Your Doctor Can Treat Symptoms Of Damaged Veins

Damaged veins can cause pain and a reduced quality of life. They can also be a warning sign of a dangerous blood clot, or deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), which can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. If you have a severe or persistent problem with swollen, knotted clusters of purple veins in your legs, or you're experiencing heaviness, swelling and itching in your leg, see a doctor right away to receive treatment for chronic venous disease (CVI).

Veins are one-way valve systems that stop blood from flowing backward, allowing it to flow up toward the heart. Varicose damaged veins in legs form when these valves wear out, causing the walls of the vein to stretch and enlarge. Most often, varicose veins appear in the legs, which are farther from the heart than those in the arms. This is because veins in the legs are subject to more stress from gravity than those in the arms. Varicose veins and other forms of CVI are not life-threatening, but they can lead to a diminished quality of life and can increase your risk of serious medical conditions such as venous ulcers.

Your doctor can treat symptoms of damaged veins with anti-inflammatories and prescription blood thinners, which can help reduce fluid buildup and decrease your chances of a blood clot. If these aren't enough, your doctor may recommend a minimally invasive surgery to remove or close a damaged vein. Center For Advanced Vein Care specialists offer a number of different vein treatments, including sclerotherapy and endovenous ablation, both of which are performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia.

In sclerotherapy, your doctor injects a chemical into the damaged vein that causes it to close and block blood from flowing through it. Over time, the body reroutes blood through healthy veins and the closed vein shrivels up and disappears. This is a common procedure for spider and varicose veins.

For larger varicose veins, your doctor can use a catheter-based technique called radiofrequency or laser ablation to heat the tip of the enlarged vein and destroy it. This procedure is usually reserved for cases that don't respond to other treatments.

For venous ulcers, your doctor might recommend surgery to cut out the faulty vein. This is typically done through small punctures that don't require stitches, with a metal hook or thin plastic tube inserted into the damaged vein. The vein is then removed, and blood flows to healthy veins in the area. Over time, the ulcer will fade and heal. If you're interested in pursuing vein treatments, find a specialist in your region, such as a dermatologist or an interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon who specializes in veins. Ask your doctor what procedures they have experience performing, and make sure they have proper training in this area. This will ensure your safety during the procedure. You'll also want to find out how long the procedure will take and if they have a facility that can address any unexpected findings during your treatment.