Veins
Improved Circulation. Innovative Techniques.
The Vein Institute by Moutaa BenMaamer, MD, FACS, stands as a beacon of expertise and innovation in vascular health. Committed to addressing a spectrum of vein-related concerns, the institute integrates advanced treatments with compassionate care. Dr. BenMaamer and his team offer comprehensive diagnostics, personalized treatment plans and cutting edge procedures for conditions such as varicose veins and spider veins. Our team places strong emphasis on improving vascular health and enhancing patients’ overall well being.
Understanding Vascular Conditions
Varicose veins are twisted, swollen veins that appear blue or purple through the skin. This condition develops when valves in the veins weaken and allow blood to flow in the wrong direction and accumulate. Sometimes, varicose veins are nothing more than a cosmetic concern, but many times they can be uncomfortable and even painful.
Spider veins result from enlarged blood vessels near the skin’s surface. Many times, they’ll appear on the face and legs and develop into a reddish-blue color. Usually, spider veins are painless and only a cosmetic concern. However, some patients deal with itching, burning, and underlying venous conditions along with spider veins.
Watch for These Common Symptoms
Varicose veins are often evident just by looking at the legs. But beyond appearances, this condition has several symptoms that may cause pain and discomfort. If you’ve spotted varicose veins and also have any of these symptoms, be sure to contact Dr. Moutaa BenMaamer:
- Leg pain
- Swelling in the legs
- Itching or burning sensations
- Legs feel heavy or overly tired
- Restless legs
- Muscle cramps
- Skin discoloration
- Leg ulcers
- Thickened skin
Technical Treatments. Targeted Results.
Varicose veins can be treated in several different ways. After reviewing your unique condition, we’ll recommend one of the following approaches to treatment:
This method involves using a foam substance to expand the vein walls and cause their collapse. Then, the body naturally clears the destroyed tissue and eliminates the varicose vein.
Some patients benefit from this approach, which involves inserting a catheter into the leg vein. When it reaches the end of the vein, a burst of heat energy causes the vein to collapse and disappear over time.
This treatment uses medical-grade adhesive to hold the affected vein together as it heals and returns to normal size.
During this procedure, your surgeon will use a catheter to release a sclerosing agent and destroy the vein wall at the same time.
Some patients require a more direct approach to removing varicose veins. During an ambulatory phlebectomy, we'll make a small incision and gently pull out the affected vein.
Laser-Assisted Spider Vein Treatments use focused light to target and reduce the appearance of spider veins on the skin's surface. The laser energy heats the and damages the vein causing it to collapse and eventually fade. It's a noninvasive treatment with no-downtime but multiple sessions may be needed for optimal results.
Pain & Swelling
Pain and swelling can result from various causes, ranging from circulatory and/or arterial issues or venous insufficiency. Dr. BenMaamer and his team are known in SouthWest Florida for taking a comprehensive approach where the underlying cause is targeted and treated. The goal is to address the root cause, improve circulation and alleviate any discomfort.
Don’t Dismiss the Signs of Something Serious
On its own, leg swelling might not seem like a big deal. Many people assume the swelling will go away without treatment after a few weeks. However, we highly recommend consulting with a doctor as soon as possible. Swollen legs could be a sign of a more serious condition, including the following:
- Heart disease or heart valve disease
- Heart failure
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Venous insufficiency
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Cellulitis
- Lymphedema
Know the Symptoms Associated With Swelling
Swollen legs don’t usually occur isolated from other symptoms. Many times, underlying vascular problems are associated with swelling as well as these additional symptoms:
- Varicose veins
- Itching and burning sensations
- General leg pain
- Legs feeling heavy or tired
- Skin rashes
- Discolored or thickened skin
- Leg ulcers
- Red, warm skin (common with deep vein thrombosis)
- Dizziness or shortness of breath (common with