When we have any type of medical problem or concern, we all want the best care and this usually means looking for a medical specialist. However, this can be confusing if one doesn’t know the medical term for the type of specialist needed. When searching for the branch of medicine that deals with vein problems we need to know the word Phlebology.
A Phlebologist is a specialist who is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vein disorders or conditions. These can range in severity and complexity, but some of the more common vein conditions involve spider veins and varicose veins. Because these two conditions are so common, we see a lot of advertising for the treatment of these problems. Newly developed or expanded treatment options for many vein problems, including varicose veins, now exist.
How common is vein disease? Estimates are that over 80 million Americans suffer from some form of vein disorder and the spectrum of these disorders is extremely broad. Spider veins, which occur in more than 40 percent of all women, are a cosmetic nuisance, but infrequently cause symptoms while large leg varicosities can cause achiness, tired legs, swelling and even skin ulceration. When problems occur in the deep muscular veins, such as blood clots, the clinical symptoms can be far worse. In this situation, the leg swelling can be massive and if the blood clots travel to the lungs the consequences can be fatal. Even though vein disease is very prevalent and some of the clinical consequences are devastating, it is poorly understood by the public—it is most often thought of as a cosmetic Disease affecting pregnant women.
This, however, is far from true. Men are affected almost as often as women and frequently have more severe clinical presentations.
Recent advancements in technology have made it possible to treat all types of venous disease in A minimally-invasive fashion. These state-of-the-art image guided techniques, performed by vein specialists allow patients to return to their normal routine with minimal discomfort. If you are a patient seeking answers to questions about vein care, vein (venous) diseases, or vein treatment options and you need to locate a phlebologist, the best resource is the American College of Phlebology. The American College of Phlebology, or ACP, is a medical society of vein care professionals dedicated to advancing vein care. Many ACP members are medical practitioners who treat venous disease in patients including men, women, children and the elderly. Other ACP members are actively involved in new research, which has sparked the surge in a variety of new treatment methods available today.
Some new treatment methods are related to technology and others are related to medications. So many patients with vein problems can benefit from treatment or lifestyle changes but may not know such things exist. The ACP has recently launched an awareness campaign to inform the public about vein disease and what can be done to help the patient with vein disease. The core message is vein care made understandable. In this outreach program funded by a grant from the ACP Foundation, a variety of methods will be used to educate the public, including patient-focused websites, social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn, print material, videos, and other marketing channels.
The ACP will continue these educational efforts so patients suffering from venous disease will recognize the benefits of seeking care through a vein care specialist. The following overview of vein disease will undoubtedly enhance your understanding of venous disease, prevention and treatment options. For further information about your veins, ask a vein specialist—a Phlebologist.
