What Is a Vein Doctor Called?

Varicose veins and spider veins are a common issue and a vein doctor who treats these issues is called a phlebologist. Many people assume they should seek vein treatment from primary care physicians, dermatologists, or cosmetic surgeons. They don’t realize that the issue is more than skin deep. Specialized vein doctors have the expertise needed to look beyond your symptoms, so they can uncover and diagnose underlying vein disease. 

What Is a Vein Doctor Called?

Again, the technical term that a vein doctor is called is a phlebologist. These physicians specialize in diseases of the veins, and they come from a variety of backgrounds. However, to truly offer the highest quality of care for vein-related issues, phlebologists must have ultrasound experience and board certification with experience in vein disease.

Can Other Types of Doctors Treat Vein Disease?

At one time, surgery was the only option for managing vein disease. Your choices were to live with the symptoms or undergo an invasive procedure with a long recovery time. Today, many different types of doctors offer vein disease treatment. Examples include vascular surgeons, practitioners of internal medicine, cardiologists, and anesthesiologists. This was made possible by significant advances in non-surgical methods of treating vein-related issues.

Though other types of doctors can treat vein disease, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. Because other specialties lack the education and experience of expert vein doctors, they are more likely to misdiagnose and simply treat symptoms instead of the underlying disease. In addition to making more accurate diagnoses, vein experts have extensive experience with the newest vein treatment methods. They have completed these procedures many, many times, and they have deep understanding when it comes to the most effective option for treating individual cases.

What Causes Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?

Vein-related issues bring up a lot of questions aside from what is a vein doctor called. Some of the most frequently asked include “What are varicose veins?”, “What are spider veins?” and “What causes varicose and spider veins?”

Varicose veins and spider veins are vessels that have become engorged with blood. The extra blood puts excessive pressure on the walls of the veins, so you begin to notice them under the surface of your skin. Varicose veins appear swollen, twisted, raised, and knotted, while spider veins resemble a web or net of blue, red, or purple vessels.

Veins become engorged and take on the characteristics of varicose veins and spider veins when they are unable to move blood effectively. Their primary job is to facilitate the flow of deoxygenated blood to your heart, so that the heart can pump it to the lungs for a new supply of oxygen. The deoxygenated blood in the lower portion of your body has to travel against the pull of gravity to reach your heart. This is made possible by a series of one-way valves in your veins. The valves open to allow blood to pass through, then they close to prevent it from leaking backwards.

Over time, your valves can wear down or be damaged, which allows blood to trickle back through and collect in the lower part of your body. This condition is referred to as venous reflux. Veins become engorged, creating high levels of pressure within the vessels. The pressure damages the walls of your veins, leading to symptoms like varicose veins and spider veins. However, the unsightly appearance of varicose and spider veins is more than a cosmetic issue. When your veins are unable to transport blood properly as a result of faulty valves, you may be suffering from a disease known as chronic venous insufficiency.

What are the Consequences of Varicose Veins and Venous Insufficiency?

Aside from an unpleasant cosmetic appearance, varicose veins and the underlying venous insufficiency can lead to significant discomfort. You may be thinking that you don’t want a vein doctor called, because your varicose veins aren’t bothering you right now. However, even if you are currently pain-free, it is likely that you will eventually develop additional symptoms.

Examples of the symptoms that may develop over time include swelling in your legs and ankles, a feeling of weakness or heaviness in your lower half, and frequent leg cramps – particularly while you are sleeping. Other common symptoms include itchiness, thickening, and discoloration of the skin, restless leg syndrome, and in severe cases, leg ulcers. It is better to call a varicose vein doctor or a spider vein doctor when you first notice the issue, so that you can obtain an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment before your symptoms worsen.

What is the Best Way to Remove Varicose Veins?

Historically, varicose veins were treated with surgery, but today’s vein treatment options are minimally invasive. Most can be completed in your vein expert’s office, and they are finished within 15 – 30 minutes. You can typically return to your normal activities same-day. Three of the most popular varicose vein treatments include the following:

• Sclerotherapy – Blocks diseased veins through the use of a medical injection. Blood is rerouted through healthy veins.
• Radio Frequency Ablation – Closes unhealthy veins with a heat-based treatment. Tissue from closed veins is eventually reabsorbed by your body, eliminating the appearance of unsightly varicose veins and spider veins.
• Venaseal (vein glue) – Seals diseased veins with a specialized vein glue.

If you have varicose veins or spider veins, don’t wait for more painful issues to develop. Consult with a dedicated vein physician right away. The experienced vein doctors at the Vein Treatment Center are devoted to your care. They will ensure that you are correctly diagnosed and that you understand all of your treatment options, so that you can work together to choose the treatment method that best fits your needs.