A woman touching her legs with varicose veins in a bedroom.

When Should I Start to Worry About Varicose Veins?

If you have varicose veins or experience symptoms like heaviness, cramping, itching, or leg pain, you may wonder when to worry about varicose veins. Are varicose veins harmful? What are the risks of varicose veins that you should worry about?  Managing varicose veins proactively is one of the best ways to prevent complications. Here’s what […]

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A man holding his leg with a ruptured varicose vein.

Ruptured Varicose Veins: Causes and Treatment

Often, those with varicose veins complain about their appearance. But veins can be more than just cosmetic. Occasionally, varicose veins can burst. While a burst varicose vein is not necessarily a medical emergency, you do need to seek medical attention as soon as possible to help resolve the issue and prevent it from getting worse. […]

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A vascular surgeon using a medical device on a patient with varicose veins.

What Kind of Doctor Treats Varicose Veins?

When you have varicose veins and are thinking about treatment, one of your first questions will probably be what kind of doctor treats varicose veins. This is important to know as there are plenty of choices to consider.  However, when it comes to the best varicose vein doctor, you’ll want to choose a vascular surgeon. […]

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Legs and feet of a family of three.

Are Varicose Veins Genetic or Hereditary?

Your grandma gave the best hugs and always made the most delicious apple pie. She had so many good qualities you remember about her, but you might also remember the purple and blue varicose veins that covered her legs. A question on your mind might be, if your grandmother and mother had varicose veins, would […]

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A doctor's hands holding a pen and a vial of blood.

Can Varicose Veins Cause Blood Clots?

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The flow of blood throughout the body is an essential and delicate system responsible for nourishing tissues from head to toe. Any threat to regular blood flow has the potential to disrupt normal activities, cause pain, or create critical health issues. While varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins resulting from malfunctioning vein valves, blood clots […]

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A woman sitting on a bed and touching her legs that have varicose veins.

What Are the Stages Of Varicose Veins and Vein Disease?

Varicose veins are known as being unsightly, often bulging veins that may be blue or purple, and are often located in the lower extremities. While sometimes they’re just a cosmetic complaint, varicose veins can become uncomfortable and even painful. For some, they can eventually have more serious consequences that require medical attention.  How do varicose […]

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A woman sitting on a chair and touching her foot.

How to Prevent Varicose Veins: Tips and Expectations

While you can’t change the genetic factors that predispose you to have varicose veins, there are many actions you can take that can help prevent existing varicose veins from getting worse. To motivate you, the same lifestyle habits that can help prevent varicose veins will improve your health in a variety of other ways.  What […]

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A person touching their leg that has spider veins.

Do Spider Veins Go Away on Their Own?

If you have purple, red, or blue spider veins on your legs or other parts of your body, you may hope they go away on their own. But is it possible for them to heal over time? Can spider veins go away on their own? Or do you need treatment? There are some ways to […]

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A pregnant woman sitting and touching her leg that has varicose veins

Varicose Veins During Pregnancy: What to Know

Varicose veins are common during pregnancy because of increased pressure on the circulatory system and poor blood flow. Unlike other types of vein conditions, varicose veins during pregnancy tend to resolve on their own within a few weeks to months after delivery.  If you are currently struggling with varicose veins or want to know how […]

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A woman putting compression socks on her legs

How Long Should You Wear Compression Socks?

Compression socks are used in compression therapy, a non-invasive treatment that helps manage the symptoms of poor blood circulation in the legs. Compression therapy uses snug-fitting socks or stockings to put pressure on the legs to improve blood flow. This is often a recommended first step in managing uncomfortable symptoms such as swelling, heaviness, or […]

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A woman with varicose veins holding her thigh

What Causes Varicose Veins?

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Varicose veins can be uncomfortable, unsightly, and even painful. They can make it harder to sit or stand for prolonged periods, travel, or engage in certain activities that exacerbate them. But what is the cause of varicose veins?  Many factors are involved, and if you’re struggling with them, you’re not alone. Understanding what causes varicose […]

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Woman with varicose veins holding her leg

Are Varicose Veins Dangerous or Harmful?

Varicose veins are a common health problem that affects more than half of the population[1]. They’re predominantly a cosmetic issue, but symptoms of varicose veins can include pain, swelling, and discomfort for some people. So, are uncomfortable or itchy varicose veins dangerous? While not inherently dangerous, varicose veins can lead to complications like blood clots, […]

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An older woman holding her swollen ankle

Varicose Veins Ankle Swelling: Causes and Treatment

After spending some time on your feet, you look down and notice your ankles feel uncomfortable and appear significantly bigger than they did this morning. What’s going on?  If you have varicose veins anywhere on your legs, this can be a common cause of ankle vein swelling. What are the underlying reasons for varicose vein […]

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A woman holding her cramping leg due to varicose veins

Can Varicose Veins Cause Leg Cramps?

Varicose veins come with a slew of symptoms that can be mildly annoying or downright disruptive to everyday life. Many people with vein disease complain of discomfort in their lower limbs, but do varicose veins cause leg cramps? Let’s explore the relationship between varicose veins and leg cramps and, most importantly, what you can do […]

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A woman holding her legs that have varicose veins

Leaky Vein In The Legs: What You Need to Know About Vein Valves

Countless people experience leaky veins in their legs, especially as they get older or through certain seasons of life. Perhaps you inherited vein-related issues from your parents or are dealing with the residual effects of an old injury. Either way, if you’re living with symptoms of leaky veins in your legs, you’re not alone — […]

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How Much Does Vein Treatment Cost?

At Empire Vein Specialists, we understand that your needs and goals for treating your varicose or spider veins are as individual as you are. We create individualized treatment plans by matching your desires for how you want to look and feel with the most effective treatments for your individual needs. The cost of vein treatment […]

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What is Venous Reflux Disease?

Venous reflux disease is a common condition affecting the leg veins in which the normal mechanisms that help push blood back to the heart, such as the vein valves and the pumping effects of the calf muscles, are impaired. As a result, blood flow becomes turbulent and eventually backs up and can even flow in […]

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What a Leg Ultrasound Can Reveal About Your Varicose Veins

Ultrasound is one of the gold standard methods for evaluating varicose veins. An ultrasound study produces a comprehensive map of the large and small veins, branching veins, and interconnecting veins of your legs. Ultrasound is often performed as a first step in evaluating varicose veins and also provides valuable follow-up information to monitor the healing […]

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Why Do My Legs Itch, Burn or Feel Heavy? Symptoms of Varicose and Spider Veins, and Their Causes

Symptoms of varicose veins and spider veins can range from barely noticeable to incapacitating and may include sensations such as pressure, heaviness, fatigue, stiffness, aching, and itching. These symptoms can wax and wane depending on various factors and can vary from person to person. Varicose vein and spider vein symptoms can also be confused with […]

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8 Tips to Stay Active When Working From Home for Vein Health

During the pandemic, many employers began offering their employees the option to work from home. This arrangement has worked out well and workers are reporting that they’re happier and more productive than before. However, working from home may also include a loss of healthy habits, like working out at the gym on the way to […]

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How to Have Healthy Veins with These 6 Tips

Whether you have varicose veins currently or if you have some of the risk factors and want to minimize your risks and potential complications, there are safe and effective ways to improve your vein health. Following are simple lifestyle habits proven to improve vein health and reduce symptoms of varicose veins. Eat Lots of Fiber […]

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The Risk of Blood Clots from Varicose Veins

The tissues of the human body are nourished through a consistent and healthy flow of blood from head to toe. This is a delicate system that functions effectively for most people. However, disruptions in blood flow have the potential to interrupt normal activities, cause pain, or create critical health issues. Blood clots are widely recognized […]

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Causes and Treatments of Legs Swelling

Leg Swelling Related to Inflammation Swelling in the legs due to inflammation can be caused by a number of underlying health conditions. Normally the endothelial surface is smooth and allows the blood to flow freely. However, when there is increased pressure in the veins, such as from faulty valves or activities that involve prolonged standing […]

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Teachers and Varicose Veins: 6 Things Teachers Can Do to Improve Leg and Vein Health

While genetics play a big role in determining who gets varicose veins and who doesn’t, factors such as your occupation, lifestyle habits, even your diet also enter into the equation. Occupations that involve a lot of standing are known to increase risk and teaching falls squarely in that category. Varicose veins are consistently at the […]

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