Chicago Vascular Doctor Links Vein Disease & Embolism
There are many forms of vein disease, and all of them can wreak havoc on your circulatory system and increase your risk of serious complications and diseases. Some types of vein disease, however, are more severe than others. One of the worst forms of vein disease is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can put you at risk for pulmonary embolism, or PE, among other things. Keep reading to learn more about what a Chicago vascular doctor has to say about vein disease and embolism.
What do Chicago residents need to know about deep vein thrombosis and embolism?
DVT arises when the deep veins in your legs have developed thrombi, or blood clots, because of some kind of damage or disease. The term thrombus is used to describe a blood clot or other blockage that forms inside a vein and adheres itself to the vein wall. This alone can be detrimental to your health as blood clots block the normal circulation of blood from your legs and feet back up to your heart and lungs. Real danger begins if the clot breaks free from the vein wall and travels through the vessel. When this happens, the clot can become lodged in a major organ, blocking off blood flow there. This is what is known as an embolism.
When someone has DVT and one of their blood clots breaks free from the vein and travels to their brain, it can cut off the blood supply, causing a stoke. If the clot makes its way up to your lungs and cuts off the blood flow there, the condition is known as pulmonary embolism or PE. Most cases of DVT that develop a mobilized clot will develop PE, which is a highly life-threatening condition. In fact, so many instances of DVT become PE that many varicose and spider vein doctors in Chicago refer to their linkage as DVT/PE.
It’s important to learn about your vein disease risk early on. Here’s why:
Just like most other forms of vein disease, DVT frequently displays few noticeable symptoms. As a result, most people don’t realize they have it, which is why the team here at Chicago Vein Care Center feels it’s so important to spread the word to area residents about vein screenings. These screenings are painless and take less than an hour, yet they’re highly effective at providing your doctor with the information he needs to determine the state of your vein health.
At your appointment, our Chicago vein specialist Dr. Ramon Castro will use advanced diagnostic tools such as Duplex ultrasound to ‘see’ what’s going on underneath your skin without actually having to be beneath your skin’s surface. In this way, we are able to verify whether your blood flow is adequate, and if there are blood clots, we can find them too.
What are the next steps?
If Dr. Castro determines you are showing the signs of DVT, he can remove the clots through minimally invasive techniques. These procedures are done in our office in less than an hour. They use miniscule incisions, so there is no need for heavy anesthesia and don’t carry as great a risk as traditional surgery for side effects such as scarring and infection. Through advanced venous medical procedures such as endovenous laser therapy, medications, and simple ultrasound, we can provide potentially life-saving care right here in our clinic.
Because of the strong link between vein disease and embolism, why not protect yourself from both by visiting us for a screening? Feel free to call us at 773-283-7887 to schedule your appointment. It’s easy and can possibly save your life, so call our Chicago vein treatment center today.