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Varicose veins - what to ask your doctor
     
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Varicose veins - what to ask your doctor

What to ask your doctor about varicose veins; Venous insufficiency - what to ask your doctor; Vein stripping - what to ask your doctor

 

Varicose veins are abnormally swollen, twisted, or painful veins that are filled with blood. They most often occur in the lower legs.

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Below are some questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you take care of your varicose veins.

Questions

 

What are varicose veins?

  • What causes them? What makes them worse?
  • Do they always cause symptoms?
  • What sort of tests do I need if I have varicose veins?

Do I need to treat my varicose veins? If I do not treat them, how quickly will they get worse? Are there serious complications or problems if I do not treat them?

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Are there medicines that can treat my varicose veins?

What are compression (or pressure) stockings?

  • Where can I buy them?
  • Are there different types?
  • Which stockings may be covered by insurance?
  • Which ones would be best for me?
  • Will they get rid of my varicose veins, or will I always need to wear them?

Which procedures for varicose veins do you perform?

  • Sclerotherapy?
  • Heat ablation or laser ablation?
  • Vein stripping?

Questions to ask about different procedures for varicose veins are:

  • How does this treatment work? When would it be a good choice for treating my varicose veins?
  • Where is this procedure done? Will I have any scars? What are the risks?
  • Will my varicose veins come back after this procedure? Will I still get new varicose veins on my legs? How soon?
  • Does this procedure work as well as other treatments for varicose veins?

 

 

References

Goldman MP, Weiss RA. Phlebology and treatment of leg veins. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 155.

Iafrati MD. Varicose veins: surgical treatment. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 154.

Sadek M, Kabnick LS. Varicose veins: endovenous ablation and sclerotherapy. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 155.

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Review Date: 7/15/2024

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