The vein is one vital body organ, as it is crucial for blood circulation around the body (as seen in our little knowledge of the circulatory system) and it is one of the key players in the vascular system. Of course, blood circulation is essential for the body to function effectively, as it involves blood circulating from the heart to other body parts of the body. Well, the heart is the organ at the center of the circulatory system, considering that blood is pumped from it and back to it (after circulation). Moreover, the vein circulates blood back to the heart; thus, the order of blood circulation is affected when there’s a problem with your vein. Sadly, this will translate to other body parts and their functions.
Various factors can affect veins in the body and how they function, and the effect of these factors translate to vein diseases. Some of these vein diseases can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early, while others affect the skin’s appeal and how specific body organs function. Hence, you must see the ideal medical specialist to treat and manage a vein disease (when noticed).
However, there is one concern, and it involves finding the ideal medical specialist to treat a vein disease. This is a concern because only some people can correctly identify the medical professional to turn to for vein disease treatment. What’s even worse is that the wrong treatment can pose severe harm. Generally, three professionals are involved in medical practice when it concerns vein disease treatment. Each of these professionals is unique in their own right, given the degree of education they have on vein diseases and how the vein works. These professionals include
- Board-certified vascular surgeons
- Vascular specialists
- Phlebologist
Before deciding which of these specialists to see for the excellent result from vein disease treatment, you must know the difference between the three outlined below.
The Difference Between the Professionals In Vascular Medicine
As mentioned earlier, the three known professionals who offer vein disease treatment have specific qualities that distinguish them, and these qualities will be explained in detail.
- Board-certified Vascular Surgeon:
These professionals are deemed highly trained in handling issues with blood vessels, treating diseases affecting the veins, arteries, and lymphatic vessels. They undergo the stringiest training of the three medical professionals stated above. This training equips them with the skill set to perform delicate and daring treatment on blood vessels.
Becoming a board-certified vascular surgeon involves four years of study as an undergraduate in college, another four years in medical school, and five-seven years of a residency program where they are mandated to complete rigorous training and examinations. The examinations for these professionals are of two kinds: a qualifying exam, a 6-hour multiple choice exam, and a certifying exam, a 5-hour oral session.
The successful completion of these exams instates the students as professionals who are board-certified vascular surgeons. However, the training continues after getting board certification in vascular surgery; there is also the requirement to take, complete, and pass an exam every 10 years. This rigorous training makes vascular surgeons the most qualified of the three professionals to administer pre- and post-operational treatment for vein diseases. More on why you should consider seeing a board-certified vascular surgeon for vein disease will be discussed later.
- Vascular specialists:
These medical professionals in other medical fields need to gain more knowledge of the vein, how it works, and the factors that affect them. You must understand that these professionals do not specialize in vein disease treatments, but their medical practice requires knowledge of their diseases and treatments. Some of these specialists are dermatologists, cardiovascular surgeons, and more, and these professionals are also required to have board certifications in their respective fields. However, please note that because of their limited training concerning the vein, they cannot treat all vein diseases and often refer patients to a board-certified vascular surgeon.
- Phlebologist:
These professionals are also trained in treating various vein diseases ranging from varicose veins to vein ulcers. However, since their training is less stringent than board-certified vascular surgeons, there is a limit to the kind of treatments they can offer, as their training better equips them for cosmetic treatments.
Why Seek Treatment from a Vascular Surgeon for Vein Diseases?
As mentioned earlier, three distinct professionals are known for treating vein diseases. Still, board-certified vascular surgeons are considered the excellent choice for vein disease treatment, and these are some of the reasons:
- Extensive training: As mentioned earlier, the board-certified vascular surgeon undergoes the stringiest training of the three. This extensive training equips these professionals with a broader skillset for treating various vein diseases.
- All-rounded skillset: As mentioned earlier, the vein disease treatment the phlebologist and vascular specialists can offer for vein diseases has restrictions that do not exist for board-certified vascular surgeons. This is because their extensive training is targeted at equipping them with the knowledge needed to diagnose various vein diseases and proffer the ideal treatment for them.
Who Should See a Board-certified Vascular Surgeon?
There is no specific rule or requirement to meet before seeing a board-certified vascular surgeon concerning vein diseases. Anyone who notices unusual changes in their vein should see a board-certified vascular surgeon. More so, those at high risk of developing vein diseases are advised to see a vascular surgeon. Some of the people at high risk of developing vein diseases include:
- People who smoke cigarettes
- Diabetic patients
- Suffering from kidney diseases
- People suffering from high blood pressure
- People with a history of vascular disease.
When to See a Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon?
As mentioned above, the earlier vein disease is discovered, the power the risk of it being severe to the health. Hence, the best time to seek a board-certified vascular surgeon is when you notice signs particular to vein diseases. Some of these signs include:
- Wounds that refuse to heal, as they appear on pressure points, like the heels, ankles, and wrists.
- Experiencing numbness, weakness, or heaviness in your muscles.
- Restricted mobility in joints.
- Appearance of thickened and opaque toenails and fingernails.
- Experiencing burning and aching pain when resting.
- Varicose veins; this condition is characterized by bulging veins appearing underneath the skin. These veins mainly appear in the arms and legs.
- Blood clots; this condition results from hardened blood forming in the veins and restricting blood flow through the veins.
Conclusion
There are many reasons to see a vascular surgeon for vein disease treatments, and this article has highlighted some of the reasons. However, a board-certified vascular surgeon should be your best bet for vein disease treatment, as they are more knowledgeable and are assured to proffer the best treatment for vein diseases.