Our Address

MediCenter 10543 Kenai Spur Hwy (Across from Safeway in 3 Bears Parking Lot) Phone: (907) 283-9118 Fax: (907) 283-5341 PO Box 240, Kenai, AK 99611

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Varicose Vein Care

We know that varicose veins are more than just a cosmetic nuisance; they cause inflammation and pain, and eventually can form ulcers, making life very uncomfortable, and not just on the social level. Give yourself an opportunity to feel good again. With Dr. Corey Johnson, we offer regular free screenings for varicose veins. Join us at our Kenai location on January 24th through the 29th. 

Remember, varicose veins won’t just go away. Let us help you take care of them. Call 283-9118 to schedule a free screening today. The procedure is less expensive than you think, and we do accept payment plans when needed.

VARICOSE VEINS

For a video on the procedure, go to www.alaskaveincare.com/videos.html. 

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 Varicose veins affect nearly 40 per cent of the population. Due to hormonal factors, women are affected by this condition three times as much as men.

Vein Disease

What is vein disease? In contrast to arteries, which take blood from the heart to the extremities, veins – through a series of small valves that pump blood upwards – bring blood back to the heart from the extremities.

There are two main systems of veins in the legs:

  • a deep system, which brings about 90 per cent of the blood back to the heart; and
  • a more superficial system, which brings about 10 per cent back to this area.

Between these, is a third system – of perforating veins or perforators – which transports blood from the superficial to the deep system.

Varicose and spider veins occur solely in the superficial system, when the walls of the veins lose their elasticity and the pumping valves stop functioning properly. This causes the blood to flow back down, creating a reverse process called ebb or reflux, which can be heard with a Doppler machine, and heard and seen with Duplex ultrasound.

What causes varicose and spider veins?

  • Heredity is the number one factor. They usually run in the family (“like mother, like daughter”)
  • Hormones are also a factor: puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the birth control pill
  • Obesity
  • Aging
  • Prolonged periods of standing (common to nurses, pharmacists, teachers, waitresses)

What are the different types of veins?

 

TREATMENT

EVLT

EVLT

Our treatment goal is to restore normal circulation in the leg. This is accomplished by closing the refluxing vein and eliminating locations where blood can pool (large varicose veins). EVLT (Endovenous Laser Therapy) is a technique in which a thin glass laser fiber is inserted into the refluxing vein. As the energy from the laser is delivered through the fiber and out the tip, the fiber is slowly withdrawn and the vein closes behind it. This is done in the office under local anesthetic. EVLT has emerged as the most popular technique in the country due to it’s high rate of success and excellent safety profile.

MICRO-PHLEBECTOMY

Bulging varicose veins just under the skin are removed by a second procedure done at the same time as the EVLT called micro-phlebectomy or ambulatory phlebectomy. This procedure, like EVLT, is done in the office under local anesthetic. A series of tiny punctures are made over the affected area and a special hook is used to remove the loops of vein. Cosmetic results are usually excellent.

SCLEROTHERAPY

Some veins are best treated by injection of a medicine which causes the vein to close through a scarring process which occurs on the inside of the vein wall. These medicines are called sclerosants. It is not uncommon to employ all three techniques – EVLT, micro-phlebectomy and sclerotherapy – on the same leg.