Varicose veins can be ugly. Many people have them removed because they want to have their beautiful skin back. You may not have considered vein removal because cosmetics aren’t your priority. Even if you’re not worried about cosmetic issues, there are times when you should be concerned about vein issues. They can lead to serious complications.
How do you know when it’s time to make an appointment with the vein doctor? Here are 8 signs that indicate it’s time to call the vein doctor.
1. Is One of Your Legs Swelling or in Pain, But the Other One Is Fine?
This could be a sign of inadequate circulation. Varicose veins aren’t painful, but the pressure from them makes your legs swell, leading to aches and pains. Swelling can also cause the legs to feel heavy and uncomfortable.
You can find relief from these typical symptoms of varicose veins by wearing compression stockings and elevating your feet. However, if that doesn’t work or if only one of your legs is in pain, feeling heavy or swollen, or is retaining fluids, this can be a sign of inadequate circulation.
2. Do Your Legs Feel Heavy or Weak at the End of the Day?
Under normal circumstances, standing for an extended period should not cause your legs to feel weak, heavy, or tired. If yours do, and it happens regularly, you should contact a vein doctor to find out if there is a blockage or other problem with the veins in your legs.
3. Did You Have Vein Problems in a Previous Pregnancy and Don’t Want Them to Suffer Through the Sequel?
If the answer is yes, then we don’t have to explain to you how pregnancy can cause a strain on the circulatory system. Increased blood pressure causes extra stress on thin vein walls and out pop the varicose veins and hemorrhoids. If you had varicose veins or hemorrhoids during a previous pregnancy, talking to a vein specialist before it happens again can help you avoid them during your current one.
4. Do You Suffer from Persistent Leg Pain?
Although persistent pain can be caused by various factors like arthritis, a muscle strain, or shin splints, constant pain can be a sign of vein disease. If you suffer from never-ending pain that has no obvious cause, seeing a vein doctor can get you the answers you need and prevent more serious conditions.
5. Are There Dry, Itchy Spots Around Your Feet or Ankles?
Dry touchy skin can drive you crazy. But if it is around on your feet or ankles, then it could indicate a disruption to the circulatory system in your legs. This happens on your ankles and feet because your blood has to travel so far to get there, and sometimes it doesn’t make it. You can try using moisturizer to help relieve the discomfort, but it’s time to contact your vein doctor if it doesn’t go away.
6. Does Venous Disease Run in Your Family?
To say the link between vein disorders and veinous disease and genetics is strong would be an understatement. If one of your parents has varicose or spider veins, you have a 40% chance of getting them too. If both parents have them, your chances increase to 90%. And if you know you have a family history, be proactive.
A vein specialist can provide you with an accurate assessment of your risks and what lifestyle changes can minimize them.
7. Do You Have Sores on Your Legs That Will Not Heal?
Sores that won’t heal aren’t just annoying. They can be red flags for an underlying issue. If you notice that small bumps or cuts take longer to heal on your legs than they do on other areas of the body, then you may have a circulatory problem. A vein doctor should check out any sore that doesn’t improve after a few weeks to determine if a vein is causing the issue.
8. Are Your Varicose Veins Bleeding?
The idea of bleeding varicose veins may make you cringe, but they can also be very dangerous. A varicose vein has made an appearance because the blood in your veins is not flowing correctly. It’s getting stuck in one area and causing pressure to build up in the veins and the veins to swell, twist, or push up against the skin. If a varicose vein starts to bleed, lie down on the floor, elevate your legs higher than your heart, and call for immediate assistance from a doctor.
Why Call a Vein Doctor?
Vein doctors are medical doctors who specialize in venous disorders and vascular disease and problems with the circulatory system. This means that they are highly experienced and educated in diagnosing and treatment of varicose veins and spider veins.
Here at Denver Vein Centers, we utilize a variety of diagnostic screenings and tests to determine what is causing your symptoms. After we diagnose the problem, we create a treatment plan that uses minimally invasive techniques. We regularly use three common vein treatments: ELAS, Ambulatory Phlebectomy, and Ultrasound Guided Medical Sclerotherapy. Depending on your condition, we might use one of these techniques or combine them to make them more effective.
Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Saphenous Vein (ELAS)
ELAS is a clinically proven, FDA-approved technique that permanently eliminates varicose veins. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic and causes no damage to the surrounding tissue. The abnormal vein is closed off using a laser to redirect the blood flow through the healthy veins in the leg. This procedure leaves no scarring and has minimal downtime.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Ambulatory Phlebectomy is a method of removing very twisted varicose veins on the surface of the legs. This procedure is performed under a local anesthetic.
During treatment, the veins are removed through tiny punctures made in the skin. The incisions are so small no stitches are required, and scarring is minimal. We often combine this procedure with ELAS.
Ultrasound-Guided Medical Sclerotherapy
This treatment is a non-surgical procedure where we inject a solution into the problem veins. The solution collapses the vein walls, which redirects the blood to healthier veins. There is no scarring, and you can get back to your normal routine quickly.
Boost Your Confidence with Denver Vein Today!
Schedule your consultation, and we’ll go through the treatment options and get you back to your normal routine in no time!