Free vein screening set Feb. 20

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 Monday, Feb. 20, with appointments at 4, 5 and 6 p.m., at the vascular center in Lewes. 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.

The address is 33664 Bayview Medical Drive, Unit 2, in Lewes. Registration is required for this free medical screening; call 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, standing or sitting for long periods, or being female, pregnant or obese. Symptoms of venous disease include aching, cramping, heaviness and redness in legs; leg swelling; wounds on 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.