The National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute reports that about 40 million American adults have a vascular health issue–varicose veins. While these superficial blood vessels cause problems with personal appearance, the bigger dangers are leg ulcers and blood clots. Would you like to know some painless ways to treat problem veins? Let’s talk about the painless treatments available from your vein specialist and where you can go for outstanding vein treatment in St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, and Largo, FL.
Varicose and Spider Veins
Varicose veins are blood vessels located just below the skin. Due to incompetent check valves located within the interior of these veins, the free blood flow back to the heart stagnates, causing various symptoms, such as:
- A bluish, rope-like appearance of the blood vessels in the legs, feet, ankles, and other areas of the body
- Itching and rough skin texture
- Aching, fatigued legs
- Restless leg syndrome, particularly at night
- Bleeding
- Ulceration
The smaller sibling of varicose veins, thin spider veins, appear mostly on the face and thighs. While typically a cosmetic issue, spider veins should be treated.
How Your Vein Doctor Can Help
A vascular surgeon specializing in vein disorders is your best resource for proper symptom evaluation and an effective treatment plan. The doctor will discuss your symptoms in the office and visually inspect your problem areas. Ultrasound examination can reveal how the veins’ interior valves operate and how blood flows through the blood vessels. The doctor can map the blood vessels and clearly understand which parts of the veins require treatment. From there, the vein specialist can offer options to improve blood flow and the outward appearance of the lower extremities.
Proven Painless Treatments
Depending on your test results, your vein specialist can suggest ways to improve the function of your veins at home. Simple, pain-free interventions include:
- Elevating your legs while at rest
- Wearing compression stockings
- Taking certain supplements and vitamins
- Losing weight
- Stopping all tobacco products
- Getting regular, light aerobic exercise
In addition, the doctor may recommend you undergo one of the following painless treatments for varicose veins or spider veins. They are performed in the office and feature no sutures or prolonged recovery time. Plus, there is little to no discomfort during or after your vein care.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Done with a local anesthetic, RFA takes just about one hour in the office. The doctor uses ultrasound guidance to thread a catheter through the leg to the problem vein. They seal the varicose vein using a thin, heated filament, thus rerouting the blood flow to the neighboring veins.
Endovenous Laser Therapy
Also done in the vein clinic, EVLT heats and scars the interior of the varicose vein. The scarring seals the vein permanently. This procedure requires local anesthetic but is comfortable and relatively quick.
Sclerotherapy
Used for spider veins and small varicose veins, sclerotherapy injects a pharmaceutical-grade irritant into the blood vessels. The chemical shuts off the blood flow, and gradually, the spider veins fade from view. Most people require multiple treatments for full therapeutic and aesthetic effects.
Dr. Edward G. Mackay and Associates
Does the prospect of painless vein treatment sound like a dream come true? Learn your treatment options from the experts at Dr. Edward G. Mackay and Associates. We recommend a number of interventions to help you have smoother, healthier legs and improved blood flow.
To arrange your consultation, call us today at (727) 349-5652, or request a convenient appointment time by filling in our online request form.
