Veins, acting as “pipes,” have to frequently work against gravity to push blood back towards the heart especially when we sit or stand. These veins have valves that assist in the one-way flow back to the heart. Further, leg muscles especially calf muscles act like a pump much like a sump pump in our basement.

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Over time, compounded by factors such as genetic predisposition, pregnancies, hormonal changes, prolonged sitting or standing, lifting weights, and age, some veins fail. Unable to move forward, blood begins to backtrack and pool in the legs causing the familiar symptoms of heaviness, achiness, and tiredness in legs, particularly in the evenings. Increased pressure on the vein walls makes them “gnarly” or varicose. Some veins that are close to the surface of the skin can be seen from the outside as ropy veins or spider veins.

Venous hypertension (increased pressure of the blood in failed veins) predisposes you to profuse bleeding. Elevated pressure causes fluid from veins to leak out into surrounding space much like flooding in our basement when a pipe breaks.

Remember that the blood in veins is deoxygenated (has “low” oxygen content) and replete with waste products. This blood needs to be sent back to the heart where it can be enriched and put back in circulation. When there is an increased buildup of venous blood in the legs, patients may notice itching, burning, leg cramps (charley horses), and restlessness. Persistent stasis (pooling) causes hyperpigmentation (discoloration of the skin due to deposition of the hemosiderin pigment from the breakdown of red blood cells), cellulitis (skin infection), thrombosis (blood clots), and poorly healing ulcers (sores) in the legs. This is comparable to staining on the walls from leaky pipes, growth of mold, cracks in the walls, and eventually its breakdown.

These unhealthy veins in the legs are unnecessary. In the past, they were removed surgically. Modern treatment options are much easier, safer, and very effective with no downtime. Almost all insurance including Medicare offers coverage for symptomatic varicose veins. Contact Alsara Vein Clinic at 816-396-0245 to set up a Consultation today.