Thursday, September 24, 2015

About Vein Disease

Did you know one in three Americans over the age of 45 will have some type of vein disease? Your vascular system, consisting of your veins, play an important role in circulating blood throughout your body and back to your heart. As you age, problems in your veins can develop and create a variety of issues, from cosmetic to more serious complications.

It is important to be aware of the different types of vein disease, as well as recognizing early symptoms so that you may seek medical advice right away. This blog will look at answering some of the frequently asked questions about vein disease.

Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Symptoms of vein disease include legs that feel tired, heavy, restless, painful, and sore. Some people may experience throbbing, leg cramps, swelling, and varicose veins.

Q: Aren’t varicose veins just a cosmetic problem?
A: Actually, no! Although the physical appearance aspect is one of the top concerns for most people when it comes to varicose veins, this disease comes with a host of other complications, including pain, swelling, phlebitis, and sometimes even hemorrhage. Also known as venous insufficiency, varicose veins are a widely recognized diseased and most insurances will cover the treatment.

Q: What will treat varicose veins?
A: At Pacific Vein Care, we have specialized training in venous disease treatments and use sclerotherapy techniques to treat venous insufficiency. A concern of many patients is that their varicose veins will return. This is not true if sclerotherapy is done correctly and with the most effective sclerosant. Pacific Vein Care uses a sclerosant called Polidocanol, which is highly effective and painless. We also use Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment, which uses a catheter with a heated tip to shrink varicose veins. Blood then naturally gets diverted to your healthy veins instead! Recurrence following this treatment is only two to three percent!

If symptoms are ignored and vein disease left untreated, it can lead to bigger complications, such as leg ulcers. At Pacific Vein Care, we can diagnose your vein disease using venous ultrasound, and from there formulate a treatment strategy customized to your particular venous issue. Contact Pacific Vein Care at 815-759-2368 to schedule your consultation today or visit our website, and you’ll be on the road to healthy legs for life!