Start Looking Forward to Summer Now!

Start Looking Forward to Summer Now!

One of the benefits of living in Colorado is that there are so many reasons to enjoy winter. From skiing and boarding to snowshoeing across beautiful snowy landscapes, there’s something truly special about this season. Eventually, though, people start dreaming of warm summer days and the chance to exchange bulky winter clothing for shorts and swimsuits. If in past years you have missed out on summer fun with friends and family due to painful legs, or because you’ve been self-conscious about exposing your spider or varicose veins, then now is the perfect time to do something about it. This is important not just for your appearance, but for your long-term health.

If the thought of showing your legs makes you feel uncomfortable, you’re not alone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, venous disease affects nearly 40 percent of the adult population in the United States, yet it is a highly underdiagnosed condition. Many assume that only those who are inactive or who have occupations requiring them to stand for long periods of time are at risk of developing venous disease, but actually it can affect anyone because it is often caused by factors unrelated to lifestyle such as genetics or pregnancy. People often don’t think about the possibility of having venous disease unless they have spider or varicose veins, but actually the disease can be present without visible signs. This is why, if you’re experiencing these problems, or already have spider or varicose veins, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a vein expert.

Venous disease begins when the valves in the veins that typically prevent blood from flowing back down into the feet start to weaken. When these valves are damaged, blood that would otherwise be on its way to the heart starts trickling through the valves and pooling in the legs. Pressure gradually builds, and this is primarily what leads to symptoms like swelling, fatigue, pain, itchiness and, when the problem remains untreated for too long, ulcers. This pressure and swelling is also responsible for the manifestation of spider and varicose veins.

When venous disease remains invisible, problems can go untreated for many years, leading to more serious issues later on. Fortunately, phlebologists, who are doctors with expertise in vein disease and treatment, can diagnose patients quickly and conveniently using ultrasound. An early diagnosis is the first step toward determining what type of treatment will best relieve a patient’s suffering and can also prevent or eliminate visible symptoms that make so many patients self-conscious. Aesthetics are important, but more important is ensuring one’s long-term health.

The procedures for treating venous disease are typically covered by insurance. Before authorizing this coverage, however, insurance companies require patients to first wear compression stockings for three months to see if this will help resolve any symptoms. Many patients find that stockings do offer relief from pain, swelling and fatigue, but ultimately they only slow the progression of the disease–not completely halt or reverse it–and they won’t eliminate spider and varicose veins.

The compression stocking trial is one reason why starting treatment in the winter months is a good strategy for preparing to enjoy the entire summer. It ensures that the trial takes place during a period when patients are already wearing pants, and there’s the added bonus that the stockings provide another layer of warmth! Of course, it’s perfectly fine to wear compression stockings other months of the year, but it’s not as convenient because the stockings must be worn consistently and might interfere with warm-weather activities.

After three months of wearing compression stockings, patients can then undergo a procedure tailored to their specific needs that will correct the underlying cause of their discomfort and eliminate any unsightly spider and varicose veins. Vein procedures are highly advanced, utilizing innovative techniques and cutting-edge laser technology that is minimally invasive and virtually painless. What’s more, these treatments take place in the comfortable setting of the vein clinic and only require local anaesthesia. Patients are back on their feet right away, and often don’t even require pain medication after their procedure.

One of the most rewarding aspects of treating patients at Artemis Colorado – Vein and Cosmetic Center is that so many people experience drastic improvements in their conditions. There are cases where patients have avoided shorts and swimsuits for over twenty years, but all that changes after their procedure. In these instances we only wish that the patient had received treatment earlier!

If you are curious to learn more about vein treatments and what you can expect when you come to Artemis Colorado, then we hope you’ll visit our website. You can view before and after photos, read success stories from patients who are now enjoying relief from their symptoms, and learn more about the state-of-the-art technology utilized by our highly trained and experienced doctor and staff. If you choose to come in for a consultation or to be fit for compression stockings and ultimately decide to begin treatment, know that we will be with you every step of the way with the personalized care and attention you should expect from a physician. At Artemis we’re here to get you back on your feet so that you can start getting excited about all the possibilities that summer offers.