Understanding Your Options for Treating Damaged Veins

Your body is filled with veins and arteries that transport blood to and from your heart. Your blood delivers life-giving oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and bone tissues. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart, and veins bring blood back to your heart. Veins have one-way valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction.

Yet nearly 40% of women and 20% of men over the age of 50 suffer from damaged veins. When your veins are damaged, the valves don’t work properly, causing blood to flow backward and pool in your legs. Damaged veins can cause swelling, pain, and unsightly legs. They can severely impact your quality of life and put you at greater risk for developing dangerous blood clots.

Led by Dr. Clement Banda, our team here at MD Vein & Skin Specialists treats patients suffering from a variety of vein conditions — varicose veins, spider veins, and more. We offer the latest treatment methods and minimally invasive procedures to help you find the best vein treatment option for your lifestyle.

Lifestyle changes to treat vein disorders

Many factors contribute to vein problems. You’re more likely to suffer from vein damage if:

• You’re over 50 years old
• You’re obese
• You’re pregnant
• You have a family history of vein damage
• You smoke
• You have a history of blood clots

Regardless of the reasons behind your vein disorder, seeking proper treatment is essential. When you come to MD Vein & Skin Specialists, we evaluate your condition and medical history to find the best possible treatment options for you.

To start, Dr. Banda may recommend lifestyle changes to help manage and treat your vein condition. We often recommend supportive hosiery, like compression socks, to prevent swelling and decrease your risk of developing blood clots.

We may recommend that you lose weight and implement a safe, regular exercise routine to strengthen your body and improve blood flow. It’s also important to move your feet and legs regularly when sitting for long periods of time, when you’re at work or traveling, for instance.

Sclerotherapy and endovenous ablation to treat damaged veins

In some cases, lifestyle changes aren’t enough to treat your vein damage. Dr. Banda may prescribe medication, and be sure to follow all instructions regarding your prescription. Anti-inflammatories can reduce swelling and relieve pain caused by vein damage, while blood thinners can reduce your risk of blood clots.

Sometimes surgery is necessary to treat damaged veins. Dr. Banda may recommend sclerotherapy or endovenous ablation to remove or close a damaged vein. Minimally invasive procedures like these can treat damaged veins by preventing blood from accumulating there.

Sclerotherapy is a popular treatment for varicose veins and spider veins. With sclerotherapy, Dr. Banda injects a salt solution into the damaged vein. The solution causes the vein to close, preventing blood from flowing through it and getting trapped.

With endovenous ablation, Dr. Banda uses laser or radiofrequency technology to target the damaged vein and destroy it. This eliminates blood flow through the vein.

Most vein treatment procedures are minimally invasive and use local anesthesia. After vein surgery, your blood finds other, healthy veins to travel through, eliminating the need for the damaged vein. In the weeks following your procedure, you can expect pain and swelling to subside as your body heals.

Damaged veins are painful and put you at risk for developing more serious health conditions. Find the best vein treatment plan for your needs with Dr. Banda and our team at MD Vein & Skin Specialists. Call our office or schedule a consultation online today.