Answers To Your Vein Care Questions. Call for a Consultation Regarding Vein Care in Teaneck Vein Clinic – (201) 265-5300 or Morristown Vein Clinic – (973) 540-9700. Call Our Other Vein Clinics in Northern New Jersey.
For a good medical experience, you should not only get a diagnosis and a treatment, you should get a clear explanation of the condition, the procedures and what to expect. No question or concern is too small. Here are a few of the most common questions. Feel free to call or email us with any others you might have.
Can my varicose veins or spider veins harm me?
In its advanced forms, the malfunctioning of the vein system that leads to these abnormal veins can lead to skin damage, phlebitis, and ulceration. In its less advanced forms, patients can suffer from pain, fatigue, burning, itching, and restlessness of the legs.
What causes varicose veins?
Our veins have valves in them which, when working normally, one-directional flow from the foot up toward the heart. When these valves become leaky, gravity is able to pull the blood downwards. This increases the pressure in the veins and leads to vein enlargement, which can be painful and unsightly.
What are the symptoms of vein disease?
Most patients with varicose veins also suffer from pain, heaviness, and swelling. Less common symptoms are itching, calf cramps, skin discoloration, restless leg syndrome, skin ulceration, phlebitis (clots), and bleeding.
Don’t my legs NEED these veins?
Varicose veins are already flowing in the wrong direction and therefore are only hurting your leg’s circulation as it is. Furthermore, over 90% of the blood leaving your leg leaves through the femoral vein which is deep in the leg and unaffected. These treatments are only applied to superficial veins under the skin. In fact, the closure of these faulty veins reduces the load on the deeper veins and can actually enhance the function of the deeper vein systems. This improves your body’s ability to remove toxins from your leg’s circulation.
Does insurance cover these treatments?
Most insurance companies will cover treatments for symptomatic varicose veins that have not responded to compression therapy and other conservative measures. Insurance will not cover treatments performed solely for cosmetic benefit.
Do you participate in insurance plans?
Unlike the vast majority of vein clinics in the community, we are “in-network” with most local insurance providers including, Horizon BC/BS, United HealthCare, AETNA (for Vein Care patients) and Medicare.
What’s the difference between EVLA and RFA?
Both of these treatments use catheters placed inside the vein to destroy it by heating it internally. EVLA uses laser light to heat the vein. RFA uses radio waves. The experience and the results are identical. We choose the laser (EVLA) because it is a faster procedure and doesn’t cost as much as RFA.
Is there an age limit for these treatments?
No! The wonderful thing about these vein treatments is how safe they are and how easy they are on our patients. While we certainly are more conservative with our older patients, we’ve been able to improve the quality of lives of many patients who were in their 80’s and even 90’s!