WHAT CAUSES SWOLLEN LEGS?
Edema (leg swelling) is caused by the buildup of extra fluid in the veins. It can be caused by a variety of conditions including venous insufficiency. It’s important to consider the different causes before completing vein treatment. Your phlebologist will need to consider other conditions including:
- Hypertension
- Heart failure
- Liver or kidney disease
- Medications
- Lymphatic dysfunction
- Blood clots
If your leg swelling is related to any one of the above conditions, it is unlikely to have significant improvement in swelling with vein treatment alone. You will be advised to seek consultation with your primary care physician or specialist for additional measures.
A diagnostic ultrasound performed at the varicose vein treatment center will evaluate for venous insufficiency and what relationship exists between varicose veins and swelling.
Varicose Vein Treatment
Fixing varicose veins due to venous insufficiency requires treatment of the underlying dysfunctional vein. In the past, this was done surgically, however the gold standard of treatment has changed. Modern vein treatments are minimally-invasive and accomplished with tiny catheters that can deliver heat therapy or a medical adhesive to collapse the diseased vein. With treatment, blood flow is rerouted to healthy veins for improved circulation. In the right patient, this reduces symptoms of varicose veins including leg edema.
The most common vein therapies today are customized to the patient’s condition and preferences. Popular treatments include sclerotherapy, RF vein ablation, and VenaSeal.
At the Vein Specialist Centers in Clifton, our vein doctors are trained experts in the use of minimally-invasive techniques for spider and varicose veins. All doctors are board-certified specialists with formal training in vascular procedures.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are one of the most common causes of leg swelling. Most varicose vein problems arise when the valves in the leg veins become dysfunctional and fail to keep the blood moving. This condition is referred to as venous insufficiency and results in elevated pressures in the legs (venous hypertension). As the pressure rises, the legs develop engorged and twisted varicose veins on the surface of the skin. The same elevated pressures in the legs can also result in leg swelling. The typical symptoms of varicose veins include heaviness, cramps or aches, leg pain and restless legs. The swelling associated with varicose veins is not acute and develops slowly over time. This is different then blood clots or DVT which often occur suddenly and are associated with acute swelling, pain, and discoloration.
Vein Specialist Centers
If you have leg swelling and symptoms or signs of vein disease, talk to a vein specialist today. The most important thing is finding a qualified specialist who listens to your concerns, patiently answers questions, and thoroughly explains what varicose vein treatment will do for you!
The Vein Specialist Centers are a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment center for spider and varicose veins.
The Vein Specialist Centers in Clifton NJ is led by Dr Faisal Siddiqi and Dr Simon Smith.
