A few years ago, Leif Anderson suffered a cut on his ankle and it wouldn’t stop bleeding. He ended up in the emergency room.

Anderson, owner of Anderson’s Candy Shop in Barrington and nearby Richmond, was diagnosed with varicose veins, which came as a surprise.

He was referred to Dr. Stephen Sorenson of Vein Specialists of Illinois and has been receiving treatment there ever since.

“My father had varicose veins but he was diagnosed when he was older and they didn’t have the kinds of treatments they have today,” Anderson says.

The condition of varicose veins is mainly hereditary, Dr. Sorenson says. The vast majority of men who have it inherited it from their parents. Women also inherit vein problems but are more frequently affected than men because pregnancy and hormonal changes hasten the condition.

Varicose veins are also more prevalent than most people realize, affecting 20 to 30 percent of the population.

A common misperception of varicose vein treatment is that it’s cosmetic, to improve the appearance of the legs.

“We treat tired legs, heavy legs, ankle swelling, and skin problems caused by vein disease,” Dr. Sorenson says. “Symptoms can sneak up on you and many of our patients don’t initially realize that the cause was varicose veins.”

Dr. Sorenson says that while many physicians can treat varicose veins, an experienced, dedicated expert in venous and lymphatic medicine offers patients the best treatment outcomes.

“What you need to look for is someone who treats varicose veins full-time and who can explain to you what you have following an ultrasound exam,” says Dr. Sorenson. “We craft a treatment plan that’s right for you and that will keep you moving and active.”

Vein Specialists of Illinois’ treatments include minimally invasive laser ablation and sclerotherapy. There are no incisions and, according to Dr. Sorenson, the combination of treatments result in healthier legs.

Dr. Sorenson believes in the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle and this is what led him to the field of venous medicine.

“If I do my job right the varicose veins are gone. It’s a very fixable problem,” he says. “Helping patients achieve healthier legs improves their
overall health because it allows them to be more active.”

Leif Anderson is one of Dr. Sorenson’s many success stories. He was referred by another doctor and hasn’t looked back.

“It was a great experience from when I first walked through the door. The staff are engaging and they handled all of my insurance questions expediently,” says Anderson. “I didn’t have to think about it.”

He also appreciates Dr. Sorenson’s personable manner and the two have become friends.

“I didn’t have to worry about the treatments,” he says. “It was painless and I’ve got a new friend.”

One of the risks of untreated varicose veins is that they can lead to blood clots, an ongoing concern for Anderson, so he goes to Vein Specialists of Illinois for regular checkups.

“It takes the fear and mystery out of going. It’s one of my happy places,” he says.

Vein Specialists of Illinois is located at 1670 Capital Street, Suite 500, in Elgin, and at 795 Ela Road, Suite 115, in Lake Zurich, 847-595-1064, vsiveins.com.