Millions of Americans suffer from vein diseases, but how do you know if you need a vein treatment like ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy? Vein doctors can determine if your varicose veins require treatment either in an office setting or by vascular surgeons in a hospital setting. To determine if you need treatment, make an appointment for an evaluation.
Do you need ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy?
Upon visiting our vein clinic, you’ll be assessed for symptoms such as:
- Leg heaviness or fatigue,
- Swelling in the legs or ankles,
- Restless legs,
- Pain, aching, or cramping in your legs, especially in the evenings or at night,
- The appearance of varicose or spider veins,
- Leg ulcers.
Next, we’ll discuss your risk for vein disease. Risk factors for vein disease can include things like:
- Increased age. Over the years. your veins lose their elasticity, valves break down, and veins just quit functioning properly.
- Genetics. Varicose veins can be passed from generation to generation, of height, hair color, or other traits.
- Gender. While vein disease can affect both genders, women tend to have more problems with their veins than men.
- Weight. Carrying extra weight causes more pressure in your veins which creates problems.
- Type of job. If you stand or sit for long periods, normal blood flow in your veins can be restricted. This can result in vein disease.
- Trauma or injury. If you’ve ever experienced a traumatic injury, you could be at increased risk of vein disease.
Based on whether your problems are cosmetic or medical, we can discuss treatment options that will help improve the appearance and function of your veins.
Common Treatments for Varicose Veins
One of the most common treatments for spider and varicose veins is sclerotherapy. In the treatment, a saline solution is injected into your spider veins. The solution causes irritation inside the vein walls, which causes them to collapse. Your body absorbs the vein, and the spider vein disappears.
Traditional sclerotherapy is primarily used for cosmetic vein problems that exist on the surface of your skin. When you have issues with deeper, bigger veins, you may need to consider ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. The treatment is quite similar to traditional sclerotherapy, but ultrasound technology is used to identify the location of deep varicose veins. An ultrasound–or sonogram–lets us see the exact location of the vein that needs to be treated. A solution called Asclera is injected into the vein. The medication is given in a higher concentration than for spider veins, but the process works the same way. The medication causes the veins to collapse and eventually be absorbed by your body.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment for a consultation, please call us at 856-309-9777.