Understanding the Truths Behind Venous Reflux
Having to swell after you get into an accident or undergo surgery is really nothing to worry about. However, if you are suffering from leg swelling for no rhyme or reason, you may be suffering from an underlying condition called venous reflux. This article will help you gain a better understanding of this vein disease.
What Is Venous Reflux?
You may not know this, but your body is composed of more than 60% water— including your blood. Which means that if one of the veins or valves in your body becomes weak, blood can collect and pool in the lower part of your legs, which builds up the pressure, and causes water that would normally be absorbed to remain in your legs— leaving you with a massive amount of inflammation.
How Is It Treated?
To start out, we encourage our patients to elevate their legs to see if they can get the swelling to calm down or subside altogether. If you get some relief from your swelling, but it comes back as soon as you stand up again or apply pressure to your legs, then we may need to start treatment.
Treatment options include the following:
- Compression Stockings: Typically before we consider laser or surgery as an option, we like our patients to try compression stockings for about a month. The pressure from the stockings should help to drastically alleviate the swelling and help you feel like normal once again. If, however, the swelling isn’t improved or if it continues, then we may have to revisit other options.
- Sclerotherapy: This treatment involves injecting a saline solution directly into the veins to collapse them once and for all which will help your body reroute the blood and get rid of the swelling.
- Surgery: Depending on how severe your venous reflux is, our doctors may recommend an endovenous laser therapy. During endovenous laser therapy, a catheter with a laser fiber on the end of it will be inserted into your veins. The laser is then excreted and is designed to obliterate your veins in the process.
If you have venous reflux, we at Atlas Vein Care can help you find instant relief. To learn more about this condition or to schedule a consultation, contact Atlas Vein Care today!