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Non-Invasive Venous Evaluations

 

Non-Invasive Venous Evaluations

If your provider suspects a disorder in your veins or a possible blockage, diagnostic imaging may be used to further investigate and diagnose the concern. Using ultrasound and sound waves, your provider will be able to see the health of your veins and provide effective treatment based on the results. Several non-invasive and painless evaluations available at the Iowa Clinic Vein Therapy Center include:

Doppler Evaluation

Doppler evaluation is a form of non-invasive testing used by your provider to search for changes in blood flow or circulation in your legs.This form of diagnostic testing is painless and uses a special stethoscope to listen for any changes that may indicate a clot or valve problem and can typically be completed in 30 to 45 minutes.

Duplex Imaging

Duplex imaging uses sound waves to create an image, allowing your provider to see the size and shape of your veins, as well as the amount of blood flowing through them. This technique is non-invasive, painless, and has no side effects.

Venous Duplex Ultrasound

This form of non-invasive testing is used to evaluate symptoms such as leg pain, swelling, excessive varicose veins, shortness of breath or a suspected blood clot in your legs or lungs. This evaluation uses ultrasound and is performed by a team of physicians, nurses and technologists, typically taking about 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

Preparing for your testing

Any time you are sent for additional medical testing, it can be scary and daunting. At the Iowa Clinic Vein Therapy Center, we work to make your experience as relaxed as possible. The non-invasive testing offered at our center does not require the use of dyes or needles and is a completely painless way for our providers to evaluate your vein health and offer the appropriate treatment.

No preparation for your evaluation is required, and most testing is completed within an hour, allowing you to return to your normal activities following your appointment.

During the testing, you may hear the sound of blood moving through your veins as the provider uses ultrasound or sound waves to evaluate blood flow. This is completely harmless and part of the testing process.

Your testing results

Following the evaluation, your results will be interpreted by one of our physicians, and if needed, a plan of treatment will be discussed with you and implemented for your diagnosis.

Some common diagnoses include:

Venous Disease

Impacting more than 30 million Americans, the term venous disease includes conditions of varicose veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). Occurring when vein walls become damaged or injured, it causes the blood to flow backward and creates unusually high pressure in the veins. This increased pressure increases swelling and eventually leads to the condition known as varicose veins.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are veins that have become painful and enlarged, often looking like bulging cords raised above the skin on your legs. While often thought to be a cosmetic issue, if left untreated, varicose veins can become a more serious venous disease known as Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).

The cause of varicose veins is often due to the valves in the leg veins no longer functioning, causing blood to pool or flow backwards within the veins, creating an enlarged or varicose vein. Typically, the most common type of a varicose vein is found in the superficial leg vein and can be linked to prolonged standing. While they are most often identified by their gnarly appearance, varicose veins can also cause:

  • Pain, fullness or aching in the legs
  • Mild swelling of the ankles
  • Blue, red or flesh-colored veins
  • Skin at the ankle becoming a discolored brown
  • Skin ulcers near the ankle

While varicose veins can't always be prevented, there are certain lifestyle changes you can make to help control symptoms, including:

  • Avoiding standing for long periods of time
  • Elevating the feet above the thighs when sitting, and above the heart when lying down
  • Avoiding clothes that are tight around the waist, thighs or legs
  • Strengthening calf muscles through an appropriate exercise plan
  • Managing blood pressure and weight

Spider Veins

Spider veins are damaged blood vessels or capillaries, visible just below the surface of the skin. Affecting more than 50% of females, they usually look red, blue or purple in color and become more prominent as an individual ages. While they are usually harmless in nature and rarely cause symptoms, many individuals who have spider veins also experience varicose veins since they share the same risk factors.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

CVI is a venous condition that worsens over time, affecting the veins and vessels of the leg. When left untreated, varicose veins can progress to CVI, leading to painful swelling, fatigue, restless legs and skin ulcers.

While CVI can affect anyone, certain factors such as gender and age may increase the risk of developing the disease. Additional factors contributing to risk factors include:

  • Family history of varicose veins
  • Lack of exercise
  • Lifestyle that requires standing for long periods of time
  • Excess weight
  • Current or previous pregnancies