More than 40 million Americans suffer from pain and swelling in their legs that is the result of inefficient blood circulation. Even when varicose veins appear, many do not realize they could be suffering from venous insufficiency or chronic venous disease.
Venous disease can cause:
- Aching or burning pain
- Restless legs
- Leg swelling
- Varicose veins
- Numbness or tingling
- Skin changes
For those who are concerned about their veins or who may have pain in their legs, the Beebe Vein Center at Beebe Vascular is hosting a free vein screening on Monday, Feb. 20, with appointments at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., at the vascular office, 33664 Bayview Medical Drive, Unit 2, in Lewes.
Registration is required for this free medical screening by telephoning (302) 703-9300. Treatment options are covered by most commercial insurance carriers, including Medicare.
Beebe Vein Center also provides free consumer information about varicose veins, spider veins, and other types of venous disease.
In a healthy person, blood flows into the legs from the heart through arteries, and returns to the heart through veins. However, if the walls of the veins have been weakened, or the valves within the veins have been damaged, the blood does not flow easily back to the heart, thus causing pain, swelling, redness, and even sores that don’t heal in the legs. This can be associated with blood clots and other serious and chronic circulatory problems. Beebe’s experienced vein team provides many treatment options to improve blood flow, as well as surgery when necessary.
Risk factors for venous disease include:
- Age and family history
- Female
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time
Symptoms of venous disease include:
- Aching, cramping, heaviness and redness in legs
- Swelling in the legs
- Wounds on the legs and ankles that are slow to heal
- Skin color changes around the ankles
Treatment options available at Beebe include:
- Sclerotherapy
- Ablation
- Microphlebectomy
Beebe Healthcare is a not-for-profit community healthcare system with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. It offers services throughout Southern Delaware for residents and visitors, including a 210-licensed-bed hospital, a cancer treatment center, and outpatient facilities providing walk-in care, lab, imaging, and physical rehabilitation services. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebehealthcare.org.
