Phlebologist

Recently, the development of medicine has been at a rapid pace. New industries are emerging, narrowly focused and specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of certain types of pathologies.

One of the sought-after areas in modern medicine is phlebology, a discipline that has emerged from under the wing of vascular surgery.

A phlebologist is a specialist whose activity is aimed at diagnosing and treating pathologies of the veins of the lower extremities, which is especially important for the beautiful half of humanity.

The main task of this doctor is the most accurate diagnosis and the appointment of the most appropriate treatment, which are based on clinical studies and a visual examination of the patient. Also, his competence includes further rehabilitation of the patient and prevention of recurrence of the disease in the future.

What diseases does a phlebologist treat?

The vast majority of people face the problems of venous insufficiency. The fair sex, who often wear high-heeled shoes, as well as the elderly, are most predisposed to the development of pathologies associated with veins.

Usually, such diseases are most often manifested in the lower and upper extremities.

With proper treatment, a qualified phlebologist will help cure diseases such as: trophic ulcer, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, reticular varicose veins, venous insufficiency, venous dysplasia, post-thrombotic manifestations, bleeding varicose veins.

Of course, the most effective and less difficult treatment will be if the patient went to the doctor at the very beginning of the disease, when the very first symptoms appeared.

Otherwise, the therapy will be long and costly, and the disease itself in the last stages can provoke the appearance of unnecessary complications and unpleasant consequences.

What symptoms should you see a specialist for?

Consultation with a specialist phlebologist is necessary at the first signs of venous pathologies. Violation of the systemic blood flow of the lower extremities leads to various diseases that largely develop with excessive physical exertion, pregnancy, and overweight.

They often occur against the background of a passive lifestyle, especially in older people. Also at risk are women who constantly wear high-heeled shoes, which also negatively affects the veins.

What symptoms should be seen by a phlebologist? As soon as the first manifestations and sensations of discomfort are noticed, expressed in the following:

• heaviness in the lower extremities;
• painful sensations along the entire surface of the legs;
• night cramps;
• visually perceptible prominent veins on the lower extremities;
• a sudden sensation of warmth in the muscles of the legs;
• severe swelling of the lower extremities;
• palpable or visually distinguishable nodules on the veins.

Diagnosis of the disease

At the first appointment, an oral examination of the patient usually takes place, when the patient describes his problem, tormenting symptoms and complaints in words. Even these data are already enough to discard obviously false pathologies, thereby narrowing the search for possible diseases.

After that, the doctor proceeds to a visual examination of the patient. This stage of diagnosis can be carried out at home, if the specialist was called to the house. At the same time, the phlebologist pays special attention to the lower and upper limbs, focusing on all kinds of swelling and seals, deterioration of skin elasticity, and a change in its color. Inspection is carried out both in a standing position and lying down. Then the specialist proceeds to listen and study the pulse in the radial arteries.

The next step in the diagnosis of venous pathologies is the appointment of various samples, through which you can see the full picture of the disease.

Shanis test. In this procedure, the leg is pulled with a tourniquet under the knee, as well as the upper and middle parts of the thigh. If, during the time the patient got to his feet, the vessels tightened with a tourniquet fill quickly enough, then in this case there really is a vascular pathology.

Prett test. Or a two-band test. To do this, both legs of the patient are bandaged with elastic bandages, with which he must walk for half an hour. After this time, the presence of pathology is determined by the presence of pain: if it remains, then there are problems with the veins, if not, then the patient’s deep veins are in order.

Delbe-Partes test. The essence of this test is that a tourniquet is applied to the patient in the thigh area, with which he must walk for some time. Thanks to this, the doctor can see the distribution of blood flow from the upper to the deep veins, which will indicate the existing pathology.

Troyanov-Trendelenburg test. With the help of this procedure, the presence of venous pathologies can also be detected. To do this, the patient’s leg is pulled with a tourniquet and lifted up, then immediately he must stand on it. The rapid filling of a vein near the lower limb with blood will indicate an existing disease.

In-depth diagnosis of the disease includes:

• Ultrasound of the lower extremities, with which you can assess the condition of the veins as a whole, the elasticity of their walls and the capacity of the entire venous system;
• computed tomography, which makes it possible to study blood vessels in various parts of the body;
• tests for thrombophlebia, which will help identify possible thrombosis and determine the body’s predisposition to their occurrence;
• Ultrasound of various internal organs;
• electrocardiogram.

Methods for the treatment of diseases

Based on the diagnosis, the phlebologist prescribes a treatment that differs depending on the severity of the disease. In mild cases, therapeutic treatments are often used, which include:

• maintaining an active lifestyle;
• getting rid of extra pounds of weight;
• diet food;
• cold and hot shower;
• a special set of physical exercises;
• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• drug treatment;
• wearing compression stockings and stockings, which is especially recommended for varicose veins during pregnancy, as well as in the recovery postpartum period.

Microsclerotherapy is used to treat the initial stages of varicose veins. The essence of this method is to remove venous asterisks with the help of a sclerosing agent, which is injected into the vessel with a special very thin needle.

Another method of treatment in the early stages of the disease is laser coagulation, when spider veins are removed using a laser, and microthermocoagulation, when removal is performed using a special Surgitron apparatus.

The second stage of the disease is characterized by the destruction of the valves of the superficial veins. In such cases, laser coagulation with miniphlebectomy is most often prescribed; surgical intervention under general anesthesia, as well as subsequent rehabilitation under the supervision of a doctor or radiofrequency obliteration. The most recent stages of the disease are characterized by the appearance of trophic ulcers, which can be of various diameters and depths. For their treatment, methods are used that promote wound healing and relieve inflammation. After this, surgical intervention is possible, similar to the one in the second stage.

What does a good phlebologist mean

The lion’s share of health problems disappears when the treatment is carried out by a qualified doctor and a good specialist. But often, when problems arise, people tend to run anywhere, just to get rid of discomfort. And with unqualified treatment, the disease can be fairly delayed, moreover, even cause unwanted complications. How to choose a good specialist phlebologist?

To do this, you should first of all pay attention to the good reviews about the doctor of acquaintances and relatives who previously used his services. When choosing a clinic on the Internet, give preference to narrowly focused institutions that have a state license, the doctor has European and Russian certificates, and recognition in medical circles. The experience of the doctor, the number of operations performed by him. The best doctors are those working in large public medical institutions. A good qualified specialist will always leave his contact details and find an approach to each client.

In conclusion

A phlebologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases associated with pathologies of the veins. A good qualified specialist will help get rid of diseases at any stage and of any severity, taking various methods of treatment and diagnosis. Venous pathologies are most often treated by two methods: therapeutic and surgical. At the initial stages, therapeutic methods of treatment are used, at more advanced stages – surgical ones.

But it should be remembered that before you go to the doctor, you need to make sure the qualifications of the specialist who will carry out the treatment. Otherwise, the result may be unpleasant and unforeseen consequences.