not treated and can lead to more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Most patients have no symptoms of CVI, so if you experience any of these symptoms, you should see a vein specialist right away:

  • Pain
  • Leg or ankle swelling
  • Pain while exercising or walking that subsides when you rest
  • Tight sensation in the legs or a feeling of itching in the legs
  • Discolored or brown skin near the ankles
  • Varicose veins or spider veins
  • Leg cramps and muscle spasms that are painful
  • Restless leg syndrome or an irresistible sensation to move the legs
  • Ulcers on the legs that are difficult to treat and slow to heal

You can decrease your risk of CVI by eating healthy (avoiding foods high in sugar and carbohydrates), maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising, avoiding sitting and standing for long periods of time and avoiding smoking.

How to Stop the Sores from Coming Back

After a leg ulcer has developed, treatment to heal the sore can take several weeks. But once your leg ulcer is healed, it doesn’t mean your problems are over. The only effective way to prevent future leg ulcers is to treat the cause. If that underlying cause is varicose veins, there is hope. There are many non-invasive treatments available today for varicose veins – and they’re covered by most insurance companies. Click here to view our before and after gallery.

Long gone are the surgically intense vein-stripping procedures. Today, varicose veins are effectively treated using Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) or sclerotherapy. EVLA is an advanced technique that uses a laser to dissolve problem veins, and Dr. Gilvydis is among the most experienced EVLA physician in the Midwest. Sclerotherapy uses a series of small injections to close bad veins, including smaller varicose veins and spider veins. Both are non-invasive, allowing most patients to return to normal activities the same or next day.

Are you ready to put an end to wound care clinic visits, compression socks and pain medication? If you have leg ulcers due to varicose veins or CVI, we can help. Contact Northern Illinois Vein Clinic to schedule a consultation.

Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution for Healthy Veins

/in /by

You’ve been meaning to take better care of your veins, but it hasn’t been a priority. This year, it’s time to put your vein health first and get relief from your painful, unsightly varicose or spider veins.

Varicose and spider veins appear when your veins aren’t working properly

You may feel aches, pains, or even numbness in your legs. Consistent movement through walking or exercise encourages the healthy valves inside your veins to contract and blood to flow toward your heart. When your muscles are at rest, these valves close to stop the blood from flowing backward. This doesn’t happen with unhealthy veins and it can cause discomfort. It’s also an early warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored.

What is venous reflux?

When your valves stop working properly or become weakened, it can cause a condition called venous reflux. Reflux of the veins occurs when blood is unable to flow back up your leg and through your heart. Instead, it pools inside the vein, just below the weakened valve. This pooling effect is what essentially creates visible, ropy varicose veins on your legs.

Varicose veins and spider veins are signs of venous insufficiency, a condition that can lead to stasis dermatitis, cellulitis and skin ulcers if left untreated. Stop this disease in its tracks with vein treatment and put an end to your misery.

Procedures

Depending on the size and severity of your varicose or spider veins, there are different procedures that can help, or even heal them. These include:

Lifestyle changes

In addition to medical treatment, your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes to help reduce the effects of varicose or spider veins. These include:

  • Keep moving. Standing or sitting for long periods of time inhibits blood flow.
  • Elevate your legs while sitting whenever possible.
  • Exercise to encourage and maintain healthy circulation.
  • Avoid tobacco use.
  • Eat a healthy diet.

Healthy veins are just a day away

It’s time to regain control of your vein health and avoid serious, avoidable complications. If you get medical assistance before your symptoms advance you can easily encourage proper vein health and perhaps reverse the effects of this disease. Contact Northern Illinois Vein Clinic at 779-207-3771 to schedule your free consultation. It’s time to follow through on your New Year’s resolution and get your legs into those shorts you’ve been pushing aside in your drawer.

Foods that Fuel Healthy Veins

Foods that Fuel Healthy Veins

/in /by

June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, the perfect time to celebrate the positive influence of nutrition on the body. Eating for healthy veins is easy with these simple tips.

Fight varicose veins and spider veins with smarter nutrition

“Cleaning up” your diet can reduce the pressure on your veins and even reinforce them. Adding these nutritional allies to your diet can result in healthier veins:

  • Soluble fiber helps you avoid constipation, which puts pressure on veins and can result in the development of varicose veins. Excellent sources of soluble fiber include:
    • Oats, flaxseed and barley
    • Peas and carrots
    • Apples and berries
    • Beans
    • Psyllium
  • Water is a vital nutrient for healthier veins. If you’re not drinking enough water, fiber can have the opposite effect and cause constipation. To stay optimally hydrated, limit alcohol, coffee and tea (each has a dehydrating effect on the body).
  • Flavonoids are linked to strengthened blood vessel walls. Some studies even connect flavonoids to diminishing the appearance of varicose veins. Rutin is one of the most powerful flavonoids and can be found in:
    • Cherries
    • Red grapes, blueberries, and blackberries
    • Apples, especially the skin
    • Apricots
    • Buckwheat

Foods that fuel healthy veins

These foods are naturally designed to help you keep varicose veins and spider veins at bay:

  • Blueberries are packed with flavonoid pigments, and they’re a great source of soluble fiber. These power berries help repair damaged proteins in blood vessel walls and promote vascular health.
  • Avocados contain vein-friendly vitamin C and vitamin E. They’re also high in glutathione, which guards the heart, veins, and arteries against oxidant damage.
  • Rosemary stimulates circulation and contains ursolic acid, which strengthens the capillaries.
  • Fresh ginger is capable of improving circulation by dissolving the blood-clotting protein, fibrin, in blood vessels.
  • Beets are rich in betacyanin, the phytochemical compound responsible for their color. Betacyanin is known to decrease levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can damage blood vessels (leading to varicose veins).
  • Asparagus strengthens veins and capillaries and can prevent them from rupturing.

Eating healthy is always a good idea, but diet may not be enough to fully eliminate varicose veins or spider veins. Left untreated, these problems can lead to ulcers or other painful complications.

At Northern Illinois Vein Clinic in Rockford, Dr. Rimas Gilvydis, a diplomat of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, uses advanced diagnostic and minimally invasive technologies to treat venous disease. And with little to no downtime, you can return to a more active routine faster.

Tips for Men with Varicose Veins

Tips for Men with Varicose Veins

/in /by

Varicose veins are not only a female issue. More than a quarter of men are currently suffering from the pain and discomfort of these bulging, twisted veins. At Northern Illinois Vein Clinic, about 45 percent of our patient base is male, and the severity of the disease is similar among genders.

Men should not let the stigma around varicose veins being a female concern prevent them from addressing the pain and discomfort they may be feeling. The following information will help men understand where varicose veins come from, symptoms they should be aware of and the different ways to reduce or eliminate them altogether.

Why do I have varicose veins?

Don’t feel afraid or embarrassed about your varicose veins. You are not alone. According to the American Vein and Lymphatic Society more than 25 million Americans have varicose veins. The following outlines the main causes for the development of your varicose veins – issues that don’t discriminate based on gender.

  • Family History – Vein disease is hereditary, so if there is a family history of varicose veins, you are more likely to have this condition as well.
  • Age – Men and women over the age of 50 are more susceptible to suffering from varicose veins.
  • Obesity – You are more likely to develop varicose veins if you are overweight. Being overwait puts additional pressure on your blood as it returns blood back to the heart.
  • Prolonged Sitting or Standing – Jobs that require you to sit or stand for long periods of can negatively impact blood flow.
  • Smoking – The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the structure and function of your veins, increasing your risk.

Is there anything I can do to get rid of my varicose veins?

A good first step is recognizing the symptoms. Varicose veins often look like twisting, bulging “cords” that are blue in color and appear near the surface of your skin – primarily on the feet and legs. They are caused by weakened or damaged valves in the veins that restrict blood flow. Symptoms include burning or throbbing sensation in the legs; tired, achy or heaviness in the legs; skin tenderness; swelling; chronic pain similar to muscle cramps in the legs; itchiness; and aching.

You can reduce the effects of varicose veins by making the following lifestyle changes:

  • Move more. Standing and sitting for too long inhibits blood flow.
    • If you sit most of the day, prop up your feet on a footrest or stool.
    • If you stand most of the day, try calf raises or work in a couple of squats when you have the chance.
    • Shift your standing position as often as possible.
    • Walk around at least once every 30 minutes.
  • Maintain a healthy weight by prioritizing a healthy diet.
  • Exercise regularly to improve circulation.
  • Quit smoking or using tobacco.

If you’re looking to get rid of your varicose veins and your symptoms altogether, there are minimally invasive laser treatments available today. Patients report little to no pain or complications and these treatments are also covered by insurance, and we accept most plans.

  • Compression Stockings: The first line of defense is the use of compression stockings or other devices, which can reduce symptoms, but are not a permanent solution.
  • Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA): A cutting-edge technology that has replaced the need for open surgery. EVLA is a minimally invasive lasering technique used to shut down varicose veins.
  • Sclerotherapy: While EVLA can be used to treat larger problem veins, it is also common to have smaller tributary veins that don’t function properly. These smaller tributary veins can be shut down through the injection of a sclerosing solution.

Men, you are not alone in living with varicose veins. It’s not a sign of weakness to seek treatment for a condition that’s causing you pain and discomfort. Call us today at 779-696-8346 or sign up for a free screening to get your quality of life back.

Why So Many Athletes Are Wary of Blood Clots

/in /by

Blood clots can be a dangerous condition for anyone, especially athletes. Serena Williams suffered severe health issues related to a Pulmonary Embolism after giving birth to her daughter. Like Williams, many athletes are increasingly focused on the threats of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Both of these conditions can be painful and disruptive to an athlete’s routine, which is why there’s an increasing concern around developing blood clots. Athletes tend to be at a higher risk because blood clots are often treated as acute conditions, such as strained muscles, and therefore are often overlooked.

Symptoms of a Blood Clot

Even though only a small amount of people experience serious symptoms from blood clots, there are notable characteristics that should not be overlooked. Symptoms of DVT in the limb could include any or all of the following:

  • Warmth in one spot
  • Discoloration on arms or legs
  • Limb swelling
  • Pain or soreness that doesn’t improve

If symptoms of a DVT are ignored, the individual could increase his or her risk of a portion of the clot breaking off and traveling to the lungs, causing a life-threatening PE. The symptoms of pulmonary embolism include rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, pain in the chest, sudden cough, dizziness and fainting.

A Demographic Often Overlooked

Sometimes people think that only the elderly or severely ill are at risk of DVT and PE. Unfortunately, athletes like Williams can also suffer from these severe blood clots due to their extremely active lifestyles. When an athlete exhibits symptoms of a blood clot, particularly pain in the arms or legs, it is sometimes treated as acute conditions such as a muscle strain, Charley Horse, cramps, shin splints or muscle tear. PE symptoms can be confused with costochondritis, bronchitis or a pulled pectoral muscle. If the symptoms match those of a blood clot, the athlete should receive immediate care due to the severity of certain blood clots.

Blood Clot Causes

Depending on family genetics, an individual is more likely to get blood clots if this condition runs in their family. Any time blood flow is slowed significantly for an extended period; it increases the risk of clotting. For example, bed rest of any kind, including after surgery or injury, can increase the possibility of a clot. Lifestyle factors such as obesity, pregnancy or smoking as well as certain medications such as hormonal birth control can also increase the risk. An athlete is at risk of getting blood clots due to the high possibility of:

  • Dehydration or nutrition deficiencies
  • Increased risk of injury or surgery
  • Localized trauma
  • Prolonged travel time to games
  • Prevention of Blood Clots

To avoid the risk of blood clots, athletes could consider using compression stockings/socks and making sure the blood in their legs is frequently circulating during extended rest periods. Individuals should maintain a healthy weight and elevate legs when possible while sitting. During times of high-intensity workouts or training, it’s important to stay hydrated and keep track of nutrition. Although eliminating the risk of blood clots is difficult, these preventive measures can help lower clotting chances. Additionally, athletes could meet with a vein specialist who can review individual vein health, circulation and anatomy.

Diagnosis and Treatment in Rockford, IL

Diagnosis of a DVT or PE typically involves a physical evaluation and an ultrasound or Computed Tomography scan and vascular labs. It’s important to seek a prompt diagnosis when it comes to dangerous blood clots. Depending on continued risk factors, medication might be administered temporarily or long-term to break up the clot or thin the blood.

The idea of Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism is frightening for anyone. Through prevention and timely diagnosis, treatment is possible. For a full evaluation of vein health and anatomy, contact Northern Illinois Vein Clinic and set up an initial consultation.

Why Sclerotherapy is a Great Way to Treat Spider Veins

Why Sclerotherapy is a Great Way to Treat Spider Veins

/in /by

Telangiectasia, more commonly known as spider veins, is a vein condition that typically occurs on the legs, creating a web-like appearance near the surface of the skin. Spider veins can appear red, blue, or purple and are sometimes accompanied by pain, heaviness or tiredness in the affected area. With treatment such as sclerotherapy at Northern Illinois Vein Clinic, spider veins can significantly improve.

What Causes Spider Veins?

A spider vein condition can sometimes be traced back to trauma to the veins in that particular area. However, in most cases, they develop due to age and genetic factors that cannot be prevented. In addition to genetics, these surface veins are more common in individuals predisposed due to certain lifestyle factors, personal characteristics and risk factors, including:

  • Being a woman
  • Pregnancy
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having an occupation that involves standing or sitting for long periods of time

Regardless of the risk factors that lead to the development of spider veins, non-invasive treatment is available for individuals seeking relief. An experienced and reputable vein specialist can assess the condition during a consultation and help the individual decide if sclerotherapy is a suitable treatment option.

Procedure Details

Sclerotherapy treatment involves a few non-surgical steps that will need to be repeated over several sessions to maximize results. The total number of sessions needed varies per individual. It is determined by the initial assessment and how well the patient responds to the treatment.

During treatment, a sclerosing medium is injected directly into the affected veins using a microneedle. This sclerosing agent causes the lining of the tiny veins to become irritated and swell, which will force the blood flow to reroute through more suitable veins. When blood flow is rerouted, the veins will collapse and eventually be reabsorbed through the body’s natural healing processes into nearby tissue. After each treatment, bruising or discoloration may occur, and a plan of aftercare will be discussed.

Improvements After Treatment

Many patients seek treatment for spider veins because they want to improve the look of their legs, ankles or other problem areas. After treatment, many individuals have great success with the improvement in appearance and symptom relief. Results include:

  • Improved appearance and faded veins
  • Fewer aches in the lower legs
  • Lessening of burning sensation in the legs
  • Relief from night leg cramps
  • Reduction in leg swelling

Different patients experience different levels of results. However, most will see satisfactory cosmetic improvements or feel a difference in vein symptoms. For some individuals, the benefit of vein care can be experienced within the first couple of treatments.

Schedule a Consultation

To take the next step toward the assessment and treatment of spider veins through sclerotherapy, contact a reputable vein clinic to set up a consultation. Northern Illinois Vein Clinic specializes in disorders of the veins and the various methods used to treat vein disease. If you are ready for vein relief or want to address a cosmetic vein issue, set up an appointment for a vein screening today and get started on a new, healthier you.