December 14, 2022
As we age, it is important to stay up to date on the health of our veins. With regular health screenings, cosmetic treatment, and professional diagnosis of serious concerns, a vein specialist can help patients prevent serious vein-related health events. Cardiovascular Institute of the South can connect you with a vein doctor in Lafayette or at one of our many locations throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. These specialists can help recognize and diagnose a variety of venous issues and offer treatment solutions. The following conditions include cardiovascular issues that your vein doctor in Lafayette can address.
Chronic venous insufficiency affects one in every 20 adults. Due to injury, malformation, or other medical issues, the valves within your legs may not work properly. This condition can cause your blood to flow back to the heart or pool in your legs.
Symptoms of venous insufficiency include:
Your vein doctor in Lafayette can use careful examination and image testing to diagnose this condition. Once diagnosed, your vein doctor may prescribe treatment or medication. This depends on how far your venous insufficiency has advanced.
Lifestyle changes, including exercise and weight management, can help to alleviate pressure on the lower extremities. Some patients may use medication and compression therapy to help increase blood flow and prevent blood clotting. In the case of a blocked vein, bypass surgery may be used to reroute blood flow. Thermal ablation or sclerotherapy are also effective methods for blocking off an underperforming vein.
While veins are typically barely noticeable beneath the skin, visible leg veins may form as a result of age, weight, lifestyle choices, or other health conditions. Spider veins, or petite web-like veins, may develop due to excess blood pressure in the legs. These small veins rarely appear with other symptoms and are usually just a cosmetic concern. However, it is important to consult with a professional to ensure that these veins are not linked to other venous issues.
Varicose veins are large, gnarled veins that bulge from the skin. These veins may be accompanied by soreness in the legs or itchiness where they protrude. Varicose veins may be indicative of a more serious condition, such as deep vein thrombosis.
Whether for cosmetic or health purposes, Cardiovascular Institute of the South’s Leg & Vein Center specialists offer treatments to help reduce the appearance of these leg veins. A variety of treatments can be utilized to close off the affected veins, causing them to shrink and disappear into the veins. These treatments include:
Reach out to our doctors today for diagnostic testing and treatment of visible leg veins.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, aging, and other factors can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Blood vessels in the lower extremities may narrow or become blocked. Because of this, it is much more difficult for the blood vessels to transport blood from the heart to the legs. This is a condition called peripheral artery disease, and it may lead to pain in the legs or hip. In some cases, patients may develop hair loss or ulcers in the legs or even muscle atrophy.
At Cardiovascular Institute of the South, we diagnose PAD through physical examination, noninvasive testing, and image testing. To manage symptoms and improve the health of your arteries, your doctor may recommend medication to manage cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. In serious cases, surgical treatment may be utilized to reopen a blocked or narrowed vein.
Faint blue superficial veins sit just a few millimeters below the skin. Deep veins, on the other hand, are located further within the body in the muscles. These larger, thicker veins are responsible for holding and transporting approximately 90% of the blood that travels to the heart.
Due to obesity, inflammatory disease, injury, clotting disorders, or other risk factors, the blood cells flowing within these deep veins can coagulate. This can form a thrombus, or a blood clot, within the vein. This sticky mass of blood cells can then stick to the walls of the vein and prevent blood flow, causing a condition called deep vein thrombosis.
While this condition may not have noticeable symptoms, it is often accompanied by pain or soreness in the leg and skin that is red or warm to the touch. DVT also poses several risks for detrimental health events. Postphlebitic syndrome may develop as a result of DVT, which can cause sores, pain, or skin discoloration in the legs. If this blood clot breaks loose, it can travel through the vein into the lungs, causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Using imaging and blood tests or venography, your vein doctor in Lafayette can detect signs of DVT. Treatment, including blood thinners or inferior vena cava filters, can help to prevent blood clots from forming or prevent existing ones from traveling to the lungs.
Cardiovascular Institute of the South is proud to serve patients in Louisiana and Mississippi. With over 20 clinic locations, you can find the care you need close to home. Whether you are interested in a vein screening or treatment options for current conditions, our cardiovascular specialists are here to help. New and existing patients may request an appointment online with a vein doctor in your area. We look forward to helping you understand and improve your vein health.