Chicago Vascular Doctor: Ultrasound Function and Safety
You may wonder how it is that a vein care specialist in Chicago knows precisely which veins are causing problems and exactly which veins to treat. According to Dr. Ramon Castro, a premier Chicago vascular doctor, the secret to ‘seeing’ inside your legs is actually no secret at all. Vein doctors use a common ultrasound device against your skin in order to get a clear picture of your leg veins without pain or inconvenience to you. Continue reading to learn more about ultrasound and its ingenious (and safe) use in the field of vein care.
What do residents of Chicago need to know about the applications of ultrasound technology in vein treatment?
While ultrasound has many applications in health care such as verifying the gestational measurement of a fetus or looking at the functions of certain organs, ultrasound devices are of particular use in vein care. Varicose and spider vein doctors in Chicago always examine the condition of your veins before making recommendations for treatment. The best way to see the inner working of your veins without actually dissecting your legs (eek!) is to use ultrasound technology. The image created by the ultrasound device allows your doctor to pinpoint the source of your venous issues. Then, once treatment is underway, ultrasound can even be helpful in guiding the doctor during the procedure. What a useful tool for your veins!
But Chicago vein experts don’t use any old ultrasound device. Duplex ultrasound is the imaging device of choice in accurately assessing and diagnosing problem veins. This device uses two forms of ultrasound—traditional and Doppler—to collect information on how blood is moving through your veins. Traditional ultrasound uses harmless sound waves that bounce off of structures (vein walls) and back to the device to create an image of the veins on a screen. Doppler ultrasound also tracks sound waves as they gently bounce off of objects in the veins that move, such as blood and embolism (mobilized blood clot). Doppler monitors the speed and force of the moving objects as they flow through the veins. Ultrasound is also invaluable as a guide for your doctor while treating problem veins that can’t be seen by the naked eye, making an already effective surgery all the more safe for you!
What to expect during your venous ultrasound examination
Because your venous evaluation is such an important part of determining the best mode of treatment, we first have to find out what condition we’re treating. To do this, you should expect to undergo an ultrasound evaluation at your very first visit to our clinic. An ultrasound exam is easy and painless, but there are a few things you can do to prepare for your exam such as wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and avoid wearing heavy lotions or shaving your legs before your exam.
The exam itself is done in the comfort and privacy of our office. You will lie back and relax while the imaging expert gently passes the handheld ‘transducer’ over your legs. As the image appears on the monitor, the physician will decipher the pictures and, along with information from your medical history and symptoms, Dr. Castro will make a diagnosis and determine the best course of action for treating your condition.
To experience the power or ultrasound for yourself, give us a call at 773-283-7887 to schedule an appointment.