Understanding the cause, symptoms and treatment of varicose veins is critical to the process of treating the problem. The staff at Centers for Advanced Vein Care Montana (CAVC) believes that patient education is the first step in helping them seek and obtain professional treatment for their problem. Given this fact, it is extremely important that the patient understand the facts regarding varicose and spider veins. In general, varicose veins are typically swollen veins that present in the legs, ankles and feet of a patient. A condition called venous reflux, or alternatively, venous insufficiency, whereby blood that circulates through the lower limbs fails to properly return to the heart, but rather pools up in the distended and bulging veins.
It is conservatively estimated that over 25 million people living in America suffer from venous insufficiency. Common symptoms of venous insufficiency include:
1) swollen ankles;
2) swollen calves;
3) pain in the legs;
4) fatigue in the legs;
5) skin discoloration;
6) presentation of leg ulcers;
7) burning skin; and
8) itching skin.
At CAVC, Dr. Orcutt, a board certified vascular surgeon, provides varicose vein surgery to correct these issues and problems.
Although varicose and spider veins occur at varying ages and irrespective of gender, both gender and age are risk factors associated with the development of venous reflux and venous insufficiency. Estimates of the prevalence of venous insufficiency are that over 70% of American women and over 40% of men experience symptoms created by varicose veins by the time they reach age sixty. Additionally, women who have had more than one pregnancy and individuals who suffer from obesity, have an increased risk of experiencing symptoms from varicose veins. Moreover, absent treatment or varicose veins removal, the vein disease will progressively worsen.
