Why You Should Never Ignore Leg Swelling
Leg swelling might come from something passing and not harmful, but it could also signal a serious health condition. To make sure it’s not the latter, seek medical care when you notice swelling in your legs.
Today, there are plenty of minimally-invasive options available for varicose vein treatment, including ambulatory phlebectomy, laser vein treatment and radiofrequency ablation. The good news: All of these treatments can be exceptionally effective in getting rid of damaged varicose veins. Most patients experience relief from their painful varicose vein symptoms within a few days to a week or so of treatment. But that doesn’t necessarily mean those symptoms can’t or won’t recur. In fact, in a very small percentage of people, varicose veins can reform in or near the treatment site. Here’s what you can do to help prevent varicose vein recurrence after treatment.
Ambulatory phlebectomy, laser vein treatment and other state-of-the-art varicose vein procedures are all designed to either remove or “close off” the damaged vein, diverting the flow of blood to neighboring veins. Over time, veins treated with lasers or radiofrequency energy are absorbed by the body, which means those veins are gone for good. Ambulatory phlebectomy uses tiny incisions and special instruments to remove the vein during the procedure. Since the vein is gone, there’s obviously no risk of that specific vein becoming damaged in the future.
However, that doesn’t mean you won’t develop other varicose veins in the same area. In most cases, these veins occur for one of these three reasons:
You didn’t have a vein evaluation or your evaluation wasn’t thorough enough. Not all varicose vein procedures are created equal. Depending on the cause of your damaged veins, some procedures might be better than others. A vein evaluation can determine the underlying cause of your diseased veins and take other health factors into consideration, so the treatment you have will be the best one for your needs. Never skip a vein health evaluation – and be sure you select a doctor who uses the latest vein assessment technology, like Doppler ultrasound, for the most accurate results.
Your vein doctor isn’t experienced in your specific type of treatment. Or maybe the doctor is only skilled in a few types of treatments, which limits your options significantly. Ideally, you should select a vein doctor who’s skilled and experienced in a variety of techniques so you can get the best “fit” and the best results.
You have a strong family history of varicose veins or you lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Varicose veins can continue to occur throughout your life, especially if your parents or grandparents had them. Regardless of your genes, you need to lead a “vein-healthy” lifestyle to reduce the risk that new veins will become damaged. That means eating a balanced diet high in fiber and antioxidants and getting plenty of exercise, like regular walking. It also means maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the strain on your veins and the tiny valves that control your blood flow.
As a leading provider of safe, effective Cincinnati vein treatment options, Vascular and Interventional Associates Vein Center offers the most advanced varicose vein treatment options using state-of-the-art equipment. Or medical team is skilled and experienced in vein health assessments and treatments to help patients relieve painful symptoms and improve their overall vein health. To learn more about the treatment options we offer or to see some before & after photos, visit our site. Then give us a call at 859-286-7333 and schedule a consultation today.
