Varicose Veins – Causes and Treatment

Did you know that approximately 23% of adults in the United States have or will develop varicose veins? And while sometimes they can be brought on by factors that are out of our control, varicose veins can be a result of excess weight, overworking the legs, or not working the legs quite enough. If you suffer from varicose veins, we recommend learning the causes and how they can be treated. 

Are you looking for an effective treatment for varicose veins in El Paso? Contact El Paso Varicose Veins Laser Clinic today at (915) 577-0121.

Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors 

Excess Weight 

Weight can be both a cause and a risk factor when it comes to developing varicose veins. Being overweight adds more pressure on your body than it can handle. This means added pressure on the veins as the vessels work harder to deliver, distribute, and return blood to the heart. 

Standing or Sitting for Long Periods of Time 

Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. So even if you think you are doing good by constantly moving your body, it is important to allow your body to rest as it needs. The right amount of movement encourages blood flow. Therefore, you do not want to be sitting too much, but you also do not want to overwork your body. 

Family History 

If your family has a history of varicose veins, you have an increased risk of developing them as well. Having too few valves or valves that do not function properly is a problem that is commonly inherited. If your family does have a history of this condition, it is important to treat your body accordingly in order to decrease the likelihood of varicose veins. 

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is considered a risk factor and not so much a cause of varicose veins. This is because female hormones during pregnancy can encourage the walls of the veins to stretch. In addition to those who are pregnant, those who are on birth control have a higher risk of varicose veins due to a change in hormone levels. 

Menopause 

Similar to the effects of pregnancy and birth control, hormonal fluctuations due to menopause can lead to varicose veins. The sudden rise and drop of estrogen and progesterone during these phases can create thickened and less flexible vein walls. This forces the vessels to work harder, as in any other cause or risk of varicose veins. 

Age 

Like many other conditions, age puts people at risk of developing varicose veins. Those who are fifty years or older are recommended to be mindful of the time they spend moving and sitting. Aging causes wear and tear in regards to many aspects of one’s health, including the valves in the veins that help control blood flow. 

Treatment 

Sclerotherapy 

Thankfully, there are many ways varicose veins can be treated, one of them being sclerotherapy, also known as injection therapy. During this treatment, a professional will inject a solution into the affected area or vein. The injection is designed to help the vein walls to stick together. With time, the varicose vein turns into scar tissue and fades. 

Laser Therapy 

If you are looking for a minimally invasive procedure to treat varicose veins, laser therapy is recommended. Also known as endovenous thermal ablation, laser therapy consists of a catheter and a laser to close off a damaged vein. The device sends a thin beam of radiation in the form of light to shrink the vein, ultimately closing it. This allows the blood to flow through other veins instead. 

Call Today for Varicose Vein Treatment in El Paso

If you are looking for an effective way to treat varicose veins, you have come to just the right place. Here at El Paso Varicose Vein Laser Clinic, we specialize in treating varicose veins. In fact, our team of clinicians provides several methods of treatment to fit your specific needs. Give us a call today at (915) 577-0121 to learn more.