Your doctor may diagnose your varicose veins based on a physical exam. Your doctor will look at your legs while you’re standing or sitting with your legs dangling. He or she may ask you about your symptoms, including any pain you’re having. Sometimes, you may have other tests to find out the extent of the problem and to rule out other disorders.

You might have an ultrasound, which is used to see the veins’ structure, check the blood flow in your veins, and look for blood clots. This test uses sound waves to create pictures of structures in your body.

Although less likely, you might have a venogram. This test can be used to get a more detailed look at blood flow through your veins.

If you seek help for your varicose veins, there are several types of doctors you can see, including:

• A phlebologist, which is a vein specialist

• A vascular medicine doctor, who focuses on the blood system

• A vascular surgeon, who can perform surgery and do other procedures

• An interventional radiologist, who specializes in using imaging tools to see inside the body and do treatments with little or no cutting

• A dermatologist, who specializes in skin conditions

Each of these specialists do some or all of the procedures for treating varicose veins. You might start out by asking your regular doctor which specialist he or she recommends. You also might check with your insurance plan to see if it would pay for a particular provider or procedure. 

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