Myths About Symptoms and Varicose Vein Treatments
There are a lot of myths about vein disease out there, often causing confusion about the disease. Renowned vein expert Dr. Thomas Wright hears a lot of vein disease myths at his varicose vein treatments center in St. Louis and wants to set the record straight. Click on one of the varicose vein treatments and vein disease myths below for the facts.
Common Vein Disease Myths
Myth: Varicose veins and venous disease only happens to old people
Fact: Varicose vein disease can affect people at any age. Some people in their late teens and early 20s have varicose veins. Heredity is an important factor in vein disease, so families with vein disease may begin experiencing symptoms at early ages. Factors that also affect veins are gender, pregnancy hormones, weight, physical trauma, and standing for long periods with no relief.
Myth: Only women have varicose vein disease
Fact: Women do experience higher incidences of vein disease. This is attributable to female hormones affecting vein walls, especially during pregnancy. But many men experience vein disease — as many as 25% of men experience venous reflux.
Myth: Spider veins are the same as varicose veins
Fact: The truth is that spider veins are not the same as varicose vein disease. Their cause, appearance and medical implications are very different. Varicose veins are ropey, thickened veins that have twisted due to incompetence of inner valves. Spider veins on the other hand are visible dilated blood vessels just below the skin’s surface, typically showing on the face, neck, chest and legs.
Myth: Appearance is the only reason to seek varicose vein treatments
Fact: Varicose veins are a medical issue. Vein disease is frequently painful and interferes with enjoyment of life and work. Veins can swell and hurt, burn or itch. Legs may also feel very heavy. If not treated, vein disease progresses to conditions including eczema, pigmentation, skin ulcerations and bleeding, and leaves patients at risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism.
Myth: The only treatment for varicose vein disease is painful and puts people out of commission for two weeks
Fact: Vein ablation as a varicose vein treatment is proven to be safe, effective and relatively pain-free, with patients experiencing just minimal discomfort after the procedure. Recovery is very quick. It is an outpatient or in-office procedure that is completed in under an hour. Patients walk out and resume normal activities the same or following day. There is no need for general anesthesia with vein treatments, and its associated long recovery. There are a few incisions that are tiny and they heal rapidly.
Myth: All laser-based vein treatments are the same
Fact: External lasers can be used to treat spider veins for cosmetic purposes, but cannot treat and cure the cause of varicose vein disease. Endovenous ablation has been shown to offer 98 percent success at one month follow-up and 93.4 percent at two-year follow-up.
Myth: There are going to be marks after undergoing the procedure
Fact: Vein ablation patients are less likely to suffer short-term bruising or the long-term scarring compared to surgical ligation and stripping or other invasive varicose vein treatments.
Myth: Closing off a major vein can cause circulatory problems later on
Actual Patient – Individual Results May Vary
Fact: Treating the cause of varicose vein disease can entail closing off the faulty vein. There are many veins in the leg. After varicose vein treatments, the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to healthy veins in order to make its way back to the heart. Circulatory problems are not a result.
Dr. Wright’s vein treatment results are undeniable, check out his before and after pictures.
