Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Federico M. Richter, MD
Varicose veins are dilated rope like blood vessels that protrude from the surface of the skin. But did you know that you might have varicose veins and not even know it? This is because many of there abnormal veins lie beneath the surface of the skin and are not visible.
Varicose veins affect more than 25 millions people in the United States. Although many patients can be unhappy because of the cosmetic appearance of the spider veins and varicose veins, they may in fact have more serious problems like chronic venous insufficiency. It is more likely to be present on patients who has vein related symptoms like heaviness, itching, fatigue, Charley horses, leg swelling, cramping, restless leg syndrome and chronic leg pain.
Many people have for years been told that by their health care providers that spider veins and varicose veins are purely a cosmetic problem, do not cause problems, and should be largely ignored. Over the past 15 years advancement in the understanding of venous disease and treatments have spawned a new medical specialty – Phlebology or the study of venous disorders. Much of the Knowledge developed from the recent interest in vein diseases has not yet reach the majority of health care providers, which may leave the patient with inaccurate or inadequate information. Phlebologist (those with expertise on treating patients with veins disorders) are uniquely qualified to help patients understand the significance of their vein problem and how it can best be treated.
Spider veins can be purely cosmetic, or they may be an indication of something more serious affecting your veins. When the spider veins are located on the inside of the knee or the ankle area the chances of those veins to be a medical problem are higher. In Patients with spider veins in this locations a venous reflux ultrasound is always recommended to look for a more serious problems that is venous reflux. Veins have in the inside one way valves that helps the deoxygenated blood to return back to the heart. When this one way valves fails, blood goes in the wrong direction (venous reflux) and pools in the veins increasing the pressure inside of the vein and causing dilatation of the vein wall, this pressure is transmitted to the capillaries which are very tiny vessels that can’t be seeing when normal but when they become dilated because of the increase pressure they form spider veins.
About Federico M. Richter, MD
Dr. Federico 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 on ultrasound including RPhS (Registered Phlebology Sonographer) and educational accomplishments during the course of his career.
He is the Medical Director at Erasers Vein Clinics with goals of increasing the wellbeing and quality of life of his patients and the community here on the Bradenton Sarasota , Sun City Area. His approach focuses on the personalized care of his clientele, always taking into account their wellness and comfort. Dr. Richter is fluent in English and Spanish.
Vein Center
To schedule a consultation, call Florida Vein Center
941-907-3400
6050 53rd Ave. East (SR70), Suite A, Bradenton, FL 34203
