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We Can Vanish Varicose Veins... Fast!
Are you embarrassed by twisted
and bulgy dark-colored
veins? If so, you're not alone.
Varicose veins, which most commonly
occur in legs and feet, affect one
in two U.S. adults older than age 50.
That number increases with age. And
for many people, these gnarled veins
are a painful health problem that is
more than skin deep.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Veins have one-way valves that keep the
blood flowing toward the heart. When
the valves don't work well, blood backs
up and pools in the veins. This causes
them to swell and turn darker.
Other factors that may play a
role include:
- Pregnancy
- Loss of vein elasticity with aging
- Obesity
- A job that requires long periods of standing
Find Relief Now
"For some people, wearing compression
stockings to increase circulation
is sufficient to decrease the discomfort
of varicose veins," says Stephen
Kolakowski, M.D., an endovascular
surgeon at Riverview Medical Center.
"But with the fast, low-risk medical
treatments that have become available
within the past five years, there's no reason to suffer with aesthetically
unpleasing or physically painful varicose
veins."
At Riverview, our experts use the
VNUS Closure catheter, a radiofrequency
ablation catheter. This
advanced technique replaces the need
for the incisions, stitches, and bruises
typically required to "strip" these
unsightly veins out from under the
skin. "We use a procedure where the
vein is closed off using a special catheter
called a Closure," Dr. Kolakowski
explains. "This outpatient procedure
takes less than an hour and is done
using a local anesthesia along with a
mild sedation. Patients can drive, walk,
and do other light activities by the next
day and there are no unsightly bruises."
Consult your physician to learn
more about the removal of varicose
veins. Many insurance plans cover
part or all the procedure if it is medically
required and the rate of recurrence
is about 1 percent.
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To prevent or decrease symptoms of varicose veins:
- Avoid standing for long periods of time.
- Walk as much as possible to help the blood return to your heart.
- Rest with your legs elevated.
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time.
- Wear support stockings.
- Get enough vitamin C (this helps keep your veins healthy and elastic).
- Don't wear socks or stockings with tight elastic that limits circulation.
- Avoid excessive weight gain.
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