A vein specialist, also known as a phlebologist, is a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating vein disorders. Phlebologists typically work on the legs, as these are the most common areas for vein issues, but they can treat any vein issues on the body. Vein specialists typically focus on conditions such as varicose veins, spider veins, chronic venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, and venous ulcers. Let’s look into each of these vein disorders and how they are treated by a vein specialist.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear on the legs. This vein condition can cause discomfort or pain.

Home treatments may reduce symptoms, improve appearance, and prevent complications from varicose veins. The best ways to treat varicose veins at home are to wear compression stockings, elevate your legs or affected area, avoid long periods of sitting or standing, and get plenty of exercise.

Sometimes, home treatments aren’t enough to take care of varicose veins, this is when treatment from a vein specialist is needed. There are a few different ways that vein specialists can treat varicose veins.

• Phlebologists can perform laser treatment on your varicose veins. Laser energy is used to scar and destroy varicose veins, known as ablation.
• Another treatment that can be used is ligation and stripping. This process includes making incisions over the varicose vein, tying it off, and removing it.
• Phlebectomy is also another form of treatment in which many tiny cuts are made in the skin to remove the varicose vein, also known as stab avulsion.
• Radiofrequency treatment uses radiofrequency energy inside of the varicose vein to scar it and close it off, this treatment can be used to close off large varicose veins.
• Another form of treatment is sclerotherapy in which a chemical is injected into the varicose vein to damage the lining of the vein, leading to the vein closing. This treatment works best for smaller veins.

Spider Veins

Spider veins are small veins typically red, purple, or blue which are visible on the surface of the skin. These veins are damaged blood vessels just under the skin and are usually harmless.

Spider veins require professional treatment from a phlebologist to completely disappear, but there are a few ways you can prevent them or reduce their appearance at home. The best ways to prevent or treat spider veins at home include wearing compression stockings, wearing sunscreen, regularly exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding excessive heat.

To completely remove the appearance of spider veins, a vein specialist will need to provide professional treatment. There are a few treatment options when it comes to reducing the appearance of spider veins or removing them.

• Sclerotherapy can also be used to treat spider veins and is minimally invasive. The chemical injected into the spider veins will cause the veins to stick together and shrivel up.
• Another form of treatment for spider veins is closure system therapy. This treatment also involves injecting a substance into the veins which seals off the vein from blood flow. This process causes the vein to shrink and fade, reducing the appearance of the spider veins.
• Laser treatment can also be used for spider veins and is especially effective for tiny veins that are close to the surface of the skin. This treatment causes the spider veins to dry up, removing the appearance of them.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins are damaged and have trouble sending blood from the legs back to the heart. This condition can lead to swelling, skin changes, and ulcers due to the pressure from poor blood circulation.

Depending on how far your condition has progressed, you may be able to treat this with compression stockings, leg elevation, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular exercise.

If your chronic venous insufficiency worsens or is already in poor condition, a vein specialist will need to treat the condition. There are a few treatment options for chronic venous insufficiency provided by a vein specialist.

• Medications can be prescribed by your doctor to help clear infections, treat ulcers, treat and prevent blood clots, and relieve the affected area. Antibiotics, anticoagulants, and medicated wraps may all be provided to treat chronic venous insufficiency.
• Sclerotherapy can also be used to treat this condition. A vein specialist injects a chemical to collapse the vein, treating the issue.
• Endovenous thermal ablation targets large veins with a laser or high-frequency radio waves to create intense heat. The heat causes the diseased veins to close up, but leaves it in place to minimize bleeding or bruising.
• Another form of treatment includes ligation and stripping, which are performed together. A phlebologist will cut and tie off veins with issues.
• Microincision, also known as ambulatory phlebectomy, is a minimally invasive procedure in which affected veins near the surface of the skin are removed. Small incisions are made in the skin to remove the problem veins.
• Another way to treat chronic venous insufficiency is through subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery. This procedure is minimally invasive and uses a clip to block off damaged veins to stop the blood flow. This procedure also helps ulcers heal and prevents them from returning.
• A vein bypass is another type of treatment that can be used by a vein specialist. This procedure includes taking parts of a healthy vein from somewhere else in the body and using it to reroute blood around the damaged veins. This method is typically only used in severe cases when other treatment options haven’t been effective.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a serious vein condition where blood clots form in deep veins, typically in the legs. This vein condition can be life-threatening if the blood clot travels to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism. There are two main types of deep vein thrombosis; acute and chronic, each one is treated differently.

Acute deep vein thrombosis treatment is based on the size of the clot and how long it has been present in the veins.

• Medication, such as anticoagulants, may be prescribed by your vein specialist. These medications are blood thinners that allow blood to flow around a trapped clot while also preventing the clot from traveling to the lungs.
• An inferior vena cava filter may also be used for treatment by a phlebologist. This filter is implanted in the inferior vena cava, the large vein that returns blood back to the heart. The filter works by allowing blood to flow around the clot and preventing the clot from moving towards the lungs.
• Symptomatic acute deep vein thrombosis can be treated with a procedure called deep vein thrombosis thrombolysis. This procedure is used to rapidly reduce symptoms and remove large clots from deep veins. Thrombolysis involves inserting a small catheter into the affected area where clot-dissolving medications as well as medical devices can be inserted to treat the veins.

Chronic deep vein thrombosis is when the clots in the veins are over one to two months old. The clot becomes harder and scars the veins over time, making the vein smaller and reducing blood flow. There are few treatment options for chronic deep vein thrombosis that a vein specialist may use.

• Metal stents may be placed in the problem veins to keep them open by your vein specialist. These stents allow for blood to more easily flow around the clot.
• Anticoagulants, a blood thinning medication, may also be used to help blood flow as well as preventing the clot from growing or the formation of new clots.
• Another medication, thrombolytics, may be used in treatment for chronic deep vein thrombosis. This medication can dissolve blood clots quickly, over a period of a few days.
• A vena cava filter may also be inserted in the large vein that returns blood to the heart. This filter allows for blood flow around the clot while also preventing the clot from traveling to the lungs.
• Another form of treatment used by vein specialists is angioplasty, which opens the narrow or blocked veins. This procedure uses a medical balloon to widen the problem veins, improving blood flow.

Conclusion

Vein specialists help with preventive measures, like lifestyle changes or recommending medications to manage venous conditions. If your venous condition is poor or worsening, you may need treatment from a vein specialist. Phlebologists can effectively treat conditions such as varicose veins, spider veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and deep vein thrombosis. Don’t let your vein conditions worsen as they can lead to larger issues, especially in the cases of chronic venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis. A vein specialist will help you remedy these issues through medication, vein therapy, or surgical procedures.