When in good health, the veins in your legs allow blood to flow to all your nearby tissues while remaining out of sight, out of mind. As damage occurs to the vein structure, however, they may push up toward the surface of the skin and make an appearance. Depending on the severity of the damage, the veins may look like a tiny web of lines or bulging, twisting cords. Either way, you’ll need to see a vein MD phlebologist for treatment before the veins start to cause pain, swelling, and other complications.
How Vein Doctors (Phlebologists) Diagnose Leg Veins
When you schedule a consult with your vein physician, they will complete all the key diagnostic steps, such as:
- Discuss all your symptoms, including pain and swelling
- Complete a visual examination of the damaged veins
- Perform an ultrasound to visualize the veins and check for blood clots
At the end of the examination, your phlebologist will share their findings and make an accurate diagnosis.
What Causes Varicose & Spider Veins?
In most cases, twisting veins appear as high pressure levels damage the valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. As far as blood vessels go, arteries bring blood from the heart to the rest of the body, while veins send the blood flowing back to the heart. When the valves get damaged, blood can pool in the extremities instead of heading to the heart, resulting in varicose and spider veins.
Since female hormones slow blood flow and relax vein walls, women face a higher risk of developing leg vein issues, especially during pregnancy or while taking birth control pills. Beyond that, as you get older, your valves experience natural wear and tear that could result in venous disorders. Other risk factors include obesity, genetics, and a sedentary lifestyle.
What Causes DVT?
DVT occurs as your blood thickens and forms clots in the veins deep beneath your skin. Although this happens most often due to injury, infection, or surgery, varicose veins can increase the risk as well.
As the blood stagnates in the affected blood vessels, the clots form at the surface, further blocking blood flow to nearby tissues. Then, even more blood clots form simultaneously in deeper vessels, resulting in DVT.
Unlike surface blood clots, or superficial venous thrombosis, a deep bloodclot has the potential to cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Since this complication blocks blood flow in the lungs, the resulting tissue damage and decrease in oxygen could result in death without prompt treatment.
Treatments for Venous Issues
Upon noticing leg veins along the skin surface, you can come to our vein physicians for care. During your consultation, they will assess your leg veins and let you know what treatments are available.
The most common treatments for varicose veins, spider veins, and other venous disorders include:
- Sclerotherapy
- Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy
- Microphlebectomy
- ClosureFast
- Clarivein®
- VenaSeal™
- Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
- Veinwave™
Since there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for venous disorders, you’ll need to discuss all the potential options with your vein physician. Using your diagnosis, preferences, and overall health as a guide, they’ll help you zero in on the best vein treatment for your needs.
Contact Your Closest Vein & Vascular Office in New Jersey
If you need treatment for varicose veins, we invite you to meet our vein physicians in Vineland, Voorhees, Sewell and Lumberton New Jersey. All you have to do is call 856-309-8346 to schedule your visit. During your appointment, you can discuss all the different treatment options and help you find the solution that will work best for you. So, please feel free to call whenever you need care for your vein disorders.