Chronic Venous Insufficiency can occur when the veins in your legs don’t allow blood to flow back up to your heart. The valves in your veins normally make sure that the blood flows smoothly, but when these valves aren’t functioning as designed, the blood can also flow backwards causing blood to collect in your legs. At Summit Skin and Vein Care, our team of experts can identify any risk of vein disease and provide top-tier vein care procedures to eliminate the problem which caused the spider veins or varicose veins. Here are some of the causes of chronic venous insufficiency and symptoms to look out for.

Causes of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic Venous Insufficiency is an issue that stems from lack of blood flow to the heart. Oftentimes this can occur in individuals who are overweight, pregnant, or have a family history of this problem. Chronic Venous Insufficiency can also be a result of a previous leg injury, surgery or previous blood clots. Due to sitting or standing for long periods of time, high blood pressure can also occur in the legs, leading to venous insufficiency. Lastly, studies have shown that smoking can also be a contributing factor to causing chronic venous insufficiency.

Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic Venous Insufficiency can happen to anyone, so it is important to know what to look for. Common symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency include:

• Swelling in your legs/ankles
• Tight feeling in your calves
• Itchy/painful legs
• Pain while you are walking that stops when you rest
• Brown-colored skin that is often near the ankles
• Varicose veins
• Leg Ulcers
• Restless Legs Syndrome
• Recurring Charley Horse

Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency can often be mistaken for other health conditions, so it is important to talk with your healthcare provider if you notice any of the above listed signs. Summit Skin & Vein Care offers the best vein care services available in the Midwest. Contact us today for a FREE consultation or visit us in Lee’s Summit if you have any questions or concerns about chronic venous insufficiency!

Summit Skin & Vein Care is a vein treatment clinic located in Lee’s Summit, MO that offers a variety of services, including: Varicose Vein Treatment, Spider Vein Treatment, Treatment for Cosmetic Concerns, and evaluations of vein health. For 18 years, Summit Skin & Vein Care has been the top provider for vein treatments. Dedicated to ensuring the best customer service available, Summit Skin & Vein Care is excited to welcome Dr. Joe Baker and Nurse Practitioner Paige Medlin to the team of professionals providing care at the Lee’s Summit location.

Dr. Joseph Baker, DO

Summit Skin & Vein Care prides itself on the combined knowledge and experience of its care providers, and ensuring that our clients are given accurate information, along with the best vein and skin care services available. That is why we are so happy to announce that Dr. Joseph Baker has joined our team at the Lee’s Summit location. Dr. Baker comes to Summit Skin & Vein after 6 years with Vein Clinics of America based out of Overland Park, KS. Dr. Baker has been in family practice medicine for over 25 years and over 10 years of surgical practice. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine. He is also Board Certified in Family Medicine. Prior to joining the Summit Skin and Vein Care Team, he was a vein specialist in Overland Park, Kansas.

Paige Medlin RN, FNP-C

We are excited to welcome Paige Medlin to the team as a nurse practitioner. Paige attended Rockhurst University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, and then graduated from Research College of Nursing with her Masters of Science in Nursing, in 2022.
Paige worked as an ER nurse for 4 years before joining Summit Skin and Vein Care as a practitioner.

Our Mission:

We are very excited to have Dr. Baker and Paige Medlin join our team. Their added experience will enhance our clinic’s ability to continue offering the best vein care services available in the Midwest. At Summit Skin & Vein Care, we are dedicated to spreading medically accurate information regarding vein and skin care. Our team has performed over 18,000 Endovenous Laser Ablations and over 22,500 Endovenous Chemical Ablations using the latest state-of-the-art equipment. You can rest assured that you are in good hands when you receive treatment of a vein disease at our vein clinic. If you’re looking for more information, feel free to contact us and schedule your FREE Vein Screening in Lee’s Summit!

Do you make New Year’s resolutions but find it difficult to follow through? Every year rings in the hope of a “New Year, New Me”! Now’s the time to invest in yourself and get rid of those varicose veins that you keep putting off dealing with. Connect with Summit Skin & Vein Care in the new year and let us educate you on your condition, explain what varicose veins are, what causes them, and the treatments that are available to help you tackle 2023 varicose vein-free.

What are varicose veins and what causes them to form?

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins that often occur on the legs. They are caused by the backup of blood in the veins, which can occur due to pregnancy, weight gain, or even trauma. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes and collagen disorders, can also increase the risk of developing varicose veins. In most cases, varicose veins are not painful or serious. However, they can sometimes lead to blood clots or ulcers. If you have varicose veins, contact the experts at Summit Skin & Vein Care for treatment options to improve their appearance.

How can you tell if you have varicose veins and what are the symptoms?

Varicose veins are usually easy to spot and feel. They are often large, bulging veins that appear twisted and can be seen just beneath the surface of the skin. They are most commonly found on the legs, but can also occur in other parts of the body. Symptoms of varicose veins may include heavy and achy legs, restless legs, burning and itching, swelling of the legs and feet, cramping of the legs, and discoloration of the skin at the ankle and feet. In more severe cases, varicose veins can lead to open sores or ulcers on the lower legs. If you think you may have varicose veins, reach out to Summit Skin and Vein Care for an appointment and take the first step toward relief from symptoms. If left untreated, varicose veins can become worse over time or in some rare cases, may lead to more serious health complications.

What surgical treatment options are available for varicose veins?

Endovenous ablation is a minimally invasive treatment option for varicose veins that delivers thermal energy to the vein wall, causing it to collapse and close. There are two types of endovenous ablation: Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and Endovenous Chemical Ablation (EVCA).

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a type of endovenous ablation that uses lasers to deliver the thermal energy, while endovenous chemical ablation (EVCA) uses chemicals. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is considered the preferred method because it is less painful and has a shorter recovery time than endovenous chemical ablation (EVCA). Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is also less likely to cause skin discoloration. However, EVCA is often used on larger veins that are not suitable for EVLA.

The recovery time for both procedures is typically short, with most people able to return to their normal activities within a few days. Endovenous ablation should only be performed by a trained and experienced physician. Summit Skin & Vein Care has years of experience as well as the cutting edge technology for successfully performing both EVLA and EVCA treatments.

Choose Summit Skin & Vein Care to Help You Start 2023 Free of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are a common problem and can cause pain, swelling, and other symptoms. If you think you might have varicose veins, it’s important to seek medical attention. At Summit Skin & Vein Care our specialists will be happy to discuss the best option for you. Contact us today to set up a free color duplex ultrasound scan!