Vein Care Help Thin The Blood And Prevent Clots

Center For Advanced Vein Care involves treating varicose and spider veins to relieve pain and prevent complications such as leg ulcers, swelling, skin discoloration and venous insufficiency. Some patients also seek treatment to improve their appearance. Generally, vein treatments are minimally invasive and done in an office setting. They are offered by physicians who specialize in vein diseases, often vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. Some vein specialists offer VEIN CARE, which includes a comprehensive exam and treatment.

Blood moves upward toward the heart through one-way valves in the veins of the legs. Varicose veins develop when these valves are deformed and no longer close properly, allowing blood to flow backward and pool in the vein. The vein then enlarges and bulges under the surface of the skin. Most people develop varicose veins in their thigh or lower leg. People with a family history of varicose veins are more likely to get them. Some other risk factors include age, pregnancy and hormone therapy (like birth control pills), which can relax the vein walls.

Treatment for Varicose Veins

A common vein treatment is wearing compression stockings, which work to reduce and manage pain as it occurs. It can also help prevent varicose veins from developing in the long term.

Other vein treatments include sclerotherapy, endothermal ablation and ligation and stripping. For sclerotherapy, doctors inject a chemical irritant into the vein. The irritant causes the vein to swell up and close, leaving healthy veins nearby to compensate for the closed vein. A doctor can use a solution that contains an agent such as sodium tetradecyl sulfate or, more recently, polidocanol. This procedure is used to treat small spider and reticular veins, as well as very small varicose veins.

Another treatment is endothermal ablation, in which a doctor uses heat to close the affected vein. This can be done with laser energy, either on the outside of the vein, called endovenous laser ablation, or through a tube (catheter) inserted into the vein. A doctor can also surgically remove varicose veins in a procedure called ambulatory phlebectomy, in which the doctor punctures the affected vein through small slits in the skin and then surgically removes it.

A complication of some vein treatments is DVT, deep vein thrombosis. This is a blood clot that forms in the deeper veins of the leg or pelvic area. It can be life-threatening if the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs. Doctors check for DVT before performing any vein procedures, and they may recommend an annual DVT screening using ultrasound.

Veins can be treated with medication, including heparins and aspirin, which help thin the blood and prevent clots. Changing positions frequently and elevating the legs while sitting can help prevent varicose veins. Gentle leg massage can also encourage blood flow through the veins. Many physicians offer vein care, but it is important to find one who specializes in vein disease. If the physician does not have experience in this field, he or she may not be able to address complications or unexpected findings from your exam.