Venous disease affects about 15% of Americans. Symptoms include varicose veins and deep-vein thrombophlebitis. At Advanced Vascular Institute, LLC, in Panama City, Florida, Ahmed Farag, MD, specializes in treating venous diseases, including varicose veins, superficial thrombophlebitis, and deep-vein thrombophlebitis. Call Advanced Vascular Institute, LLC, to schedule venous disease and varicose vein treatment, or book your appointment online today.
What is venous disease?
Venous disease is an umbrella term for various conditions that damage the veins. There are several types, but the most common is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). If you have CVI, the veins (particularly those in your legs and feet) stop working as they should.
Specifically, the small valves inside your veins responsible for pumping blood back to your heart become damaged, causing blood to flow backward and pool. This places undue pressure on your leg veins, resulting in various symptoms, including varicose veins, swelling, slow-healing ulcers (open wounds), and blood clots.
What are the symptoms of venous disease?
Venous disease symptoms include:
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen veins that are purple, red, or green. They trigger a variety of symptoms, including leg cramps, skin discoloration, and itchy skin. Without treatment, they increase the risk of vascular ulcers –– slow-healing wounds that form on the lower extremities.
Superficial thrombophlebitis
Superficial thrombophlebitis causes red, cord-like veins to form beneath the skin. These veins are painful and swollen and the result of a blood clot.
Deep-vein thrombophlebitis
Deep-vein thrombophlebitis occurs when a blood clot forms deep inside a vein. Because of the blood clot’s location, it increases the risk of potentially serious complications.
How are venous disease/varicose veins diagnosed?
Several tests can diagnose venous disease and varicose vein causes, including:
X-ray fluoroscopy
Before this test, a contrast material is injected into a vein (or multiple veins). The contrast material lights up on X-rays, displaying damaged vein valves and/or narrow or clogged veins.
Venous ultrasound
Venous ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to view your veins in real time. This assesses your circulation and highlights potential problems, like damaged vein valves or blood clots.
How are venous disease and varicose veins treated?
Dr. Farag treats venous disease and varicose veins using an integrative and minimally invasive approach. He could suggest:
Dr. Farag might recommend high ligation and vein stripping if you have multiple varicose veins. This minimally invasive procedure removes varicose veins with a series of small incisions, allowing blood to reroute to healthier veins deep inside your legs.
Call Advanced Vascular Institute, LLC, to schedule venous disease and varicose vein treatment, or book your appointment online today.