What causes vein problems?
Veins carry deoxygenated (the oxygen has been used up) blood back up to the heart. Gravity tries to pull the blood back down but this is prevented through a system of one-way valves. When there is a weakness in the vein wall or a faulty valve, the valve stretches and no longer closes properly.
This allows the blood to leak back down so the veins become filled with blood. Blood doesn't flow normally, and can now cause pain, swelling, discoloration, even sores that wont heal. Larger varicose veins can sometimes lead to blood clots and other problems.
What is Phlebology?
Phlebology is the field of medicine devoted to the study and treatment of diseases of the veins. Modern treatment focuses on improving long-term functional and cosmetic results, to achieve an active, pain-free lifestyle. The American College of Phlebology (ACP) is the largest medical society in the United States for specialists trained and experienced in the field of venous disease.
What types of vein problems does a phlebologist treat?
Spider veins and varicose veins are the most common. Other problems include:
Chronically swollen legs
Recurrent infections
Thrombophlebitis
Stasis eczema
Pregnancy-related problems
Non-healing leg sores
Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
How are varicose veins treated?
There are essentially only 3 options:
Surgery - Although surgery can stop the leakage of varicose veins and remove bad veins, most patients are reluctant to have surgery. There are many risks with surgery including a one third chance of developing blood clots, a risk of bleeding and a risk of infection. Surgery will also leave scars on the legs, sometimes very disfiguring. There is also a risk with the general anesthesia that will be required for surgical ligation and stripping. Surgery is the absolute last resort. Only 1% of our patients need surgery.
Sclerotherapy - Most patients can be treated non-surgically, using the latest and safest improvements in technology. From the largest varicose veins to the tiniest spider veins, most problem veins today can be treated with sclerotherapy.
Endovenous Laser Treatment(EVLT) - When a large truncal varicose vein such as the Greater Saphenous Vein is involved, EVLT is the cutting edge procedure for treatment. Using laser technology now even the worst and largest veins can be treated on an outpatient basis 98% of the time.
Closure (Radio Frequency Ablation) and Amubulatory Phlebectomy - These are both options that are still available, but Closure was an excellent alternative to Ligation and Stripping (surgery) until EVLT. EVLT is now a far superior treatment which is more comfortable and is able to treat a larger spectrum of vein disease. Ambulatory phlebectomy is useful in limited situations where sclerotherapy is contraindicated (not safe or ineffective), such as large painful varicose veins on the foot and ankle bone.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a nonsurgical office procedure that can treat most diseased surface veins. A small amount of medicine is injected through a tiny little needle about the size of an eyelash. The medication stimulates your own body's natural healing factors to create a type of glue so that the vein walls stick together and are gradually reabsorbed by the body. Getting rid of these diseased veins actually improves the circulation and makes the legs healthier.
What is EVLT?
A novel technique invented by Dr. Robert Min at Cornell University EVLT utilizes laser energy delivered endovenously (directly inside the vein) as a treatment developed to treat the worst varicose veins. Endovenous laser treatment is performed under local anesthesia in the doctors office. There is little to no scarring and a relative short recovery period after the procedure. The procedure is called Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT); it is an outpatient procedure, which means you can resume your normal activities almost immediately.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis starts with a careful history and a physical exam. Diagnostic Tests are often needed to evaluate the extent of disease and to determine safety of treatment. If treatment is indicated, each treatment takes between 15-60 minutes. The number of treatments depends on the severity of the problem.
Discomfort after treatment is rare. Many patients leave our office and go directly back to work. We recommend that patients walk as much as possible after each treatment. You can even resume your normal low impact exercise program immediately.
Insurance Coverage
The diagnosis and treatment of significant problems due to diseased veins are covered by most insurance companies. Spider veins are considered cosmetic and usually are not covered. Varicose veins can have medical significance and be covered by most commercial insurance plans. Our evaluation can usually tell whether diseased veins are causing medically significant problems or whether the problem is strictly cosmetic.
Why American Vein and Aesthetic Institute?
With 17 years of experience in Phlebology, our medical director is actively involved in phlebology. He hsa been a member of the American College of Phlebology (ACP) for 15 years and he served on the Education Committee for 2 years. He is one of the United States' recognized top experts in the field, has lectured all over the world, trained doctors all over the U.S., and has written many articles in the field of vein medicine. In 2001 he collaborated with five other international experts on one of the most definitive textbooks in the field.
Our state-of-the-art equipment helps us to make an accurate diagnosis before we consider any treatment. We have the cutting edge treatments that are successful intreating the worst veins without surgery over 95% of the time.
Venous disease is our specialty. Our practice is dedicated to constant improvement in this field.
How to get more information
Just pick up the telephone and call our office at 310-271-5875. We have brochures, patient education literature, articles and many other resources we'll be glad to share with you.
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Varicose Veins/Spider Veins
