IVY TRAINED VEIN DOCTORS | TOP RATED VEIN CENTER| SPIDER AND VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENT CLINIC
When Should I See A Vein Doctor?
Do you suffer from an increasing number of spider veins or varicose veins on the legs? Have you noticed that your legs feel more tired or swell at the end of the day? Spider veins may only be cosmetic, but those symptoms tell a different story and should be evaluated by a vein doctor for venous insufficiency.
So while spider veins can be displeasing, it’s those symptoms that should have you more concerned. Untreated venous disease is not only associated with increasing spider and varicose veins, but also greater health concerns like DVT, leg swelling, leg ulcerations, and skin discoloration. It’s for this reason that even simple spider veins should not be ignored and a consultation with a trusted vein clinic should be sought.
Why See A Vein Specialist?
A vein specialist should be a board-certified vascular specialist with specialized attention to the diagnosis and management of varicose vein disease. Whether it’s for cosmetic reasons or for serious venous disease, a qualified vein doctor can make the appropriate decisions on testing and treating underlying vein disease.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins occur when the veins (most commonly in the legs) become enlarged and overfilled with blood. The condition affects approximately 30 percent of all adults with a greater presence in women. Symptoms may include the following:
- Leg pain
- Heaviness
- Leg cramps
- Swelling
- Skin discoloration or leg ulcerations
In severe cases, ulcers form over diseased veins that can become infected or bleed. It is just as important to be aware that varicose veins are not always visible but the symptoms and adverse effects are no different. Because of the serious consequences of untreated venous insufficiency, varicose veins warrant appropriate evaluation at a vein clinic.
What Causes the Condition?
Blood is returned to the heart by a network of veins throughout the body. There are both superficial and deep veins within this network, however, it is the superficial veins in our legs that are most prone to disease. Within these veins, blood is prevented from flowing backwards due to muscle function and valves. When the valves in your veins become dysfunctional due to one of many factors listed below, blood accumulates in the legs. As a result, the veins can become swollen, enlarged, and painful. Here are the potential risk factors for varicose veins:
- Genetic predisposition
- Standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time
- Aging
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
While some of these risk factors are set (like family history), others can be managed with early attention. If you are concerned about varicose veins or have already started to experience symptoms, it is wise to make lifestyle changes in consultation with your vascular specialist.
How Do I Know When To See A Vein Specialist?
Far too many patients wait till the symptoms have progressed and regularly affecting their daily activity. Later presentations are associated with more advanced disease including signs of swelling, skin discoloration, leg ulcerations and corona phlebectatica. We recommend patients be proactive about their leg symptoms and recognize the early signs of vein disease that warrant a vein specialist.
Minimally-Invasive Treatments:
Today represents a new age in vein treatment. The days of invasive procedures like vein stripping and ligation are gone. In their place, vein doctors use minimally-invasive techniques like ablation and microphlebectomy to treat complex vein disease. These procedures are fast, effective and virtually pain-free. Best yet, there is no need for any downtime after the procedure. Here is a review of a few of our favorite techniques:
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is still the best procedure to treat spider veins and forms the cornerstone of treatment. The procedure is done in the office by a trained vein doctor using a medication solution that is directly injected into undesirable veins.
This procedure, however, only treats visible spider veins and not the underlying venous insufficiency.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is the gold standard for treating the underlying cause of spider veins.
In this procedure, the vein doctor inserts a catheter through the skin and into the diseased feeder vein. Once the catheter is appropriately positioned, the vein doctor turns the heat source on which collapses the vein walls. The treated vein is removed from the circulation and blood reroutes to healthier veins.
Endovenous Laser Ablation
Endovenous laser ablation is very similar to radiofrequency ablation but uses laser energy as its heat source. The vein doctor again inserts the catheter into the diseased feeder vein that is collapsed using a laser source. Healthier circulation results after the diseased vein is absorbed naturally by the body.
VenaSeal
VenaSeal is a new innovation in the treatment of varicose veins using medical glue to close down the diseased vein. The vein doctor inserts a catheter into the vein, but in place of a heat source, the catheter is used to deposit a safe medical adhesive that fuses the vein walls together. Blood is subsequently rerouted from the diseased vein to healthier veins and improves circulation.
Our varicose vein specialists at the Princeton Vascular Center can be trusted to provide the right skills and experience for vein treatment. Our doctors are skilled in all minimally invasive treatment methods, including sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), Varithena and Ambulatory Phlebectomy. When you meet one of our varicose vein specialists, you can expect an individualized treatment plan that will not only help you feel good but also look refreshed.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced varicose vein specialist, get in touch with the Princeton Vascular Center today. Our vein doctors are recognized leaders in the field of diagnosing and treating vein disease. For your convenience, the Princeton Vascular Center has multiple state-of-the-art facilities across NJ to eliminate varicose veins and cure chronic venous insufficiency.