About Varicose Veins – Overview and Treament

Questions about varicose veins are popular, to say the least, at our Chicago Vein treatment center. Questions from patients often revolve around what is causing the ugly, enlarged veins and what can be done to treat them.
Every so often, a brief overview of the anatomy of the veins helps patients better understand the factors that contribute to varicose veins forming in the legs and other areas of the body.

In this short varicose veins post, we go over concepts like the formation of varicose veins, where they come from, and how they can be treated with modern, minimally-invasive vein treatment options in Chicago at Chicago Vein Institute.

What do the veins do for you and your body?

The veins make up a complex network of blood passages called vessels. Specifically, your veins are responsible for carrying deoxygenated (oxygen has been used and depleted) blood from the rest of your body to the heart for the refill of oxygen and nutrients.
Veins have specifically one-way flaps that avoid the blood from flowing backward (gravity, anyone?) as it moves up from the lower regions of your body such as your legs. If these valves become weak, blood can leak back into your veins. This situation is referred to as venous insufficiency or chronic venous insufficiency, depending on the time frame.

When backed-up blood accumulates, varicose veins appear.

So which conditions can cause your veins to weakened or change structures? By and large, the following factors increase your risk of venous insufficiency, thus resulting in the appearance of varicose veins:

• Increasing age
• Family history
• Being female due to pregnancy, menopause, puberty, use of birth control pills, or
• any conditions/circumstances that alter hormone levels
• Obesity or excess weight
• Lack of movement (sedentary lifestyle)

Expert varicose vein information and treatment from vein doctors in Chicago at Chicago Vein Institute

Chicago Vein Institute, also known as CVI, is a vein practice in Chicago solely dedicated to diagnosing and treating vein diseases. The experts at Chicago Vein Institute perform the latest, least-invasive, and most effective treatments for painful varicose veins, spider veins, and other vein-related disorders.

Learn more about the services we offer by calling our North Center location at 773-231-9884 or by filling out one of the easy web forms throughout our website.