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So far La Jolla Vein Care has created 122 blog entries.

8, 7, 2014

Foam Treatment of Venous Malformations

2021-11-05T13:22:04-07:00
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Venous malformation of the lateral leg before treatment. Venous malformations appear like abnormally dilated bluish vessels near the surface of the skin. They appear in clusters and look different than typical varicose veins. They often appear during childhood, as opposed to varicose veins.

Venous malformations comprise either superficial or deep veins that are abnormally formed and dilated.  Although they usually are present at birth, they may not be seen until years later into adolescence or even adulthood. The natural history of a venous malformation is slow, steady enlargement. However, events such as surgery, trauma, infection, or hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy or menopause may cause rapid expansion.

At La Jolla Vein Care, we frequently evaluate and treat superficial venous malformations of the legs. Prior to treatment, it is important to have thorough diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound examination to ensure an accurate diagnosis of a pure venous malformation.  If an arterial connection (arterial venous malformation) is suspected on ultrasound evaluation, further imaging with CT or MR arteriogram may be necessary. Venous malformations can also occur in other syndromes, such as Klippel -Trenaunay syndrome and may involve the abnormal development of the deep veins.

Pure venous malformations can be treated without surgery. Foam sclerotherapy is a common treatment type.  Foam sclerotherapy uses a technique to inject a foamed sclerosing solution into the cluster of varicose veins, which will cause them to collapse and eventually dissolve.

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Venous malformation after treatment with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy at La Jolla Vein Care. Treatment can reduce the symptoms associated with venous malformations such as leg pain, aching and throbbing.

Foam Treatment of Venous Malformations2021-11-05T13:22:04-07:00

8 Warning Signs of Vein Disease: #4 Swollen Ankles

2021-11-05T04:26:19-07:00
After

Ankle swelling related to varicose veins and venous insufficiency may be subtle, leaving indentations from socks.

Swollen Ankles at Night

Thick, swollen ankles are signs that blood or other fluid is congested in the leg and/or leg veins. Over time, damaged vein walls can become even more stretched out and permeable, allowing fluid and protein to filter from the veins into surrounding leg tissue. When you lie down at night, the pressure from gravity is equalized across your leg. Usually, vein related swelling (venous edema) becomes apparent later in the day or worse throughout the day and improved with leg elevation or overnight during sleep.  Often in the morning, there may be no swelling. But, as the day progresses gravity causes poo

Pooling of blood around the ankle in incompetent veins. Venous insufficiency is one of the most common causes of ankle swelling that worsens throughout the day. Sometimes, the swelling can be subtle, leaving indentations from sock lines. Or, it may cause the skin to feel firm, shiny, or puffy by the end of the day.

If you have swelling, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider. Venous insufficiency can be diagnosed with a venous duplex sonogram, which is a non-invasive study of the leg veins.

8 Warning Signs of Vein Disease: #4 Swollen Ankles2021-11-05T04:26:19-07:00

8 Warning Signs of Vein Disease: #3 Open Sores or Ulcers on the Lower Leg

2014-07-02T00:16:13-07:00
Before

Venous leg ulcers are the result of chronic venous insufficiency and venous hypertension, which causes the skin to break down.

When chronic venous insufficiency reaches its most serious point, ulcers may appear on the lower leg. These open ulcers are the result of blood leaking into the leg tissue and damaging the skin. Open sores need to be treated by a doctor immediately.

8 Warning Signs of Vein Disease: #3 Open Sores or Ulcers on the Lower Leg2014-07-02T00:16:13-07:00

30, 6, 2014

New Product: The Scat Belt Becoming a Favorite Exercise Companion

2022-01-04T04:33:14-08:00

Exercise is an important component of good vein health.  Exercise empties the veins of the legs and is beneficial to the cardiovascular system.  As a result, regular exercise, even a walking routine is beneficial to the leg veins and can help reduce leg symptoms. A new product was developed that keeps you safe during outdoor exercises, such as going on evening walks or hiking in areas that are less populated. The Scat Urban Belt, allows you to carry pepper spray, a super loud alarm, a smartphone, and even a bottle of water!  For more information, go to scatbelt.com.

Access pepper spray, an ear-piercing personal alarm, and smartphone within seconds – also carry a bottle of water.

scat-urban-indiegogo

The SCAT URBAN Belt is lightweight, comfortable, and provides peace of mind because you’re prepared and protected. The Urban comes in three great colors and two adjustable sizes for optimal fit.

New Product: The Scat Belt Becoming a Favorite Exercise Companion2022-01-04T04:33:14-08:00

8 Warning Signs of Vein Disease: #2 Discoloration of the Skin

2021-11-03T17:41:45-07:00

Discoloration of the Skin

Over time, leakage of the blood into the area surrounding the veins can cause tissue to die. The resulting pooling of blood in the tissue causes a darkening of the skin. It is at this stage that the skin is actually stained by your own blood.  This is also known as venous stasis skin changes, skin hyperpigmentation, or venous stasis dermatitis because the skin is often inflamed, itchy, and eczema-like.  This is most frequently caused by venous reflux, an underlying condition that can be treated. When skin changes like these are present, the condition is termed chronic venous insufficiency. Over time, the skin condition may worsen and the skin may become darker, firm to touch, scaly, and itchy, and the skin may break down causing a venous leg ulcer.

8 Warning Signs of Vein Disease: #2 Discoloration of the Skin2021-11-03T17:41:45-07:00

8 Warning Signs of Vein Disease: #1Tired, Heavy Legs

2021-11-05T04:03:22-07:00

Tired, heavy-feeling legs

One of the first signs of vein disease- your legs feeling chronically tired and heavy. This is a clear indication that the return flow of blood from the legs to the heart is impaired. The result is oxygen depletion in your legs and pooling of blood, increasing the pressure in your legs, giving you that tired, heavy feeling.

varicose veins

Varicose veins most frequently cause the legs to become heavy, achy and tired. But, these symptoms can be present even in the absence of varicose veins. Venous insufficiency, the underlying cause for varicose veins can cause leg heaviness, tiredness and swelling even before bulging veins are visible.

Many people think it is normal to have tired, heavy legs or that it is a part of aging. It is not. If you or someone you know, suffers from these symptoms, especially legs that become tired and heavy toward the end of the day, causing you go slow down your activities to sit and elevate the legs, you should get checked out for venous insufficiency.

8 Warning Signs of Vein Disease: #1Tired, Heavy Legs2021-11-05T04:03:22-07:00

What are Vein Valves?

2021-11-04T19:47:30-07:00
healthy_and_diseased_valves

In healthy veins, the valves close after the blood flows towards the heart, preventing backflow.
When veins become dilated, the valves cannot close properly, allowing blood to flow back towards the ankle.

Vein valves play a critical role in helping blood flow through the veins back to the heart. Like swinging doors, valves open to allow blood to flow toward the heart and flap closed again to prevent the flow of blood back down the legs. If the veins become dilated, the flap-like valves cannot completely close, making them incapable of preventing the backflow of blood. This ‘back flow’ of blood through dysfunctional valves is called venous reflux or venous insufficiency.

What are Vein Valves?2021-11-04T19:47:30-07:00

Dr. Bunke Trains Doctors Using Vein Simulator

2021-11-05T11:34:45-07:00

Dr. Bunke Paquette instructed doctors on advanced techniques of sclerotherapy last week at a workshop hosted by the Society for Vascular Medicine. Dr. Bunke used a special training model, called a ‘sclerotrainer,’ which allows educators to teach vein injection techniques on a lifelike model that includes veins filled with fluid that is the same viscosity as blood, of varying sizes and depth and veins.  This device made it possible for many clinicians to perfect different injection techniques for tiny telangiectatic and reticular veins.

scleroworkshop

La Jolla Vein Care’s Dr. Bunke Paquette instructs doctors on techniques for sclerotherapy of telangiectasias and reticular veins on a life-like model of veins.

scleroworkshop3

The Sclerotrainer is a lifelike model that includes veins filled with fluid that is the same viscosity as blood, of varying sizes and depth and veins. This allows educators to teach vein injection techniques for the treatment of small spider and reticular veins.

The La Jolla Vein Care staff also helped out with the lesson and shared their expertise with the physicians.

Dr. Bunke Trains Doctors Using Vein Simulator2021-11-05T11:34:45-07:00

7 Signs of Venous Disease

2021-11-05T11:14:23-07:00

#1 A feeling of heaviness or fullness in the legs that gets worse as the day progresses.

#2 Leg fatigue and tiredness in the legs, which also becomes worse by the end of the day and after prolonged standing or sitting. Some patients describe their legs as being ‘full of energy in the morning but are tired by the evening. For example, after a long day at work, Disney land, or the grocery store, you may feel like you need to run to a chair to recline and elevate your legs.

#3 Leg swelling, mostly affecting the ankles. Your legs may be normal in the morning but you notice swelling or that your shoes are tight by the end of the day.

#4 Leg pain. This can occur generally, or along a varicose vein, especially those that run on the outside of the leg or behind the knees. Some patients report localized pain along the vein that feels like burning or throbbing. Leg pain that is worse during exercise may indicate a different problem.

#5 Night cramps. These are cramps usually in the calf or thighs that occur only at night.

#6 Restless Legs: a feeling of restlessness during the night, that may interrupt sleep. You may have to get out of bed to walk around and move your legs.

#7 Noticeable bulging, twisted veins called varicose veins

symptoms

7 Signs of Venous Disease2021-11-05T11:14:23-07:00

Dr. Bunke Presents at SVM Scientific Sessions

2021-11-05T11:10:02-07:00
NBSVMMEETING

Dr Nisha Bunke Paquette presents at the SVM Annual Scientific Meeting in La Jolla, Torrey Pines Hilton June 2014.

La Jolla Vein Care’s Dr. Nisha Bunke presented a talk about the ‘Management of Non-healing wounds in venous disease’ at the Society for Vascular Medicine’s Annual Scientific Sessions this past weekend. She spoke about venous leg ulcers, which she described as being the most common type of chronic leg ulcer, how to make the correct diagnosis and how to heal the venous leg ulcers.

Other topics at the meeting included venous thromboembolism (DVT), diagnosing and treatments for DVT, atypical wounds, phlebectomy, management of the diabetic wound, duplex evaluation of the lower extremities for DVT, doppler evaluation of the arterial system, lymphedema, lipedema, and many other venous, arterial and lymphatic system topics.

Dr. Bunke Presents at SVM Scientific Sessions2021-11-05T11:10:02-07:00
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