Before treatment for varicose veins in Orlando can be addressed, Dr. Bragg wants you to know the reason behind requiring treatment. If you remember back to your elementary school science class, our circulatory system is a complicated network comprised of the heart, veins, and arteries carrying blood to and from the heart. Arteries pump oxygenated blood throughout the body, and veins return blood back to the heart. Valves work within the vessels to control blood flow and, in essence, help to maintain steady pressure.
When the valves stop working properly, whether as a result of genetics, age, pregnancy, immobility, or obesity, etc., the blood begins to pool behind the valve. The pooling causes the veins to swell, and, eventually, bulge towards the skin’s surface. Appropriate circulation is diminished and the symptoms of varicose veins become apparent. In addition to swelling, patients complain of achiness and fatigue in the affected limb, itchiness, cramping, and discoloration of the skin.
Surgical removal of the vein, also called vein stripping, is when the diseased vein is tied off and removed from the leg either through an incision in the groin or behind the knee, or both. This treatment requires general anesthesia and is now only performed in certain cases.
Sclerotherapy combines ultrasound guidance with injections of liquid or foam into the diseased vein. The injections promote the collapse of the veins, which are ultimately reabsorbed by the body. In essence, they are removed.
Another minimally-invasive treatment includes radio-wave or radio-frequency ablation of the superficial vein. Guided through a small catheter, the radio-wave energy is introduced through a small incision in the affected vein, resulting in the vein being sealed off through the heat generated. Endovenous laser therapy is also a form of ablation. However, as its name suggests, a laser pulse is used to generate the heat required to seal off the damaged vein. In all cases, when the vein is closed off, the body adjusts and reroutes the blood supply to nearby vessels.
Dr. Bragg states “The most frequently asked question by patients is ‘If you take out the veins, or shut them down to be reabsorbed into my body, will my circulation get worse?’” He explains that “Circulation will actually improve because only the damaged veins with the leaky valves are removed. Compare it to having a leaky pipe in your home that just can’t be repaired. When you turn off the water to that area, the water pressure throughout the house improves.”
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of varicose veins please, don’t wait to seek medical advice. There are several treatment options for varicose veins in Orlando. Call us at 407-805-8989 schedule an appointment to come in for a consultation. Dr. Bragg and his staff want to help restore your vein health to function at its best. Live the life you want to live!
