The appearance of spider veins and varicose veins on the legs and accompanying symptoms such as pain, a feeling of heavy legs or swelling should prompt a visit to a specialist and diagnostics. Underestimating the first signs of venous insufficiency, as evidenced by the aforementioned symptoms, will make the condition progress, venous ulcers and other complications will appear1. The doctor will make a diagnosis and choose the appropriate treatment, which will inhibit the development of the disease. There are at least a few specialists in lower extremity vein diseases, among them an angiologist, phlebologist and vascular surgeon. The question then arises, which one to choose? Find out what a phlebologist, angiologist and vascular surgeon do. With the knowledge you gain, it will be easier for you to determine who to go to for help with cardiovascular disease.
Who is a phlebologist doctor?
Let’s take the specialty known as phlebology as the first on the agenda. This is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and diseases of veins. So who is a phlebologist? He deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the blood vessels. He is commonly referred to as a vein doctor [2].
The phlebologist performs Doppler ultrasound, based on which he assesses the severity of the disease. This allows him to decide on pharmacology and conservative treatment. If the doctor deems it appropriate, he may send the patient for a consultation with another specialist, such as a vascular surgeon [2].
Angiology – what is the specialty?
The term “vein doctor” is also often used to describe an angiologist. What does an angiologist do? He is a doctor who deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of diseases of the vascular system involving blood vessels, veins and arteries. Angiology is a very narrow specialty that is the science of the vascular and lymphatic systems [2].
Patients of an angiologist are often people with diabetes mellitus, since this disease attacks the vessels. Due to the long latent course of vascular pathology, the disruption of blood supply is not detected until the late stages, leading to the appearance of many problems and complications. Thus, a specialist angiologist treats all conditions related to the vascular system.
What does a vascular surgeon do?
A vascular surgeon is also a vein doctor, who mainly deals with performing invasive surgical procedures to prevent serious complications of blood and lymphatic vessel diseases. This specialist deals with cases that the other doctors are no longer able to help. It is absolutely necessary to consult a surgeon, among others, in the case of chronic venous ulcers. A visit to this specialist requires a referral from another specialist or general practitioner [2].
Angiologist vs. phlebologist, or perhaps a vascular surgeon – which specialist to choose?
Angiologistversus ph lebologist – which specialist to go to? An angiologist deals with the vascular system in general, while a phlebologist specializes strictly in venous problems. Therefore, it is worth going to the first specialist if there is a suspicion of vascular disease, and to the second – venous disease. The scope of their activities is primarily diagnostics, selection of pharmacotherapy, application of minimally invasive treatment methods and providing recommendations. If surgery is necessary, then the patient should go to a vascular surgeon.
Each doctor always takes a detailed history of the patient, reviews the results of the tests performed so far and performs a physical examination, so if it turns out that the chosen specialist is unable to help in a particular case, he will certainly refer the patient to the appropriate doctor.
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Bibliography:
- Frolov M., Varicose veins, Practical Medicine for Patients, 2017 (website: https://www.mp.pl/pacjent/zakrzepica/zylaki/63354,zylaki (accessed 2023.003.)).
- Dziekoński J., A family physician should be a phlebologist, Practical Medicine, 2016 (website: https://www.mp.pl/medycynarodzinna/na-marginesie/wywiady/141868,lekarz-rodzinny-powinien-byc-flebologiem (accessed 2023.01.03.)).