Top Questions

If you have pain, swelling, or heaviness in your legs, ankles, or pelvis, you may have varicose veins (venous insufficiency). Typically, varicose vein patients also suffer from pain while standing or walking for long periods of time. Venous insufficiency is a disease and should be treated by professionals who specialize in comprehensive varicose vein management, including diagnosis and treatment.

Insurance will cover most procedures we offer. If there is a question about coverage, our staff will determine if your insurance will approve the expenses. If your insurance does not cover a procedure, payment options can be arranged to meet your individual needs.

Cases of varicose veins and the need for immediate treatment fluctuate on an individual level. In order to properly discern the needs of the patients, our doctors perform a physical examination and ultrasound evaluation to better evaluate the severity of  varicose veins. During the exam they will look for vein dysfunction, skin change, and discoloration. The doctors use the examination to better evaluate the current situation with the patient’s varicose veins, and will look for twisting, bloating, and discoloration of the skin. It is also customary to review the patient’s medical history; it can help the doctors know why the varicose veins have developed, and also alert them to possible dangers, such as the possibility of ulcers or blood clots.

A good vein is one that is able to do its job of transferring the blood back to your heart. You cannot normally see them, and they do not cause any issues to the surrounding tissue.
A bad will normally struggle to get the blood back to the heart, usually because the valves are damaged, stopping or reversing the normal flow.  This backflow can cause swelling, discoloration and pain. These visible signs are a good indicator that the veins are damaged. Along with the visible signs it is normal to experience itching dryness and pain around the area of the affected vein.

No. It is possible that varicose veins may develop in deeper regions of the venous system (the vein network). When this happens it is possible that you will be unable to see the vein itself from the surface of the skin, however, symptoms similar to the surface veins will usually occur as well. These symptoms may include restless legs, dryness, itchiness, and other related issues. Most cases of varicose veins that happen in a deeper region have happened in the leg or pelvic regions. If you are experiencing symptoms in your leg or pelvic regions, but do not see visible varicose veins, we recommend that you come in and see one of our varicose vein and vascular specialists. They can help you determine if your symptoms are associated with varicose veins and help you get properly treated.

After the varicose vein is treated the blood that was going through that vein is automatically diverted by your body to move through other parts of your venous system. No blood is lost. You have many more veins than you realize and the treatment of varicose and damaged veins will actually help your blood flow more quickly, as energy and attention is no longer being diverted to the previously damaged vein.

Yes. Varicose veins can develop in the pelvic region. Are you having symptoms that are commonly related to varicose veins, such as irritated skin, restlessness in your muscles, and even pain or cramps? If there are no signs of a twisted or bloated vein, it is possible that the varicose vein has developed deeper within the venous system, and so is not visible on the surface level. At Red Sands Vein and Vascular Specialists we can help you determine if your pelvic pain is related to varicose veins. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

This is a question that needs to be answered on an individual basis.

While in most cases it is usually advised to wait until after childbirth, and the subsequent recovery period, to have varicose veins treated, there are some cases where treating varicose veins during pregnancy may be advisable. Some of these factors are the possibility and likelihood of developing blood clots, or of severe bleeding.

Varicose veins are a common condition during pregnancy, and can potentially become more pronounced as it progresses. Subsequent pregnancies can also exacerbate the condition. If relief from varicose related symptoms is needed during pregnancy it is possible to alleviate some of them without invasive treatment. These methods are usually very conservative so as to protect both the mother and the developing fetus, and include simple things like wearing compression socks and keeping the legs elevated as much as possible.

In all cases where varicose veins and pregnancy occur at the same time it is a good idea to meet with a varicose vein specialist. By doing so patients can have a better understanding of the state of their condition, and also the subsequent options for treatment and when to have it.

When blood collects within the vein it causes it to do things like twist and bloat. Both of these pull abnormally at the flesh around the vein, which causes the itchiness and irritation. Swelling may also occur, and that may cause increased pressure on nerves and other veins. This can cause mild to extreme discomfort depending on how bad the condition is. Symptoms commonly associated with varicose veins are itchiness, dry skin, dull or stabbing pain, a feeling of “heaviness” in the legs, discoloration of the affected area, heightened sensitivity to the touch, and many other unpleasant sensations. If you are experiencing symptoms related to varicose veins it is recommended that you meet with a vein specialist. They can help you identify the underlying cause of the condition and help you get proper treatment.

Varicose veins are a result of various life-style choices, genetics, and environmental factors. While there is no sure way to prevent them from happening, there are things that you can do that will help lower the risk of them developing.

• Live healthy.
  • Being active, consuming good foods like fruits and vegetables, maintaining a safe weight and body fat balance, getting sufficient sleep, all of these help the body stay in a state where problems like varicose veins are less likely to occur.
• Exercise.
  • Movement is key in helping the heart and venous system function properly. Our muscles, especially our leg muscles, help the veins push the blood along its path back to the heart as they move. By making sure to have movement in your daily routine you can help your veins stay healthy.
• Elevating the feet.
  • Our legs support our body weight when we are standing and sitting. Increasing, or constant pressure on the veins is a common factor in the development of varicose veins. By elevating our legs when we are sitting or laying down, it helps take the pressure off of them. Less pressure on our legs means less pressure on the veins in our legs, and a lesser chance of the pressure doing harm.