Beebe Healthcare sets free vein screening Sept. 27

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, most people don't realize they could have what is medically termed as “venous insufficiency,” or “chronic venous disease.”

For people to learn whether they may be suffering from venous disease, Beebe Vein Center is offering a free screening Tuesday, Sept. 27. Beebe Vein Center is at Beebe Vascular, 33664 Bayview Medical Drive in Lewes.

Registration is required for this free medical screening. To register, call 302-703-9300. Beebe thoracic and cardiac surgeon Christopher Genco, MD, will make a presentation and answer questions.

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.

Venous disease risk factors include age and family history, being female, pregnancy, obesity and standing or sitting for long periods of time. Symptoms include aching, cramping, heaviness and redness in legs, swelling in the legs, wounds on the legs and ankles that are slow to heal, and skin color changes around the ankles. Treatment options available at Beebe include sclerotherapy, ablation and microphlebectomy.