At The Vein Center of Longview Regional, we understand how painful and limited life can be for those who suffer from venous disease. And when left untreated, symptoms such as pain, swelling, heaviness or restlessness can eventually lead to blood clots, skin ulcerations, and other serious complications.
Fortunately, vein specialists Jonathan Greifenkamp, M.D., and Samir Germanwala, D.O., who are board-certified in interventional cardiology, can put an end to this discomfort. By offering a new, minimally invasive technology, patients can now get back to their lives without the pain of traditional treatments. It’s simple, effective, and is even covered by most insurance, including Medicare. Call us today for a consultation at (903) 232-3742.
Our vein center provides care that is tailored to each patient’s individual needs. Most of all, we’re dedicated to giving patients the care they need to have legs that not only feel better, but look better, too. Restoring legs to their healthy, pain-free state is what we do with pride.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged “rope-like” veins – blood vessels that are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They can be flesh-colored, dark purple or blue and often look like a cluster of grapes. They are commonly found on the back of the calves or the inside of the legs. However, they can form anywhere on the legs, from groin to ankle.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins result from abnormal inner walls or abnormal valves in these blood vessels. Blood is carried through arteries from the heart to the rest of the body and returned to the heart through the body’s veins, called the venous system.
Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps, preventing blood from backing up and pooling. When these one-way valves don’t work properly, blood may flow backwards, causing the veins to dilate (enlarge) and become varicose. The technical terms for this condition are venous reflux or venous insufficiency.
How common are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are very common. Millions of Americans suffer from disease of the veins. Varicose veins are more prominent in women, but approximately 15 to 20 percent of men suffer from some form of vein problems as well. Varicose veins affect one out of every two people over the age of 50.
What are the risk factors for varicose veins?
- Increasing age
- Family History
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing
- Prior deep venous thrombosis
What are the signs and symptoms of varicose veins?
In many cases, varicose and spider veins cause no symptoms. However, these veins are often unattractive and may become painful. Prolonged sitting or standing tends to make legs with varicose veins feel worse. Some common symptoms of them include:
- Aching pain
- Burning
- Easily tired legs
- Leg heaviness
- Rash on the legs
- Itching
- Leg swelling
- Numbness in the legs
- Darkening of the skin
- Skin ulcers
When to seek medical advice?
Self-help measures can help ease the pain of varicose veins and may prevent them from getting worse. But if the way they look and feel becomes a concern or if self-help measures are not successful, then it’s time to see a physician.
Meet Our Vein Center Physicians
Our physicians are board certified interventional cardiologists.
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Samir Germanwala, DO
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Jonathan Greifenkamp, MD
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How are varicose veins treated?
Several options are available for the treatment of venous reflux (backflow) and varicose veins. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. After your consultation and ultrasound evaluation, a physician will recommend the best plan of treatment for your medical needs.
Sclerotherapy
A “sclerosing” solution is injected into the vein that cause the vein wall to swell, stick together, and seal shut. This process stops the flow of blood, and the vein turns into scar tissue. In a few weeks, the vein should fade. The same vein may need to be treated more than once.
Most patients can expect improvement after treatment. Sclerotherapy treatments do not eliminate diseased veins after one single treatment. Patients need to be compliant with the number of sessions that are recommended to obtain the best results.
Endovenous Therapy
The minimally-invasive endovenous approach constitutes a great advance for treating the deeper vein of the leg, the saphenous vein, when it does not function normally and causes varicose veins. This new method has replaced traditional stripping surgery for the vast majority of patients with severe varicose veins in the leg.
The therapy is called endovenous because it is performed within the vein itself, by means of a catheter – a very thin, flexible tube. Once inside, the catheter sends out radiofrequency or laser energy that damages, shrinks and seals the vein wall.
Veins on the surface of the skin that are connected to the treated saphenous vein are then removed with a technique called micro-phlebectomy. Healthy veins around the closed vein restore the normal flow of blood in the leg. As this happens, symptoms from the varicose veins improve.
The procedure is done in our office with local anesthesia. Patients are able to walk immediately after it is done, and generally return to normal activity in a couple of days. Endovenous treatment of varicose veins has been used for several years with excellent results.
What should I expect after the endovenous procedure?
After the procedure you will wear a special support stocking for two weeks. There will be some bruising, which is normal, and will completely resolve in 4-6 weeks. You may also experience some mild discomfort, tingling and/or tightness in the treated leg, which should go away in one to two weeks.
Does my insurance cover treatment?
Most insurance companies cover treatments for varicose veins that are medically necessary, and in cases when conservative therapy with “compression” stockings has failed. Any treatment for cosmetic reasons, including sclerotherapy, is not usually covered.
Schedule a consult today!
The Vein Center of Longview Regional
709 Hollybrook Drive
Medical Park Tower, Ground Floor
Longview, TX 75605
903-232-3743
Related Resources:
www.bestveincare.com
www.vnus.com