An estimated 30-60% of adults suffer from vein diseases and the incidence increases with age.

Factors associated with the development of vein diseases include:

Heredity
Pregnancy
Prolonged standing or sitting
Obesity
Hormonal therapy including birth control pills
Chronic constipation

Probably, there are multiple factors which contribute to vein diseases, heredity being the most important.

Leg pain, soreness, aching, throbbing, muscle fatigue, and swelling, are often symptoms of vein diseases. The affected varicose veins appear like blue ropes under the skin.
At times the affected veins appear like small blue or red lines on the skin. Sometimes these look like spiders within the skin.

Over time, if untreated, vein diseases may result in changes of the skin color, ulcers, bleeding, swelling and blood clots.

The major factor which produces vein diseases is venous insufficiency and reflux. Under normal conditions, blood in the legs always flows upstream towards the heart. When veins or their valves are diseased, they allow blood with its accompanying high pressure, to reflux back into the legs. This increased amount of blood causes the symptoms of pain, soreness, aching, etc. The modern solution is to interrupt the site of reflux and direct the blood to healthy veins.

Spider veins are the most superficial manifestation of vein diseases. Often, each spider vein has a feeding vein, unseen, which transmits higher than normal pressures, and makes the visible. The feeding vein must be interrupted to treat the cause of the spider vein.

In the past the only treatment available was the stripping of the varicose veins. Today, new techniques allow for the exact diagnosis and treatment.

At VEIN CENTER HOUSTON each patient undergoes a physical examination to assess the symptoms and the underlying problem. If indicated by the initial evaluation, painless, non invasive tests are available in our office.

The ULTRASOUND examination provides an accurate road map to guide the treatment decisions.

Sclerotherapy remains the mainstay of eliminating spider veins and certain varicose veins. A tiny needle is used to inject the vein, causing irritation and closure. There is little discomfort associated with the injection. Several treatments may be needed over the course of several weeks. Traditional, Ultrasound guided, and Foam Sclerotherapy are used to achieve maximum benefit.

This procedure is ideal for the treatment of clusters of veins, and for residual veins after other treatments. The removal of the veins is done using local anesthesia, through needle size incisions. We recommend the use of elastic compression hose after the treatment.

This most modern technique treats the usual cause of varicose veins; the diseased major veins of the legs. Using local anesthesia, under guidance from our ultrasound, a small fiber is threaded in the vein. As the fiber is removed, Laser energy is delivered causing the shrinkage and closure of the vein. In adequately selected patients, the success is over 95%. There is little down time. We recommend the use of elastic compression hose for approximately a week. Usual activities may be resumed the next day.

In this technique, using local anesthesia, and under ultrasound guidance, a small catheter is inserted into the vein. When activated, the Radio Frequency energy closes the vein as the catheter is withdrawn. In selected patients, Radio Frequency produces optimal results.

Occasionally, ligation or stripping may be necessary, although it is rare.