If you have been diagnosed with vein disease or CVI, you want the best possible relief and long-term prevention. You wonder what factors your vein surgeon in Palm Harbor, FL, considers when planning treatment.
Here’s more on this topic important to your physical appearance and overall health.
What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, occurs when the veins in the lower extremities function poorly because of the weak one-way valves and sluggish blood return to the heart. This common health problem may take the form of:
- Blue and ropelike surface veins
- Thin and purple spider veins in the face, legs, and ankles
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) and pulmonary emboli in the lungs
- Leg wounds and ulcers
Symptoms vary from person to person, and some individuals appear asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic for years. However, if left untreated, complications can result. Accordingly, your vein doctor recommends a comprehensive treatment plan to prevent and treat CVI.
Symptoms may include:
- Leg fatigue and achiness
- Itchy skin
- Hyperpigmentation and roughened skin texture
- Cramps
- Restless legs
- Swelling
- Sore spots and ulcers, including cellulitis
What Causes Vein Disease?
Vein disease occurs in a large percentage of the American population, with 10 to 20 percent of men developing varicosities in the legs, scrotum, rectum, and other areas by middle age. A full 25 to 33 percent of women have varicose and spider veins after the age of 50. Pregnancy definitely is a predisposing factor for CVI in women.
Other causative factors may include:
- Obesity
- Genetic predisposition (related to how veins are shaped and located within the body)
- Sitting or standing in one place for extended periods (orthostasis)
- Smoking
- Poor hydration
What Factors Does Your Vein Doctor in Palm Harbor Consider When Planning Treatment?
When determining treatment options best suited to you, your vein doctor will consider:
- Your age, overall health, activity level, and lifestyle
- Your preferences and likelihood to comply with treatment recommendations
- Potential for immediate and long-term improvement and prevention of complications, such as blood clots
- Body weight
- Current medications, vitamins, and supplements
- Pregnancy or the desire to become pregnant
- Gender
- Personal appearance as affected by obvious varicose and spider veins
Additionally, your vein specialist in St. Petersburg will perform imaging tests to evaluate your valve function, vein structure, blood flow, and possible obstructions in the blood vessels.
For the most part, vein patients do well with a multi-pronged conservative approach to vein disease management. Losing weight, leg elevation, wearing loose clothing (particularly around the waist), and increasing light aerobic exercise to improve peripheral circulation and cardiovascular endurance help vein health tremendously.
Experienced, Compassionate Vein Care in St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, and Largo, FL
Where is a vein specialist near me? Here’s the answer: Edward G. Mackay and Associates in the Tampa Bay area can help you achieve optimal vascular health and function. Besides non-invasive treatments, we offer laser therapy, radiofrequency ablation, vein stripping, microphlebectomy, VenaSeal, and more. Dr. Mackay has years of experience in vein care, and he is double-certified in general and vascular surgery.
To know more, call us today at (727) 349-5652, or request your in-person visit with us online. We look forward to caring for you and your vascular health.
