You must have come across a relative, friend, or colleague talking at length about the apparent cosmetic vanity behind pursuing vein treatments, or their futility due to quick recurrences. Vein procedures often have a variety of associated myths that can cloud your judgment. Dr. Moore and his team of vascular experts at Novant Health Vein Specialists, one of the foremost NC vein treatment centers, help you make an informed decision by separating fact from fiction.

Myth: Varicose veins are a purely cosmetic issue and pose no serious threat to health.

This widespread myth can be increasingly dangerous to a patient’s long term well-being. Varicose veins can evolve into a very painful ordeal for the patient if left untreated in the long term. Such a condition might lead to leg swelling, dangerous blood clots, skin inflammation, and even ulceration. In a progressively more serious form of the disease known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), it may eventually lead to persistent damage to important organs. Since it poses such potential health problems, vein treatments for such conditions are covered by most insurance providers in NC. This is contrary to spider vein treatment procedures, which in most cases are a cosmetic issue and are hence not usually covered by insurance.

Myth: Vein treatment options are mostly painful, ineffective, and lead to recurrence.

While this might have been true of outdated ‘vein-stripping’ methodologies, technology has come a long way since then. Modern vein treatment options include advanced non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures that cause negligible scarring and manageable discomfort through the optimal use of local anesthesia. Although various treatment options such as sclerotherapy, EVLT, saphenous vein or RF ablation, venous stenting, and so on have varying efficiency and recurrence rates, your local NC vein doctor will recommend the most favorable choice to suit your needs.

Most of these procedures will eliminate the present underlying problem, but they cannot prevent new varicose veins from forming in the future. The patient’s family history and personal habits, including physical activity, avoiding standing or sitting for long periods of time, and being overweight or obese, play an important role in controlling their reappearance. Combined with continued care at our vein clinic in Winston-Salem, recurrence rates can be brought down to less than 5%. It is also important to remember that conservative treatment options such as compression stockings and foot elevation are not a cure for vein diseases; they simply alleviate the pain or swelling that accompanies such conditions and are highly beneficial to a speedy recovery.

Myth: Vein conditions can only occur in the legs.

Although the legs are the most common site for peripheral venous diseases, varicose veins can also be formed in the lower abdomen or pelvis leading to a chronic medical condition known as Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. This more commonly occurs in women who have gone through pregnancy, although a few male cases have been reported, and it is often undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness. Common symptoms indicating pelvic congestion include a dull aching sensation in the pelvic area, continued backache, and painful intercourse and menstruation. At Novant Health Vein Specialists, we offer advanced non-invasive diagnostic techniques guided by ultrasound imaging that help us accurately diagnose this condition, and recommend treatment procedures such as coil embolization, after consulting your gynecologist.

Our expert Winston-Salem vascular doctor, Dr. Phil Moore is committed to making a difference in the health and beauty of your legs through timely and informed decisions. Call us now at 336-245-4890 or go online to know more, and to book an appointment with our experts.