Vein problems and associated venous diseases are not often in the news, but they pose a health issue for many Americans. In fact, according to the American Venous Forum, one in three adults in the United States has some form of vein disease. And even though the issues may seem minor or merely cosmetic, real health problems can occur unless you seek treatment from an experienced Manhattan vein specialist.
Veins are the pathways through which your blood flows throughout your body and back to your heart. Technically, your arteries carry blood away from your heart and veins carry blood back to your heart. Since veins are deoxygenated, the blood within them appears darker, making them dramatically more visible through your skin.
Various Venous Conditions
While the most common types of vein treatments are used to primarily treat leg veins, you can experience vein problems in other parts of your body as well. Noticeable facial veins often create an aesthetic concern. Your New York City board-certified vein doctor is not only trained in treating your facial veins, but is always concerned about your comfort and your feelings of well-being — both in her office and when you leave.
Trust your vein specialist to provide exceptional care and lasting treatment for:
When Symptoms Persist
Serious venous complications that require immediate medical attention (often in an emergency room) are called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). A DVT is a blood clot in one of your large veins, typically in your thigh, pelvis or leg. You experience warmth in the area of a DVT as well as swelling, pain and tenderness. The blockage causing the DVT can lead to a life-threatening PE.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when the blood clot from your vein breaks off and travels to your lungs. You may begin to cough blood and experience sudden chest pains. You feel short of breath and pain that gets sharper when you take deep breaths. You may pass out. Untreated PE can lead to sudden death.
More Common Chronic Vein Conditions
For many people, conditions such as facial spider veins and varicose veins in the legs are more bothersome to their appearance than anything else. After eating carefully and working out regularly, it can be quite disconcerting to have your appearance affected so drastically by unsightly veins. Sometimes, the vein problems are even exacerbated by your activities, especially from the pressure that creates muscle contractions.
For other people, vein problems can be painful. Painful chronic vein conditions that can disrupt your life cause:
- Worse pain after standing or sitting for a considerable amount of time
- Severe itching around the swollen veins
- Heavy aching in your legs
- Swelling, throbbing and burning sensations
- Bleeding
- Inflammation, ulcers or hardening veins that could signal a serious vascular disease
Risk Factors and NYC Treatments
You can do everything right to stay healthy and still develop vein problems. Some of the most common risk factors include:
- Pregnancy. Vein problems often subside within a year after you deliver.
- Aging. Veins become less elastic and more easily damaged as you get older.
- Gender. Women are more prone to vein problems, especially during hormonal changes.
- Genetics. A family history of bad veins can lead to your issues.
- Obesity. Excess weight puts additional pressure on your veins.
Your NYC vein doctor understands all the factors that go into healthy veins. She provides a safe, comfortable atmosphere where you can discuss treatment options and your ultimate goals. A few of Dr. Susan Bard’s specialties in Manhattan include:
- Laser treatments that take advantage of the newest laser technology. This non-invasive procedure gives your doctor the ability to shut off smaller veins. You do not need to undergo any needles or incisions.
- Sclerotherapy for small veins and for larger, varicose veins requires small injections of solutions that close off the vein. Both are done in your doctor’s Manhattan office.
- Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure to heat up large veins to destroy them and the pain they cause.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy is often the preferred treatment for getting rid of smaller, troublesome veins in your legs.
- VenaSeal is a cutting-edge treatment that reduces many of the side effects associated with other vein treatments.