Men and Varicose Veins…are you familiar? Probably not, because varicose veins are typically known as a medical issue that plagues middle-aged to mature women. However, experts agree that while more women are diagnosed with varicose veins, it’s likely just as common for men to have them, but that men are a lot less likely to be seek medical attention for it.
About 1 in 4 men will suffer from varicose veins at some point in their lives. Varicose veins are mostly hereditary, triggered by blood pooling in the veins of your legs – so those with occupations in which a lot of time is spent on their feet have a higher chance of developing this vein disease. Spending too much time sitting at a desk will raise your chances as well. The best ways to avoid varicose veins are exercising, reducing standing or sitting pressure, compression hose, and avoiding foods high in sodium since salt leads to retention.
If, however, your precautions don’t keep the spider veins at bay, or your hereditary predisposition is just too strong, don’t panic! Pacific Vein Care has revolutionary treatment options for your varicose veins:
- Ambulatory Plebectomy – a minor surgical procedure which allows for the removal of large surface varicose veins through very small incisions that need no stitches. The procedure is normally done in our office using a superficial local anesthetic.
- Compression Therapy – a common form of treatment which utilizes compression stockings over a period of time. These stockings squeeze the leg and allow the valves to be closer together and function properly. This helps the blood flow more normal and your legs respond accordingly.
- Endovenus Ablation – a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency or laser energy to cauterize and close varicose veins. Our patients are fully awake for this procedure and it is performed in our office.
- Sclerotherapy – a technique which was developed in the 1950s and 60s to treat veins. It involves the use of an extremely fine needle to inject a tiny amount of a dilute solution (sclerosant) directly into the larger veins. The solution causes the lining of the vein to swell, eventually sealing off the blood vessels and preventing blood flow. At Pacific Vein Care, we use polidocanol as our sclerosant of choice because it is painless and effective.
So remember: varicose veins are not just a cosmetic issue. If left untreated they can lead to larger complications, like bleeding and skin damage. If you are a man with varicose veins, don’t hesitate. Contact Pacific Vein Care and be on your way to healthy legs for life!