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Life is busy and has a way of getting away from you, forcing you to shelve certain items on your wish list. If treating your varicose veins is one of those items, we want to discuss the benefits of having us treat them this fall or winter.
Although board-certified cardiologist Dr. Satjit Bhusri and the vascular team at The Upper East Side Vein Institute expertly perform vein treatments year-round with a wide range of innovative and minimally invasive services, many of our patients prefer the colder months, and here’s why.
A quick review of varicose veins and our treatments
Before we dive into the benefits of treating your varicose veins this fall or winter, let’s briefly review what we’re up against.
Varicose veins occur when tiny one-way valves in the veins of your legs malfunction, allowing blood to pool in your legs. When this happens, the pressure of the blood engorges the vein and pushes it toward the surface of your skin — and you know the rest.
Varicose veins are incredibly common and affect nearly one quarter of adults in the United States, with women outpacing men by two to one thanks to hormonal fluctuations.
As we mentioned, our vein treatments are minimally invasive, and most require only a few needle sticks. The goal of these vein treatments is to cause the vein to shut down — a technique known as sclerotherapy.
Using a sclerosing agent or heat, we cause varicose veins to collapse or seal, at which point your body naturally flushes away the remnants. Rest assured, your blood will find healthier blood vessels once the diseased vein closes.
The advantages of cold weather treatments
Each of our varicose vein treatments is performed on an outpatient basis, and you're free to get right back to your day. We recommend wearing compression socks for a few weeks afterward to promote better circulation in your legs.
And this brings us to the first reason many patients like getting their vein treatments in the fall or winter — you can easily hide compression socks behind pants and long skirts. Too often, we find that patients won’t necessarily stick to this regimen in summer because they're wearing leg-revealing clothing.
Another benefit is the colder temps, which can help with any discomfort after your vein treatment. Our suite of treatments mostly relies on injections and cannulas, and these sites can be a little sore afterward. The cold weather offers some excellent relief for these minor discomforts.
Another key advantage of cooler temps is that, with hotter weather, your blood vessels can expand, which can lead to more swelling. By undergoing the treatments in colder weather, you can minimize post-treatment swelling. Not to mention, your compression socks will fit better.
Ultimately, we can perform our innovative vein treatments any time of year, but there can be some welcome benefits during the colder months.
With that in mind, it’s time for you to get those vein treatments off your wish list. To set up your varicose vein treatment, we invite you to call our New York City office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 212-752-3464. You can also schedule an appointment online by clicking here.