Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Federico M. Richter, MD
Chronic Venous Insufficiency is a medical condition in which the veins are unable to pump deoxygenated blood back to the heart. This is caused because the one way valves that are inside the veins are damaged (Incompetent) and this causes venous reflux (Blood pooling on the legs instead of returning in the heart) often resulting in chronic swelling of the legs, skin discoloration, Venous Eczema (itching), and Lipodermatosclerosis (Thin, shiny leathery skin). If Venous Reflux is left untreated, it will cause Venous Ulcers (skin sores) and it can take years for them to heal.
Deep Vein Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot within a deep vein and can be a complication of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. Classic symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include swelling, pain, and redness of the affected area.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
Varicose Veins and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) have many symptoms in common: an urge to move your legs, that creepy-crawly feeling, itching, tingling and restlessness. These symptoms may be an indication of poor circulation, even though you have no visible varicose veins.
RLS is common in patients with both saphenous and nontruncal varicose vein disease and can respond frequently and rapidly to EVLT and sclerotherapy.
Studies show that the treatment of venous insufficiency can relieve symptoms of restless leg syndrome. According to a study in the journal Phlebology, in patients with restless leg syndrome and venous insufficiency, 98% of patients experienced relief from restless legs syndrome symptoms by treating their venous insufficiency, and 80% had long-term relief.
This subpopulation of RLS sufferers should be considered for phlebological evaluation, venous insufficiency should be checked as a possible cause, as correction of the vein reflux provides long-term and likely permanent relief of symptoms before being consigned to chronic drug therapy with potential side effects.
Florida Vein Center utilizes the most ground-breaking procedures as well as traditional methods to get your veins in top shape.
Diagnostic Tools & Treatments Include:
Ultrasound — able to diagnose CVD and to rule out DVT
EVLT — uses a minimally invasive endovenous laser to treat varicose veins and is a clinically proven alternative to traditional and painful ligation and stripping surgery.
Varithena® — FDA-approved, prescription medicine for varicose veins. It is used to treat problems in the great saphenous vein (GSV) system of the leg and tributary varicosities, including twisted (torturous) veins that cannot be accessed with a rigid laser fiber, veins with a range of diameters from small to large, and veins that have unsuccessfully been treated with other methods.
VenaSeal™ — closure system is the only non-tumescent, non-thermal, non-sclerosant procedure that uses a proprietary medical adhesive delivered endovenously to close the vein.
Visual Sclerotherapy — a popular treatment for spider veins and reticular veins. The sclerosing agent irritates the inside of the vein causing the vein to close, after which it is reabsorbed by the body. This minimally invasive procedure inflicts little if any discomfort or bruising and there is no down time. Patients can do it in their lunch time and get back to normal activities right away, including exercising.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy — minimally invasive non-surgical method of treating varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, uses FDA approved medications that are injected into a vein, causing it to close.
About Federico M. Richter, MD
Dr. Richter was born and raised in Argentina and grew up in a family of vein doctors. His Grandfather, one of the first vein specialists in Argentina, helped pioneer sclerotherapy for treatment of varicose and spider veins in the 1940s. His Father has been treating veins for over 45 years.
Dr. Richter recently re-located from the busy suburbs of Indianapolis where he completed his residency and practiced for 5 years. Since completion of his residency here in the United States, he has also focused on the newest developments in minimally invasive vein treatments. Dr. Richter received his medical degree in Argentina in 2003 from Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. He then completed a year of general surgery and a 3-year Fellowship in vein and lymphatic disorders in 2007. As a venous and lymphatic medicine specialist, he is dedicated to treating varicose and spider veins and their underlying causes.
With over a decade of experience in the specialized medical field of diagnosing and treating vein disease, Dr. Richter was one of the first doctors to use lasers to treat a variety of vein diseases in Argentina. Certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and an active member of the American College Of Phlebology, Dr. Richter has also accumulated an impressive list of qualifications and educational accomplishments during the course of his career.
Dr. Richter’s 1st priority is the well-being and quality of life his patients in the Bradenton, Sarasota, Sun City, Ruskin, and surrounding areas.
To schedule a consultation, call Florida Vein Center
941-907-3400
6050 53rd Ave. East (SR70), Suite A, Bradenton, FL 34203
