Most people who have chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, do not seek treatment. After all, the symptoms are generally annoying, uncomfortable, or embarrassing, but they are not harmful to your health.
However, if something is constantly annoying, uncomfortable, and embarrassing, wouldn’t you do something about it? The good news is that venous insufficiency – and its related symptoms, including varicose veins and spider veins – can be treated via in-office, outpatient measures, without deeply invasive surgery.
Let’s talk about some of the key benefits of going to a vein clinic and seeing an experienced vein specialist, and where you can go in Tampa Bay and St. Pete to get clear skin again on your legs.
Why Do Veins in the Legs Develop Problems?
Veins are the blood vessels which carry nutrition-depleted and deoxygenated blood back to the lungs and heart for refortification. Designed in a truly amazing way, veins depend on many tiny internal valves and surrounding musculature to prevent the blood from stagnating, especially in the lower extremities.
Because the legs are the farthest away from the heart, and because gravity is usually pulling downward on the legs (whether sitting, standing, or walking), the veins must work hard to facilitate pushing the “used” blood back to the heart. Plus, issues such as genetics, traumatic injury, lack of exercise, and obesity can all lead to the development of varicose veins and even hazardous blood clots.
Symptoms of vein problems include:
- Bulging purple or red veins (varicose veins)
- Thin, flat, superficial veins (spider veins)
- Skin thickening or discoloration
- Skin ulcers (open skin wounds where the vein has broken up through the skin)
- Leg swelling and itching
- Leg heaviness and fatigue
- Pain in the legs, feet, and ankles
What Will Happen at a Vein Clinic?
Upon assessing your medical history and vein issues, your vein specialist will ask you about your symptoms. Be very specific in terms of:
- When symptoms started
- What, if anything, relieves or worsens symptoms (e.g., wearing compression stockings, elevating the legs, etc.)
- How intense your pain is
Additionally, your vein specialist may perform an in-office test called a duplex ultrasound. This diagnostic exam is painless and needs no special preparation.
During the ultrasound scan of your veins, the physician will analyze your vein structure and blood flow. This will help the vein doctor to determine which treatments would work best for you.
Popular Treatments for Venous Insufficiency
Your vein doctor may first advise conservative treatments if appropriate, including keeping your legs elevated when sitting down (to facilitate circulation), exercise, weight loss, stopping smoking, and wearing compression stockings. If these methods are not enough to address your vein issues, then the physician may recommend and administer one of the following treatments:
- Sclerotherapy – Injections of a chemical into small spider veins to close them and direct blood to nearby healthy veins
- Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) – Focused light energy delivered through an intravenous catheter to close varicose veins
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) – Heat is delivered into the problematic veins, creating scar tissue and closing the vein
- Phlebectomy – Surgical removal of large varicose veins
Trusted Vein Clinic in Tampa Bay
If you are looking for a board-certified, fellowship-trained varicose vein specialist in Largo, St. Petersburg, or Palm Harbor, Dr. Edward Mackay is here to serve you. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mackay, call us today at (727) 781-5652 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you love your legs again!
