Are you dealing with swollen, aching legs because of varicose veins? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Varicose veins, a result of venous reflux disease, are an incredibly common condition with 25 million people suffering from venous reflux disease in the US. You don’t have to look far to find someone who shares your experiences. You also don’t have to look far to find a quality vascular physician in Orlando. Dr. John D. Horowitz at Central Florida Vein & Vascular Center has dedicated himself to delivering quality vein care to those who are suffering from venous insufficiency. The procedures offered are minimally invasive with quick recovery times, so you can get back to feeling great about your legs ASAP.
Venous reflux disease can be unpleasant. The valves in your veins need to be strong in order to pump blood through your body. When these valves are damaged or weaken, they lose their ability to properly circulate blood. This happens most often in the legs, where veins need to work harder to push blood upward against the flow of gravity. As a result, blood pools in the veins and causes them to swell, resulting in varicose veins. Not only can varicose veins be a cosmetic nuisance, but they are often painful as well. Varicose veins may cause legs to itch, ache, and feel heavy.
There are a variety of ways to treat the symptoms of varicose veins so that you can experience some much-needed relief. A daily walk can greatly improve your circulation by strengthening your heart and your vein valves. Compression stockings apply gradual pressure to the leg to help keep blood from pooling in the veins. Elevating your legs can also offer some relief from symptoms. However, depending on the severity of your varicose veins, a medical procedure may be necessary. If veins continue to deteriorate, blood clots may form. These blood clots can travel to your lungs and cause a pulmonary aneurysm, so it’s important to get a head start on treatment to avoid the worst-case scenario. Don’t hesitate to drop in and see a specialist if your varicose veins keep bothering you.
Venous insufficiency may also lead to spider veins. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins are considered to be a cosmetic issue and rarely lead to any larger health concerns. These veins rest closer to the skin and resemble tree branches or spider webs. While they normally do not cause discomfort, they can make some individuals feel self-conscious. Procedures are still available to minimize the appearance of spider veins so that you can feel confident with your appearance.
Treatments for Venous Reflux Disease
The treatments for varicose veins and venous reflux disease aren’t anywhere near as unpleasant as they used to be. Before, varicose veins were treated through vein stripping. A wire was inserted into the vein in order to remove it from the leg. Anesthesia was administered for the procedure, and patients were kept overnight to monitor their condition. While vein stripping is still necessary for some patients, it is now the norm to use minimally invasive procedures that aren’t as stressful for the patient.
Endovenous Laser Treatment
Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) has become the standard substitute for vein stripping. Unlike the old procedures, where the goal was to remove the vein, EVLT aims to close the damaged vein. A small tube or catheter is inserted into the vein, and then heat is applied that seals the vein shut. This causes no damage to circulation; the closed vein only handles less than 5% of the body’s blood flow. That bit of blood is automatically moved to healthy veins. The procedure doesn’t even require general anesthesia. Only local anesthesia is used in order to numb the area. This minimally invasive procedure also has a short recovery period. Patients can walk after the procedure, and most patients are able to return to work the next day, making it an easy treatment to fit into a busy schedule!
Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy
Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (UGS) is a needle-based technology that gets rid of those pesky medium and large veins after they’ve been closed without stripping the vein. This procedure uses an ultrasound to track down the vein and guide the needle to the correct location. A foamy solution is injected into the vein, which causes a chemical reaction that collapses the vein. The vein is then absorbed into the body and is effectively removed without any scarring. Two or three treatments are usually needed for best results. Patients are able to enjoy healthy, beautiful legs again afterward.
Spider Vein Sclerotherapy
Although spider veins are rarely a health concern, these veins can still cause some to feel self-conscious. Spider vein sclerotherapy has been proven effective, thus its long-term use. This procedure has been around since the 1930’s! It aims to minimize the appearance of spider veins, rather than get rid of them completely. A sclerosing agent is injected into the vein by a vascular physician in Orlando, which irritates the blood vessels. This causes the vessels to scar and eventually fade.
Veinlite Sclerotherapy
Veinlite sclerotherapy is guided by veinlite and primarily used for venous reflux situated closer to the skin’s surface. The veinlite illuminates the vein and allows the surgeon to find veins that are close to the surface of the skin, yet not visible to the human eye. As with other sclerotherapy procedures, finding the proper location is imperative for best results. The solution has to be injected into the correct place in order to avoid reoccurrence.
Advancements in medicine are happening constantly, and treatments for venous reflux have improved drastically over the years. These minimally invasive procedures allow you to get back on your feet and feel great about your legs with minimal discomfort. These procedures are performed at Central Florida Vein & Vascular Center by physicians who have dedicated themselves to venous insufficiency, so you know you’ll be in good hands with our knowledgeable team of vascular physicians in Orlando. Call us today at 407-545-3385 or 352-658-5547 to schedule your consultation, and we’ll put together the treatment plan that will work best for improving your venous health.
