Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Vein Diseases

Vein disease: Advances in diagnosis and treatment by Dr. Alan Crowther/Exclusive Vein Care  

Vein disease is an extremely common problem in the U.S. It affects approximately 20% of women and 7% of men. Major risk factors for vein disease include heredity, jobs that require prolonged standing and pregnancy.

There are many consequences of vein disease both cosmetic and medical. Some people have visible veins and no symptoms.   Others suffer from various types of discomfort which may include stabbing or burning pain, a tired sensation, heavy legs, numbness, cramps, itching and restless legs. Swelling often occurs late in the day. Eventually ulcers may form in serious cases.

When the valves in veins fail, high pressure develops in the veins. This causes the veins to enlarge. Large bulging veins are called varicose veins, medium-sized veins are called reticular veins and smaller veins are called spider veins. 

In the past 10 years there have been many developments in the area of vein diagnosis and treatment. There are new techniques in imaging veins which allows much more accurate diagnosis of problems. Once problems are diagnosed there are very effective ways to treat problem veins of all sizes. 

All of these methods involve closing off or removing problem veins in much more efficient and less painful ways than were previously available. 

The typical methods of treatment include closing the large veins with lasers and then removing bulging veins through tiny incisions or injecting them with medication that will cause them to close. Small and medium sized veins are usually treated with injections. There is usually prompt relief of most symptoms after the large veins have been closed or removed.

Patients are able to return to work in one or two days after large veins have been treated and are able to walk immediately. One may return to work promptly after cosmetic vein treatment.

It would seem that closed or removing veins would cause circulation problem but in fact circulation improves. Blood that had been going in the wrong direction in the problem veins is channeled into veins that function properly. 

In summary, new developments in vein treatment allow those with vein problems to be treated much more quickly and with much less discomfort than in the past. 

Dr. Alan Crowther of Exclusive Vein Care is offering free varicose vein screening at his office in the LaArcata Center on N. Loop 1604 just east of Stone Oak Parkway. Call now for your appt. (210)494-4694.