Most men in Minnesota think varicose veins are a problem for women and that it’s not a big deal. The reality is that one of every two men suffer from varicose veins, according to British research.

Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic concern—they can lead to more serious health problems. Varicose veins usually happen in the lower extremities. It causes skin hyperpigmentation related to skin malnutrition, stasis dermatitis, edema, bleeding and ulceration above the ankles. The affected legs are prone to develop secondary bacterial infection.

If you have noticed the ballooned veins in your legs, the good news is that treatment of varicose veins has advanced significantly. Today, doctors in Minneapolis and St Paul use lasers to seal off large varicose veins or sclerotherapy for mild cases. It is a quick, minimal invasive, outpatient procedure that is also pain-free.

This blog talks about the anatomy of veins in the legs, the purpose of blog is to educate the patients with varicose veins in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas.

All of the veins in the body are either part of the superficial venous system or the deep venous system. The superficial veins serve as a conduit to pass blood centrally and eventually into the deep venous system. The principal named superficial veins of the lower extremity are the small saphenous vein (SSV), which usually runs from ankle to knee, and the great saphenous vein (GSV), which usually runs from ankle to groin.

Many superficial collecting veins deliver their blood into the great and small saphenous veins, which deliver most of their blood into the deep system. Superficial veins are also connected to a variable number of perforating veins that pass through openings in the deep fascia to join directly with the deep veins of the calf or thigh.

All venous blood is eventually received by the deep venous system on its way back to the right atrium of the heart. The principal deep venous trunk of the leg is called the popliteal vein from below the knee until it passes upward into the distal thigh, where it is called the femoral vein (FV) for the remainder of its course in the thigh. They are one and the same, and this is the largest and longest deep vein of the lower extremity.

It has been known in Minnesota that varicose veins in the legs are caused by weakening of the veins and valves in the great saphenous veins and/or small saphenous veins. When the valves in these veins do not properly keep blood flowing from the legs up to the heart, blood begins to collect in the legs resulting in the buildup of pressure. The veins become enlarged and knotted and are visible near the surface of the skin.

In the previous blog, we discussed the mechanism of varicose veins in Minnesotan patients. Correct functioning of the venous system depends on a complex series of valves. Varicose veins develop slowly when the frail valves of veins are dysfunctional.

There are many factors that aggravate the varicose veins. Most of them are reversible, meaning the varicose veins won’t develop or improve if we avoid these aggravating factors.

We can’t stop the aging process. Generally, most elderly individuals show some degree of varicose vein occurrence.

Prolonged standing can be avoided. If your job requires prolonged standing, you may want to consider wearing compression stockings.

Pregnancy can aggravate varicose veins through 3 mechanisms. 1. Pressure on the veins by the weight of the growing uterus; 2. Increased blood volume; 3. The relaxation effects of the hormones estrogen and progesterone on the vein walls.

Obesity is another reversible factor; loss of weight may help to improve varicose veins.

Straining due to chronic medical problems such as chronic constipation aggravates varicose veins. Actively managing the constipation may improve varicose veins, so is hemorrhoid.

If you just start developing the varicose vein and spider veins, especially you have symptoms such as pain and discomfort, you should wear compression stocking every day. In the meantime, you should seek the consultation with vein specialist and medical treatments as early as possible.

In Minnesota alone, about 19% of men and 36% of women have varicose veins. It most often occurs in the veins in the legs and thighs. Varicose veins tend to be inherited, and become more prominent as a person ages.

Veins returns blood from the periphery of the body back to the heart and lungs. Unlike arteries with thick walls, most veins are very thin and easily dilatable, so the peripheral venous system also functions as a reservoir to hold extra blood. You could say that the venous system is almost magical in its function when you are told that the entire cardiac output volume of 5–10 L/min is received into periphery venous system for eventual delivery back to the heart and lungs.

There are two types of veins, deep and superficial. The superficial veins and their branches are close to the skin; the deep veins are encased by muscle and connective tissue, which help to pump the blood in the veins and back to the heart. Generally, blood travels from the superficial veins to the deep veins. The communicator or perforator veins connect the superficial veins with the deep veins.

The veins have one-way valves to prevent them from backward flow. The correct functioning of the venous system depends on a complex series of valves. Varicose veins develop slowly and become abnormally thick, twisting or dilated over the time when the frail valves of veins are dysfunctional.

It is not clear what exactly causes the venous valves to work less efficiently. Some theories suggest inherited valve problems or abnormalities of the vein wall, causing some patients to have too few valves or have the valves that do not function properly. The result is that when a person with poorly functioning valves stands up, the valves leak and blood flow actually reverses.

Varicose vein treatment in Minnesota include the sclerotherapy (injection), mini vein stripping, and laser treatment, known as endovenous laser ablation (EVLA); fine spider veins can be treated with an external laser. One Stop Medical Center offers one stop vein care with the above treatment options for the people living in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas.

There is probably nothing more frustrating than unsightly varicose veins nowadays. More and more men and women in Minnesota are concerned with venous diseases, such as varicose veins, spider veins and hemorrhoids. Females are three times more likely to suffer from varicose veins than men since one of the biggest risk factors is pregnancy.

We are able to identify many risk factors related to varicose veins, but we don’t know the exact mechanism of varicose vein diseases. Hereditary, along with the pregnancy, aging, lack of exercise, long standing and overweight are common risk factors in Minneapolis and St. Paul areas.

Humans have valves inside our veins that help blood toward the heart. In varicose veins, the valves do not work correctly, and some of the blood does not leave the veins. The blood builds up inside of the veins and causes the veins to become enlarged. Research showed that nearly half of all varicose veins contain the exact same kind of bacteria that causes teeth (periodontal) disease. These bacteria can damage the valves and cause them to lose their seal-making ability across the vein.

The treatment of varicose veins include endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), sclerotherapy, and mini phlebectomy. Spider veins can be removed with sclerotherapy and external lasers.

Endovenous laser ablation uses a laser fiber to insert through the skin directly into the vein. The laser heats up the lining of the vein causing it to shrink and fade away. Sclerotherapy is a procedure that uses tiny needles to inject the veins with a chemical sclerant to harden the veins and help them fade away. Mini phlebectomy may be used in conjunction with other therapies to treat varicose veins. Tiny incisions are made into the skin and superficial veins are removed using vein hooks.

Rejuvevein Supplement
We recommend our Rejuvevein supplement from One Stop Medical Center to help with any sort of venous disease. The supplement contains well-researched, citrus-based flavonoids in a unique micronized form for enhanced absorption and bioavailability. Research suggests that these compounds support healthy veins, capillaries, and blood flow; promote healthy lymphatic drainage; and enhance antioxidant activity and the body’s normal response to inflammation. It is a great product for those with spider veins, varicose veins, hemorrhoids or those who want to help prevent these conditions. More recent research supports a role for the components of Rejuvevein in maintaining blood glucose levels already within the normal range and, as a result, healthy kidney structure and function.

• Great for those with or want to prevent varicose veins, spider veins, and hemorrhoids,
• Supports Veins, Capillaries, and Circulation
• Helps Promote Normal Lymphatic Drainage
• Supports Antioxidant Activity and the Body’s Normal Response to Inflammation
• Supports Blood Glucose Levels Already Within the Normal Range