If you’ve been referred for evaluation by a vein doctor, you doubtless have questions about what to expect. Knowing more about vein evaluation procedures can help prepare you for your visit to a vein doctor. Let’s look at why your primary care physician wants you to see a vein specialist, what likely will happen at your in-office appointment, and where you can go for outstanding vascular care in Florida.
Reasons to See a Vein Doctor
Most adults seek treatment from a vein specialist when their varicose or spider veins become unattractive, noticeable, embarrassing, and physically uncomfortable or painful. About 23 percent of American adults–more women than men–experience changes in how the veins in their lower extremities operate. Interior vein valves no longer function well, and blood pools in the legs and feet, causing:
- Pain and cramping
- Fatigue
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Twisted, discolored surface veins
- Cracked, itchy skin
- Wounds or ulcers
While home remedies like losing weight and wearing compression stockings help with mild varicose veins, progressive symptoms require professional evaluation and treatments.
What Happens at a Vein Doctor Appointment
At your vein clinic, your board-certified specialist will visually examine your areas of concern and also review your medical history and symptoms. Be sure to tell the doctor when your symptoms began, what worsens them (standing for long periods, for instance), and what may relieve them (elevating the feet).
Also, when describing pain, be specific about its location, how severe it is, and if it’s stabbing, crushing, aching, or something else. The more information you can supply the doctor, the more accurate your diagnosis and care plan will be.
From there, the vein specialist likely will do a simple, painless test called a duplex ultrasound. Using sound waves, the doctor can visualize the location and structure of your problem veins and evaluate the circulation through the blood vessels.
The findings from this in-depth evaluation allow the vein doctor to recommend a plan of treatment to improve your physical appearance and blood flow and to avoid complications, such as leg ulcers and blood clots.
Vein Treatment Options
Your vein doctor may recommend some at-home interventions to improve your vein structure and blood flow. These interventions can include:
- Losing weight
- Staying well-hydrated and consuming a high-fiber diet
- Being as active as possible (low-impact aerobic activity is best)
- Wearing compression stockings
- Stopping all tobacco products
- Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, particularly at the waist
- Elevating the legs and feet
For more serious cases, your doctor may advise ablation procedures–in-office treatments which close off the spider and varicose veins with radio waves, laser light, chemical injections (sclerotherapy), or vein glue (Vena Seal). Surgery, in which the doctor removes sections of varicose veins, is reserved for the most severe cases.
Leading Edge Vein Treatments in St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, and Largo, FL
Dr. Edward Mackay is a highly sought-after vascular surgeon in Florida who always surpasses our patients’ expectations. Dr. Mackay treats spider and varicose veins using various state-of-the-art methods, and he will determine which procedure will give you the best results. From ablation to laser treatments and minimally invasive surgeries, Dr. Mackay has decades of experience necessary to earn your confidence. He is board-certified in vascular surgery by the American Board of Surgery.
To schedule a vein treatment consultation, call our office today at (727) 527-2888 or use our convenient appointment request form.