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What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)?

What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)?

With modern medication and care, conditions like fibroid tumors have become more treatable and easier to manage. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), for instance, is a fairly straightforward procedure used in the treatment of fibroid tumors in the uterus.

Sometimes referred to as uterine artery embolization (UAE), the uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) procedure helps countless women plagued by fibroid tumors.

What does the uterine fibroid embolization treatment entail, and how can you prepare for the procedure? Here’s everything you need to know about uterine fibroids treatment.

What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

The muscular walls of the uterus can sometimes be invaded by non-cancerous fibroid tumors. These tumors are also known as myomas and are a form of benign tumors. While these fibroid tumors rarely become cancerous, they can lead to other severe conditions such as increased menstrual bleeding, bowel or bladder pressure, and pelvic discomfort. 

Admittedly, while uterine fibroid embolization shows a high success rate, more research is still needed on the subject. For instance, at the moment, the procedure is usually performed on women who no longer desire to get pregnant. The UFE procedure may also be used on women who wish to avoid a hysterectomy procedure. 

When is Uterine Fibroid Embolization Used? 

 

As mentioned above, uterine fibroid treatment is rather straightforward and minimally invasive. As a result, the procedure can be used in a wide variety of cases. Some of the instances where the treatment is necessary or advocated for include;

  • Malignant gynecological tumors
  • Hemorrhage after childbirth
  • General or specific trauma

 

How to Prepare for a Uterine Fibroid Embolization Procedure

 

The healthcare professional will first need to ascertain if the fibroid tumors are the underlying cause of any visible and diagnosable symptoms. Afterward, they’ll need to determine the size, location, and the number of fibroids. This can be done with the help of an ultrasound machine or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment.

Moreover, your gynecologist may also need to run a physical examination through a laparoscopy examination. This test gives a clearer picture of the uterus and the invasive fibroids. You could also have a biopsy of the inner lining of the uterus if you are bleeding excessively in between your periods. The procedure known as endometrium helps rule out cancer as the cause of bleeding.

If you are on any medication, supplements, or herbal remedies, you’ll need to inform the doctor before the procedure. Additionally, make a list of any known allergies, including general and local anesthesia and the dye or contrast materials.

It’s also wise to notify the healthcare team if you have recently suffered an illness, just finished treatment, or are on other medication. For example, if you’re on blood thinners, the healthcare provider may advise you temporarily halt the medication in preparation for the procedure.

Women who suspect they are pregnant should let the doctor know well before the uterine fibroid embolization treatment. Some imaging tests are usually not performed during pregnancy in a bid to minimize any radiation exposure to the fetus. In the case of an imaging test, such as an x-ray, which is essential to the operation, particular care guidelines must be followed to manage and reduce radiation exposure.

While preparing for the procedure, you’ll likely be put off solid meals after midnight to the procedure’s day. While the procedure takes a few hours, the doctor could request to stay overnight for further observation.

 

What Equipment to Expect

 

Since this is a minimally invasive procedure, the tools and equipment used are reasonably common and risk-free. Some of the equipment to be used in uterine fibroid embolization treatment includes a catheter, x-ray machines, and various embolic agents and medications.

The synthetic material used is known as embolic agents and varies in composition and efficacy. The three most common types of embolic agents are;

-Gelfoam whose texture resembles spongy material

-Polyvinyl alcohol, which resembles coarse sand

-Microspheres, which is a polyacrylamide sphere coated with gelatin

These tolls, equipment, and medication are all safe to use during the uterine fibroid embolization treatment.

 

Benefits and Risks Associated with Uterine Embolization Treatment

 

Some of the advantages of uterine fibroid embolization include;

-There’s no need for surgery as the procedure is minimally invasive

-You can resume regular activity sooner and faster

-The procedure is highly effective, boasting well over 90% efficacy rating

-Fibroids rarely regrow after the uterine embolization treatment

-On the other hand, some of the risks that could occur during the procedure are;

-The procedure pierces the skin and could leave an infection if not properly cleaned

-The embolic agents need to be guided carefully, or they could lodge in the wrong area

-Fibroids can lead to chronic pain and an array of other conditions. With uterine embolization treatment, you can now get relief and get back to your healthy self.

 

What To Expect during Uterine Fibroid Embolization Procedure

 

A UFE usually takes between 1 and 3 hours and patients usually require about 6 hours of bed rest after the procedure. Patients may experience mild discomfort as the embolization takes full effect. The fibroid tumors breaking down and exiting the body may cause light bleeding for the few weeks after the procedure. Most patients can expect to return to normal activity 7 to 10 days after the procedure. Our physicians will most likely recommend a follow-up consultation after the UFE 1 to 3 weeks afterward and an ultrasound or MRI 3 to 6 months later to monitor your progress.



La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 


What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)?2022-10-24T15:28:45-07:00

Causes of non healing ulcers and wounds

Non-healing ulcers & wounds do not follow the usual healing process and are referred to as chronic wounds should they persist beyond 3 weeks. Such wounds can be a heavy burden to live with for anyone. Still, the board-certified vascular surgeons and specialists at La Jolla Vein & Vascular are dedicated to administering effective treatment and management solutions to all patients so they may resume a healthy, productive, and pain-free life.

Types of Non-Healing Ulcers

In general, patients will present with one of three categories of non healing ulcers & wounds, with these categories being broadly defined by the major causative factors allowing for their development. These are:

Arterial or Venous Ulcers

These are found to account for between 70% up to 90% of non-healing wounds or non-healing ulcers. Mostly occurring in elderly patients, they are believed to come about as a result of a failure of the valves in a person’s blood vessels of both arteries and veins. These valves are responsible for preventing the backflow of blood as it passes within them. The consequent outcome is a lack of nutrient and oxygen-rich blood from reaching the affected tissues and sets up the conditions favoring non-healing wounds.

Pressure Ulcers

These are ulcers that are brought about by the restriction of blood flow to certain regions of the body due to the persistent and prolonged application of pressure upon them. It is mostly encountered among patients with full or partial paralysis and those who are bedridden for extended periods.

Diabetic Ulcers

These are also highly prevalent chronic wounds, and are on the increase among patients owing to the ever-increasing cases of diabetes among the population. In fact, the prevalence of chronic wounds among diabetics makes this demographic 15% more likely to have to undergo limb amputation as a complication of the condition.

The causes of non healing ulcers & wounds: 

The underlying factors contributing to the risk of developing a non-healing ulcer or wound are widely varied. What they have in common is their ability to interfere with the way the body normally functions with regard to wounds.

–Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)

–Circulatory System Issues

–Underlying Health Conditions

–Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)

Non healing ulcers & wounds are prevalent in people living with certain circulatory ailments such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, alcoholism, etc. In a healthy person, the nerves will send signals to the brain whenever pain or discomfort is experienced in any body tissues. Neuropathy makes this system non-functional; tissue can be damaged without warning signals being sent to the brain. This will prompt the person to change position or remove the object, causing injury. Over time, the affected area might see the development of an ulcer.

Circulatory System Issues

A person’s circulatory system is responsible for delivering blood rich in oxygen and nutrients to all the tissues in the body that need it. Without it, tissues will begin to die. Due to their extremity (distance from the heart) and the effect of gravity, a person’s feet will often be the first problem area for a person with an impaired circulatory system. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a particularly culpable condition in this instance as it may lead to numbness, skin discoloration, severe pain, ulcers, or even the patient’s demise if left unchecked.

Underlying Health Conditions

The formation of non-healing ulcers will indicate that an advanced stage of certain conditions has been reached in a patient. These conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney failure, high cholesterol, or peripheral artery disease (PAD). These conditions contribute to the formation of ulcers by causing ischemia, or the interruption of oxygenated blood to all parts of the body, or by damaging the nerves in the wound areas.

Contributing Lifestyle Habits

Some various habits and lifestyles will place patients at a heightened risk of developing non-healing ulcers. Smoking, for instance, has the effect of narrowing the vessels carrying blood to body tissues, thus increasing one’s chances of developing ulcers. A sedentary lifestyle involving little to no active movement will also carry the risk of encouraging ulcer development due to the constant pressure applied to certain tissues. Old age is also a factor here, as our skins will gradually lose their ability to repair themselves as quickly and efficiently as they once did.

 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

 

Causes of non healing ulcers and wounds2022-10-24T12:05:07-07:00

Your height & varicose veins

Does height play a role in developing varicose veins? Yes. We initially presented this information in 2018, after a study at Stanford University School of Medicine found a person’s height to be a significant risk factor for developing varicose veins. “We not only found an association between height and varicose veins, but the genetic studies we did showed a causal link,” said cardiologist and study author Dr. Nicholas Leeper, an associate professor of surgery and cardiovascular medicine at Stanford. “That suggests that the genes and pathways that drive human height are also likely to be causing varicose veins.” The study originally published in 2018, found a significant link between above-average height and vein health. In this population-based study of ~500,00 individuals, greater height appeared as a novel predictor of varicose vein disease in machine learning analyses, and was independently associated in multivariable-adjusted Cox regression.

Other known influences such as age, excess weight, being female, and genetics also play a role in the development of them. This study reveals that taller individuals, the study concluded, have a greater chance of developing them and possibly even blood clots in the legs.

The reason has to do with gravity — blood from the legs of taller people must travel a greater distance to the heart, which forces the veins to work harder. But it also has to do with genetics. The study’s authors found above-average height was not only associated with varicose veins, but could be the underlying cause of the swollen veins that rise to the surface of the legs and feet as well.

Lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of developing them by including use of compression stockings when traveling and sitting or standing for longer periods of time, exercise, weight loss (if indicated), and leg elevation. Read about measures to reduce symptoms related to varicose veins.

Original Study Published in Circulation.

Clinical and Genetic Determinants of Varicose Veins: A Prospective, Community-Based Study of ~500,000 IndividualsEri Fukaya, Alyssa M. Flores, Daniel Lindholm, Stefan Gustafsson, Daniela Zanetti, Erik Ingelsson, Nicholas J. LeeperCirculation.

 La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

 

Your height & varicose veins2022-10-24T11:41:31-07:00

What is vascular disease?

What is Vascular Disease? 

Your body contains an amazing, intricate system of arteries and veins that can contribute to vascular disease if the conditions are right. Arteries bring oxygen-rich blood from the heart to every inch of the body; veins return the blood back to the heart and lungs for more oxygen.

Most people know that heart disease can occur when blood vessels become clogged with plaque and cholesterol, but many are unaware that the same problem, often called hardening of the arteries (or atherosclerosis), can occur in any artery of the body.

Venous problems occur in the veins, often resulting in leg swelling, deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) and chronic leg problems.

Common types of artery disease include:

Carotid artery disease and stroke

Carotid arteries in the neck bring oxygen to the brain. Patients who have had a stroke, a transient ischemic attack

(TIA) or have been told they have an abnormal sound in that artery, will be referred to a vascular surgeon for diagnosis and possible treatment.

Aneurysms

Aneurysms are bulges that develop in a weakened part of an artery. While these can occur in the brain, they are most common in the aorta, which is the body's biggest artery, running from the heart through the abdomen. Aneurysms can also occur in the pelvis or the knee. They can enlarge when the heartbeat pushes against the weakened wall. In the aorta and pelvis, ruptured aortas can be fatal.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Patients with hardening of the arteries start to lose blood flow to the limbs. Early on, this may cause pain when walking, but as the disease progresses, it can cause painful foot ulcers, infections, and even gangrene, which could require amputation. People with PAD are three times more likely to die of heart attacks or strokes than those without PAD.

Common Vascular Disease Problems: 

  • Varicose veins which are often cosmetic, but can also be a sign of a more serious venous disease.
  • Chronic venous insufficiency is a potentially painful condition that is caused by blood reflux or clotting.
  • Deep vein thrombosis a blood clot in a deep leg vein.

Who are Vascular Surgeons:

Vascular surgeons train in vascular disease for five to seven years after medical school. Board certified vascular surgeons can treat any vascular condition with any treatment—medication, minimally invasive endovascular surgery, or open surgery. Many vascular conditions are lifelong, and your vascular surgeon may become a lifelong care partner. Be sure to ask to be referred to a board certified vascular surgeon.

 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

What is vascular disease?2022-10-24T11:38:09-07:00

What you need to know about venous insufficiency

When you become a patient with La Jolla Vein and Vascular, you will go through a screening process, and a vascular evaluation using ultrasound technology to diagnose your venous reflux disease. Chronic venous insufficiency is a disease affecting at least 50 million Americans. It is very common, but unfortunately undiagnosed. Through our venous insufficiency Duplex Ultrasound test, our vein specialists can determine exactly what is going on in the patient’s veins. 

The anatomy and process of venous insufficiency or venous reflux disease: 

One of the major veins that takes the blood to the heart is deep inside the muscles of the thigh and calf called the deep veins. Parallel to this lies the superficial veins inside the legs. Superficial veins dump the blood into the deep vein in the groin area and collectively they take the blood back to the heart. 

The direction of the blood flow begins from the ground up towards the heart. Both deep and superficial have a structure system known as the valves. They function as a safety unit directional valve system. Where the blood can flow upward and not downward and be open or closed off. Similarly the same type of structure is found in your heart with heart valves. 

Over the course of the years, depending on your occupation, family history, pregnancy, surgeries, any trauma or injury to your legs, and any kind of underlying muscular or skeletal problem will contribute to problems with the valves in your legs. The valves, over the course of the years may get farther apart from one another. They will still be able to open and close, but the main problem will be the blood flow will not be able to go in one direction. This causes the veins to become enlarged. As a result,  the valves remain open and the blood to flow upward and also downward. This is known as venous reflux disease or venous insufficiency. 

A consultation with one of our vein specialists for chronic venous insufficiency involves taking a detailed history and physical examination in combination with a venous reflux ultrasound study.  Based on your personal findings, a customized treatment plan will be discussed which may include doing nothing, conservative management, or various treatment options based on your individual needs. 

 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

 

What you need to know about venous insufficiency2022-10-24T11:36:50-07:00

What you need to know about abdominal aortic aneurysm

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?

The aorta, the largest artery in your body, runs from your heart, down through your chest, and into your abdomen. The abdominal region of the aorta is responsible for delivering blood to your legs, GI tract and kidneys.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when the wall of the aorta progressively weakens and begins to bulge. An AAA may continue to enlarge and eventually rupture if left untreated, causing severe internal bleeding and possibly death. Nearly 200,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with A A A annually; approximately 15,000 die each year from a ruptured AAA.

In addition to concerns about rupture, clots or debris may also develop within an AAA. These substances can be carried to other areas in the body and block circulation, causing severe pain or possibly limb loss if blood flow is cut off for too long.

AAA can be safely treated with early diagnosis; however, most patients have no symptoms.

Causes and Risk Factors:

Most aortic aneurysms are caused by a breakdown in the proteins that provide structural strength to the wall of the aorta. Some risk factors that contribute to this structural breakdown include:

  • Age—individuals over 60 years are most likely to develop the condition
  • Gender—males are more prone to the condition than females
  • History of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) • Family history of AAA
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure

Symptoms:

Most people feel no symptoms, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm is often detected when tests are conducted for other unrelated reasons. Those who do have symptoms commonly describe back pain, pulsations in the abdomen, groin pain or sometimes sores on the feet.

Diagnosis

If an abdominal aortic aneurysm is suspected, you likely will be referred for an abdominal ultrasound, a painless, safe test that can screen for and measure the size of an AAA. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) can assess aneurysm size, location and the extent of impact. This study requires exposure to radiation and injection of an intravenous contrast agent. However, a CTA provides valuable anatomic information and can help your vascular surgeon determine the optimal type of repair.

Medicare Screening Benefit

Medicare offers a free, one-time AAA ultrasound screening for qualified seniors as part of their Welcome to Medicare physical during the first 12 months of their enrollment. Men who have smoked sometime during their life and men and women with a family history of AAA are eligible for this benefit.

Treatment

Vascular surgeons can determine the best procedure for you, based on the size of your aneurysm and other factors. For smaller AAAs, you may need to make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and lowering blood pressure. You may be prescribed medication. Your surgeon will have you come back for regular checkups to see if the AAA has changed.

For large AAAs, or those that have been increasing in size over time, repair may be carried out either by placement of an endovascular stent graft or by open bypass grafting.

Be sure to see a board certified vascular surgeon. They have specific training in both minimally invasive and traditional open repairs. The type of repair conducted is very important to long term durability and freedom from rupture.

La Jolla Vein & Vascular runs  the diagnostic ultrasound for AAA, but will refer out for treatment.

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

What you need to know about abdominal aortic aneurysm2022-10-24T14:50:55-07:00

What can I expect with Foam Sclerotherapy?

Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy works well for treating surface varicose veins and veins that are not visible to the naked eye. The foam medication can be seen on ultrasound, which allows us to administer it precisely and direct it towards nearby varicose veins. Foam sclerotherapy can be safely used for veins that travel close to the skin or nerves. It also travels easily through veins with many twists and turns. 

Foam treatment of varicose veins is not as new as people think. It was originally described as early as 1944.  Foam sclerotherapy is a method for treating varicose veins. It involves injecting a foamed sclerosant medication into unhealthy varicose veins, causing them to eventually dissolve.

 

Colleagues in Spain attracted attention of some vein specialists and interest in the use of foam technology in treating venous insufficiency was reawakened. Administration of foamed sclerosant was reintroduced in the early 1990s by Cabrerra, who summarized a broad experience in 1997. By the 1990’s, broad use of diagnostic ultrasound imaging made it possible to monitor foam distribution with ultrasound scanning. Some 40 years earlier, and before the development of ultrasound scanning, foam had been used in Germany to treat varicose veins.  At that time, foam was made by special syringes and its distribution was assessed by touch, instead of ultrasound scanning.

How many treatments will I need?

The number and frequency of treatments depends on a patient’s anatomy, how well the veins respond to each treatment, and the patient’s treatment goals. The national average is 2 to 5 treatment sessions to achieve 80% improvement. Some larger or resistant veins require two or more treatments to respond completely. 

What should I expect on my treatment days?

You will sign your consent form then change into shorts provided by the office. We will clean your skin with alcohol, then use ultrasound to localize the veins. The foam medication will then be injected into your veins with a fine needle. You will elevate your legs on a wedge pillow for approximately 15 minutes. After your foam sclerotherapy treatment, we will help you into your compression stockings, then you will walk for 30 minutes prior to getting in your car. This is normal for your legs to be achy and tender to the touch after treatment. 

For more information on foam sclerotherapy, read this article.

 

 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

 

What can I expect with Foam Sclerotherapy?2022-10-24T11:28:00-07:00

Ways to treat varicose veins without procedures

Ways to treat varicose veins without procedures: conservative management and self-care.  

Conservative Management and Self-Care for Varicose Veins

Conservative management and lifestyle changes can ease the symptoms of varicose veins and help reduce complications such as thrombophlebitis (blood clots within veins) and vein rupture, but do not cause the veins to vanish. These measures are helpful if an individual is not a candidate for vein procedures or wishes to delay interventional treatment. More common options include:

Compression stockings: These elastic stockings squeeze or compress the veins to help circulate blood. The compression stockings prevent blood from flowing backward and pooling in the legs. Compression stockings must be graduated, medical grade compression to be beneficial. TED hose are not adequate to reduce symptoms in venous disease for active patients. Compression stockings come in different strengths and the most common strength for the treatment of varicose veins is 20-30mmhg. Your doctor should advise you which strength of compression stockings you should wear. In patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), diabetics, and neuropathies, compression may be contraindicated or lesser strengths of compression may be advised. 

Leg elevation: Use leg elevation three or four times a day for about 15 minutes at a time. Even elevating your legs on a step stool or ottoman is beneficial. If you need to sit or stand for a long period of time, flexing (bending) your legs occasionally can help keep blood circulating. If you have mild to moderate varicose veins, elevating your legs can help reduce leg swelling and relieve other symptoms. 

Exercise: Exercising is good for your veins because it improves blood flow. Walking, cycling, or swimming are great exercises for vein health. But be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. 

Avoid inactivity: Standing or sitting for long periods of time can aggravate your vein condition. To keep blood moving when you have to sit or stand for long periods, try these tips: at work, take walking breaks and try walking during your lunch hour. While sitting, try flexing your feet up and down 10 times an hour. When standing, raise yourself up and down on your toes or rock back and forth on your heels. 

Dietary Supplements: Supplements such as horse chestnut and grape seed extract can help reduce symptoms of venous disease. Vasculera is a prescription medication that may be helpful for some. Always check with your PCP before starting supplements or new medications as there may be side effects. 

Dietary Changes and High Fiber Diet: A flavonoid rich diet including berries, and green teas, can reduce inflammation and pain. A high fiber diet can increase abdominal pressure and may be helpful for varicose veins. Make sure to drink plenty of water with your high fiber diet. 

Anti-inflammatory Medications: are helpful to reduce pain and inflammation, but check with your doctor first to make sure you don’t have contraindications to using them. Ibuprofen and Advil are common oral anti-inflammatory medications. There are also anti-inflammatory cream or gels that can be applied topically to the painful veins, such as Voltaren gel. 

Ice packs: and heating pads can be applied to tender veins. Ice packs and heating pads can be used in an alternating manner. 

Weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight puts extra pressure on your veins. It’s optimal to manage your weight to reduce extra symptoms and pain. These are the 9 best ways to treat varicose veins with conservative management. 

 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

 

Ways to treat varicose veins without procedures2022-10-24T11:24:45-07:00

Venous Reflux Disease

What is Venous Reflux Disease?

Venous reflux disease is also known as venous stasis, venous insufficiency or venous incompetence and refers to ‘leaky valves’ in the veins of the legs. 

Reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins. The deep veins are those within the muscle; they bring at least 80-90% of the blood from the legs back to the heart. The superficial veins are outside the muscle and under the skin. The main superficial veins are the Great Saphenous Vein that courses up the middle of the thigh and calf and small saphenous vein. Normally, there are one-way valves within the leg veins, which help blood flow in one direction: toward the heart. This means blood is traveling against gravity. The calf muscle also helps move blood toward the heart. When vein valves are leaky, blood flows backward (reflux) towards the feet. Blood pools in the lower legs, causing bulging veins at the surface. 

Symptoms of Venous Reflux Disease:

Symptoms of venous reflux disease include; leg heaviness, leg fatigue, leg pain, ankle swelling, phlebitis (inflamed and painful veins), restless legs at night, and night cramps. Venous reflux disease is progressive and worsens over time. Skin changes may also develop, including darkening of the skin around the ankles. The darkening of the skin is sometimes referred to as venous stasis skin changes. The skin can become dry and itchy (venous eczema). Eventually, the skin can break down causing a wound, called a venous leg ulcer. All of which are possible symptoms of venous reflux disease to look out for. 

What influences the development of Venous Reflux Disease?

A patient is more likely to develop venous reflux disease if they are:

  • Overweight
  • Pregnant
  • Have a family history of vein disease
  • Have damage to the leg due to injury, surgery, or previous blood clots
  • High blood pressure
  • Lack of exercise
  • Smoking
  • A blood clot in a deep vein (calf or thigh) “deep vein thrombosis” 
  • Swelling and inflammation of a vein close to the skin, known as “phlebitis”

How is Venous Reflux Disease Diagnosed? 

In addition to physical exam findings and medical history, an ultrasound examination is an important tool in the assessment of venous disease. Not all venous disease is visible to the naked eye, and it usually arises from veins that are beneath the surface of the skin, only visible by ultrasound technology. 

The ultrasound allows us to see if the valves are leaky; it can detect the direction of blood flow and also detects blockages in the veins, for example from blood clots or scars within the veins from previous clots. The ultrasound will determine exactly which veins are “bad” or incompetent. Reflux may be detected in the deep veins (within the muscle), the great and small saphenous veins, and /or branches of the saphenous veins. This will help determine the treatment plan. 

 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

 

Venous Reflux Disease2022-10-24T11:22:20-07:00

Treatment for venous reflux disease

How is Venous Reflux Disease Treated? 

Step 1: Identifying the underlying problem

The first step is to treat the underlying problem, venous reflux disease. The specific pattern of venous reflux disease was detected by ultrasound. Venous reflux usually starts in the saphenous veins. The saphenous veins are most effectively treated with vein ablation procedures. This involves placing a small catheter within the vein and using heat or a solution to produce injury and eventful closure of the vein. The most commonly used treatments for the saphenous veins are radiofrequency ablation (RFA), laser ablation, mechanico-chemical ablation (MOCA or Clarivein), and in some cases Varithena Foam. The treatment recommendation is customized, based on where reflux is present and other clinical factors.  

Step 2: Varicose Veins

After the underlying saphenous vein reflux is corrected, the bulging veins (varicose veins) can be treated by injecting a foamed medication that will cause them to scar and eventually dissolve (foam sclerotherapy), or to remove them using tiny incisions. The most common method is foam sclerotherapy. This is also known as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). Both these treatments can treat venous reflux disease. 

Step 3: Spider Veins 

Spider vein treatment is always considered a cosmetic procedure. If improved cosmesis is a goal of treatment, make sure to discuss this with your doctor and plan on having cosmetic treatment as the last step. Spider vein treatment is accomplished by sclerotherapy, which is an injection of liquid medication into the spider veins. Ask your provider for an estimate about how many treatment sessions/ vials are necessary to get the results you want. 

 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

 

Treatment for venous reflux disease2022-10-24T11:19:33-07:00
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CONTACT INFORMATION

La Jolla/UTC

Vista

Patient Privacy Practices

Privacy Policy

Hippa Privacy Practices
HIPAAOneTM Certified Seal 2

Use the search features below to find articles and insights for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO

La Jolla/ UTC

North County San Diego/ Vista — Endovascular Center
Now Open! Call/Text for Appointments

© Copyright 2010-2024, La Jolla Vein & Vascular | All Rights Reserved

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