What is a Varicose Vein Specialist Called? And Other FAQs About Vein Doctors

What type of doctor treats varicose veins?

The type of doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins is officially known as a “phlebologist.” But you can call them vein doctors, vein specialists, vein experts, vein physicians, or vascular doctors. Vein doctors can come from all fields of medicine, such as dermatology, cardiology, anesthesiology, internal medicine, etc. Most physicians need to complete a few simple written examinations to call themselves phlebologists, so the barrier to entry into vein care is pretty low.

To find the best vein doctors in your region, you must look for board-certified vein specialists. The American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine officially certifies the country’s top 1% of vein doctors for their contributions to vein care. To get board-certified, vein doctors must complete challenging residency programs and fellowships in fields related to vein care, and they must stay abreast of the latest developments in vein care.

When looking for board-certified vein doctors, you can rest assured that your vein care is handled by the country’s best experts. Our state-of-the-art vein treatment clinics are always led by Harvard-trained and board-certified vein doctors with years of specialized training in vascular imaging and the latest minimally invasive spider vein and varicose vein treatments. Furthermore, our vein doctors always diagnose the root cause of your vein problems before curating a personalized treatment plan, ensuring optimal results.

Varicose veins vs. spider veins: what’s the difference?

People are often confused about the difference between varicose veins and spider veins. While both spider and varicose veins are damaged blood vessels visible on the skin’s surface, usually indicative of poor blood circulation, they’re slightly different. Spider veins are dense clusters of damaged blood vessels and broken capillaries that appear just underneath the skin’s surface — they’re extremely thin and don’t bulge outwards. Varicose veins are dense blood vessels that protrude from the skin’s surface in a twisted, knotted, and tangled form.

Why do varicose veins form?

Spider veins and varicose veins are symptomatic of chronic venous insufficiency, a dangerous underlying circulatory disorder. Healthy veins contain valves that act as one-way doors, allowing blood to flow towards the heart but not backward due to gravity. Chronic venous insufficiency is a medical condition wherein the vein valves malfunction or collapse, leading to backward blood circulation due to gravity. Over time, blood accumulates in the leg veins, leading to increased vascular dilation and the formation of spider and varicose veins.

What are the signs indicating I need to see a vascular doctor?

You need to see a vascular doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, the root cause of most vein problems. The earliest signs of vein disease are fairly mild and benign, such as leg heaviness, restless leg syndrome, frequent leg cramps, and leg pain, especially at the end of the day or after long periods of sitting or standing. The first visible signs of vein disease are usually spider veins, following which you may also develop varicose veins. If you don’t seek treatment promptly, you may also notice leg ulcers, skin discoloration, and the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. If you notice any signs and symptoms, please visit your nearest vein doctor.

What are the best treatments for varicose veins in the legs?

If you have varicose veins in your legs, you must consult a vein doctor specializing in minimally invasive spider vein and varicose vein treatments. The vein doctor will administer duplex ultrasound tests to visualize the blood flow in your leg veins, following which they’ll curate a personalized treatment plan. If you have underlying chronic venous insufficiency, your vein treatment plan may start with radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser ablation — these procedures channel thermal or laser energy to close and destroy the diseased vein.

Once the diseased vein is closed, the accumulated blood automatically reroutes into healthier leg veins, restoring optimal blood circulation to the heart. But if you don’t have chronic venous insufficiency, the vein doctor may recommend foam sclerotherapy, ambulatory phlebectomy, or sclerotherapy to remove the superficial varicose veins and spider veins. During ambulatory phlebectomy, the vein doctor manually removes the varicose veins through small incisions on the skin’s surface. You can resume your daily activities immediately.

Vein Treatment Clinic is a state-of-the-art spider vein and varicose vein treatment center specializing in cutting-edge minimally invasive vein treatments. Our medical center is led by Harvard-trained and board-certified vascular vein doctors. If you have the signs and symptoms of vein disease, please schedule an appointment at your nearest vein clinic in Maryland, New York, Long Island, New Jersey, or California today.