Veins Disease Myths
Myth: Varicose vein disease affects only old people
Fact: Varicose vein disease can be genetic, and many younger people some in their late 20s may be affected. Heredity may be the most important factor, so if your parents and grandparents have the problem you are at increased risk. Other factors include gender, age, pregnancy, weight gain, physical trauma, frequently standing too long over a period of years.
Myth: Varicose vein disease affects only women
Fact: Women have a higher incidence of vein reflux disease due in part to the female hormones affecting the vein walls especially during pregnancy. But 25% of men may also develop varicose vein disease.
Myth: Spider veins = varicose veins
Fact: Though often lumped together, spider veins are very different from varicose vein disease in terms of cause, appearance and medical implications. Spider veins are tiny, dilated blood vessels that appear just below the skin’s surface, typically on the face, neck, chest and legs. Spider veins are very common, but are mostly a cosmetic.
Myth: People seek cures for varicose vein disease merely because of vanity
Fact: Varicose vein disease can cause swelling and cramps that result in patients feeling tiredness, heaviness in the leg, as well as pain, aching or burning sensations. This is a real disease, involving reflux of the greater saphenous vein, that can have long-term consequences if not treated, including eczema, pigmentation, skin ulcerations and bleeding.
Myth: The only treatment for varicose vein disease is painful and puts people out of commission for two weeks
Fact: EVLT® (Endovenous Laser Treatment) has been proven to be safe, effective and relatively pain free, with patients experiencing only minimal discomfort after the procedure and quick recovery times. It is an outpatient or in-office procedure that is completed in under an hour and allows the patient to walk out and resume normal activity the same or following day.
Myth: All laser-based veins treatments are the same
Fact: External lasers are used to treat spider veins for cosmetic purposes, but cannot treat and cure the cause of varicose vein disease. EVLT has been shown to offer *98 percent success at one month follow-up and 93.4 percent at two-year follow-up.
Myth: There are going to be marks after undergoing the procedure
Fact: EVLT patients are less likely to suffer short-term bruising or long-term scarring compared to surgical ligation and stripping or other invasive treatments.
Myth: Closing off a major vein can cause circulatory problems later on
Fact: Treating the cause of varicose vein disease can entail closing off the faulty vein. There are many veins in the leg and after treatment the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to healthy veins in order to make its way back to the heart.
