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Vascular Surgery - May '07
Non-invasive Testing Can Help Diagnose Vericose Veins
Fran Miller, RN
Varicose veins are not only a cosmetic concern – they are also a medical condition. At The University of Toledo Medical Center, vascular surgeons and vascular laboratory staff work together to diagnose and properly treat varicose veins.
While arteries carry blood away from the heart, veins are responsible for bringing it back. When returning blood from the legs, veins must work against gravity and carry blood up the legs. To accomplish this feat, tiny valves within veins open to allow blood to pass through and then close, preventing blood from flowing backward, which would cause high pressure in the veins.
“The best way to describe varicose veins is that the valves that allow blood through the legs and up to the heart do not close tight and blood gets backed up in the veins causing bulging,” says Fran Miller, RN, at UT Medical Center.
Risk factors and symptoms
Risk factors for the condition include aging, being female, family health history, obesity and standing for long periods of time. Symptoms include a heavy or achy feeling in the legs, swelling, itchy veins and skin ulcers near the ankle. “A lot of times a patient will say he or she is on their legs all day and then they experience swelling when they go home,” says Ms. Miller. “Many people who come for treatment have reached the point where the pain is continuously bothersome and swelling does not go down.”
Diagnosis procedure is non-invasive
The condition is typically diagnosed clinically and through ultrasound, which is a non-invasive test. “The ultrasound can determine if valves work properly,” Ms. Miller says. “We also test to make sure there are no other problems such as blocked deep veins. It is a simple test that takes only about a half hour to an hour, depending upon the patient.”
Several options for treatment are available
Treatment for varicose veins varies, depending upon the severity of the condition. “If the condition is mild and it does not infringe on their activities, patients can opt to do nothing,” says Ms. Miller. “With most cases of varicose veins, we recommend the patient wears firm-fitting elastic stockings. Other options are available for those who do not improve with elastic stockings.” The vascular surgeons at UT Medical Center can perform all such procedures. These include injection of material to block veins called sclerotherapy, minimally invasive obliterations with laser or radiofrequency or surgical removal.
Before surgical options are explored, patients usually try other treatments to meet insurance company requirements. “Some insurance companies require patients to try compression stockings first and others require pictures,” says Ms. Miller.
At the UT Medical Center, physicians and staff encourage people to seek medical attention for varicose vein symptoms. “If a person has pain and swelling or cramping, the individual should see his or her primary care doctor,” Ms. Miller says. “Veins can cause a lot of problems, so it’s worth checking them out.”
To schedule an appointment with one of our university-quality physicians, please call 877-451-2299.
