Varicose veins and their underlying cause, known as venous reflux disease, are the most common circulatory problems that affect individuals of all ages. These conditions are twice as common as coronary heart disease.
They occur when vein valves in the legs become damaged, causing abnormal blood flow in the affected veins. Consequently, blood is allowed to pool in the lower legs.
This causes a variety of symptoms such as leg pain, leg swelling, heaviness and fatigue, and skin itching. It also causes the appearance of unsightly varicose and spider veins.
People who have occupations that require standing, such as casino employees, food servers, schoolteachers, and many other similar jobs are especially prone to these problems. In addition, people who have a family history of varicose veins, who are overweight, or who have been pregnant are at risk.
Venous reflux disease and varicose veins become more common with age. Existing varicose veins can also become more prominent or symptomatic as individuals get older.
In more severe cases, people with long standing varicose veins and chronic leg swelling can develop permanent loss of integrity and discoloration of the skin, leg wounds and blood clots.
The good news is that modern vein care allows for treatment of many of these problems in a far less invasive way than in the past. Hospitalization and painful vein stripping surgery are usually not necessary.
One of the advancements in vein care is the Closure® Procedure. This procedure treats varicose veins at their underlying source, by eliminating reflux.
The Closure Procedure has greatly improved the way that we treat patients with varicose veins and venous reflux disease. It is performed in a comfortable office setting. General anesthesia is not necessary.
The whole procedure is guided by ultrasound, therefore, incisions and sutures are usually not needed. That means less pain and faster recovery for our patients.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes to perform and is over 95 percent successful in eliminate venous reflux, which is the cause of most varicose veins. We have now performed hundreds of these procedures and results have been excellent.
One of the significant advantages to seeing a vascular surgeon for vein care is that we treat the full spectrum of vascular diseases, from routine to very complicated ones.
We have experience with conventional open surgery, and are certainly prepared to do that when necessary. However, more and more we are able to treat our patients with minimally invasive procedures. This is especially true for varicose veins and venous reflux.
—Dr. Jeffrey Gosin, South Jersey Vascular Center, has his office at 442 Bethel Road, Somers Point.
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