Understanding Your Venous Disease and the Possible Treatments

Updated on: August 18, 2014

Many physicians will agree that a knowledgeable patient will have a better chance of success than a patient who does not understand their ailment. Patients in the Flint, Michigan area will discover that with resources such as highly trained and skilled medical professionals at their disposal, they have the opportunity to pick their brain and ask questions about the condition and its possible solutions. However, a basic understanding of venous diseases can help guide the patient's questions in the right direction and give them a head start when trying to understand the disease that is bothering them.

Two of the most common venous diseases are spider veins and varicose veins. Spider veins are smaller and are not painful, while varicose veins are big and bulky and can be quite painful. Both conditions can cause a great deal of embarrassment and even affect how the patient lives their life. They may feel so embarrassed by these conditions that they avoid situations where shorts are required and may even allow it to affect their personal life. Tackling these conditions is important to those who find that venous diseases are dictating even a small portion of their life.

Patients with spider veins should discuss all possible treatment options with their physician or vein specialist, but one trusted treatment for patients with spider veins is sclerotherapy. Spider veins are closer to the surface of the skin and consist of several small veins that converge on a dark central point. They may also take on the shape of several tree branches jutting in all directions. Other patterns may also exist and patients should confirm their diagnosis of spider veins with a vein specialist before beginning any treatment. Sclerotherapy is a procedure that involves the injection of a solution that causes spider veins to collapse and eventually fade. Sclerotherapy may also be helpful in relieving other symptoms of spider veins including aching, burning, swelling and cramps.

Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is a variation of sclerotherapy that uses duplex ultrasound technology to locate the problem vein and guide the injections. This procedure has been found to be successful for many patients and interested patients should speak to their doctor about this procedure.

Patients that suffer from varicose veins have several options when seeking treatment. Endovenous laser ablation is a process that involves laser energy that shrinks and collapses the vein walls, redirecting the flow of blood away from the problem vein. Still, some physicians may recommend varicose vein surgery, which involves surgically stripping the varicose veins from the patient's legs. This procedure may leave scars, however, which may be unattractive to some patients.

Patients suffering from venous diseases in the Flint, Michigan area should consult a specialist at a vein treatment clinic in the area. A physician will prove to be the best resource for information regarding the disease and possible treatments. Patients should be sure to discuss the possible risks and side effects associated with their treatments as well. This will help both the patient and physician better decide which treatment will best suit the patient.

There are several options patients have beyond sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation and varicose vein surgery including laser and light therapy, VNUS and wearing compression stockings that may help alleviate these conditions.

Learn more about endovenous laser ablation in Flint, Michigan.

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