Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged, bumpy, and discolored veins that show up near the surface of your skin. Varicose veins usually appear due to weakened veins and valves in your legs and feet. When your veins and valves don’t function properly, it can cause blood to flow in the wrong direction.

With varicose veins, you might have itching or burning skin, aching, ulcers, and cramps and swelling.

When your veins are no longer able to carry your old and used blood back up from your legs properly, you have a medical condition called venous reflux disease (chronic venous insufficiency).

What are the risk factors for varicose veins?

A number of factors can increase your risk of developing varicose veins, such as:

• Prolonged standing
• Aging
• Excess body weight
• Inactivity
• Heavy lifting
• Overexertion
• Being female
• Family history and genetics
• Multiple pregnancies 

In rare cases, some medical conditions can lead to varicose veins, such as a blood clot, abnormal blood vessels, and a tumor or swelling in the pelvis. If varicose veins aren’t treated properly, they can lead to complications like a spontaneous venous rupture.

What is the treatment for varicose veins?

Dr. Gioscia starts by evaluating your arterial and venous system and provides in-house ultrasounds and other testing if needed. He offers a wide spectrum of effective treatments for varicose veins.

Dr. Gioscia might suggest you manage your stress and sleep, wear a compression stocking, lose weight, consume a nutrient-dense diet, start a new exercise routine, or use physical therapy and other treatment modalities to boost your overall health. Most in-office treatments involve closing off or sealing a segment of your unwanted vein.

To treat your varicose veins, Dr. Gioscia utilizes minimally invasive techniques that seal the vein closed (Ablation) rather than having to strip or remove the vessel. The ablation procedures are performed under a local anesthetic through needle punctures rather than incisions. 

These may include one of the following options:

• Radiofrequency Ablation
• ClariVein®
• VenaSeal
• Micro-Incision/ Needle Phlebectomy
• Sclerotherapy

VenaSeal

VenaSeal™ involves an advanced formulated medical adhesive that closes your vein. During the procedure, Dr. Gioscia carefully uses ultrasound guidance, a catheter, a special syringe, and the medical adhesive to close your diseased vein. 

Dr. Gioscia places the catheter in specific areas along your diseased vein, delivers the medical adhesive, and applies compression to your leg in a strategic process.

Sclerotherapy

With sclerotherapy (chemical ablation), Dr. Gioscia injects a special liquid or foam solution to close the veins.

Explore your many treatment options for varicose veins and put yourself first, call Vein Institute of Westchester or schedule via the web.