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

3, 6, 2014

Varicose Veins: Why Me?

2021-11-04T16:58:20-07:00

Who gets varicose veins and why.

Both women and men can develop vein disorders at any age.  It can affect the healthiest of individuals, but there are some conditions that increase your risk of developing varicose veins.  They are mostly inherited; if both of your parents had varicose veins, you have a 90% chance of also having them.  Other factors that increase your chance of developing vein disorders include being female, hormonal changes, pregnancy, getting older, having a job that requires many hours standing or sitting, being overweight, and a history of leg injuries.

  • Increasing age. As you get older, the valves in your veins may weaken and not work as well.
  • Heredity. Being born with weak vein valves increases your risk. Having family members with vein problems also increases your risk. About half of all people who have varicose veins have a family member who has them too.
  • Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone also may contribute to the forming of varicose or spider veins.
  • Pregnancy. The hormones during pregnancy greatly influence the leg veins. Varicose veins can even be a symptom of pregnancy and can show up during the first trimester. As pregnancy progresses, there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The growing uterus  also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. More varicose veins and spider veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy.
  • Obesity. Being overweight or obese can put extra pressure on your veins. This can lead to varicose veins.
  • Lack of movement. Sitting or standing for a long time may force your veins to work harder to pump blood to your heart. This may be a bigger problem if you sit with your legs bent or crossed.
  • Leg Injuries

    LJVC

    Varicose Veins: Before and After Treatment. These varicose veins were removed without traditional vein stripping surgery at La Jolla Vein Care. To read more about minimally invasive varicose veins treatments, go to www.july01ljvascular.com

Varicose Veins: Why Me?2021-11-04T16:58:20-07:00

How does graduated compression help with the management of varicose veins?

2021-11-04T16:53:44-07:00

 

Graduated compression therapy is used to treat vein disorders such as varicose veins, venous leg ulcer, venous insufficiency, venous reflux disease, swelling, and after vein treatments.  They work by applying external pressure to your legs reducing venous pressure. These elastic stockings squeeze or compress the veins and prevent blood from flowing backward. Compression stockings must be graduated, medical-grade compression to be beneficial. Graduated compression stockings are great to use if your want to increase circulation, support your leg veins, and want to reduce uncomfortable leg symptoms such as swelling, tired and achy feeling legs.

graduated_compression_leg_1Over-the-counter support hose or TED hose are not adequate to reduce symptoms in venous disease for active patients. More questions about compression therapy can be answered at compressrx.com.

How does graduated compression help with the management of varicose veins?2021-11-04T16:53:44-07:00

30, 5, 2014

Can Varicose Veins Cause Leg Ulcers?

2021-11-03T23:17:13-07:00
ulcer-before-1

VENOUS LEG ULCER, BEFORE: This is a venous leg ulcer, caused by venous reflux or venous insufficiency. In this picture, you can see varicose veins above the wound.

After

VENOUS LEG ULCER, AFTER: Because this individual had reflux only in the superficial varicose veins, treatment consisted of foam sclerotherapy of the varicosities and compression with unna boot dressing. The wound healed rapidly and note that the varicose veins are gone.

A venous leg ulcer is an open wound on the leg, caused by long-standing vein problems. It is the most severe form of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Venous leg ulcers are common, accounting for over 70% of all leg wounds. It affects 1% of Americans and is the seventh leading cause for disability in the United States.

It is usually located around the ankle (on the inner or outer sides). It is caused by underlying venous insufficiency, or venous reflux.  The persistent venous reflux (back flow of blood through faulty valves) causes high pressure within the leg veins.  The high pressure, is then exerting outward on the skin, causing an inflammatory response, eventually causing the skin to break down.  Visible signs of venous disease are varicose veins, ankle swelling, skin discoloration around the ankle and usually precede the leg wound.  Underlying venous insufficiency can be detected by duplex ultrasound imaging (a non-painful study).

The treatment of venous leg ulcers is to correct the underlying problem: the faulty veins. Treatment of the underlying non-functional veins will reduce pressure from venous hypertension, allowing the wound to heal.  There are a number of non-surgical treatment options that can accomplish this including foam sclerotherapy and endovenous ablation, depending on the affected veins. To determine if your leg wound is related to a vein problem or for treatment options, call us for more information.

Can Varicose Veins Cause Leg Ulcers?2021-11-03T23:17:13-07:00

How many veins can be treated before I run out?

2021-11-04T16:49:42-07:00

 

Before

Before

 

 

The veins that can be treated are in the superficial venous system. These veins are located in the subcutaneous tissue and are only responsible for a very small amount of blood return from the legs. All of the diseased superficial veins can be treated because once these veins are closed, the blood is re-routed into the deep veins. The deep system is a more competent system and can accommodate all of the blood from the superficial veins. So, every last problematic superficial vein can be treated with great success.

How many veins can be treated before I run out?2021-11-04T16:49:42-07:00

I was told I have a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), what does that mean?

2014-05-29T00:16:01-07:00

I was told I have a Deep Vein Thrombosis-DVT, what does that mean?

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in one of the veins in the deep venous system. There are 2 types of veins in the legs, deep and superficial. Deep veins are deep within the muscle and are responsible for 90% of the blood return from the legs to the lungs and heart. These veins are necessary for life. Superficial veins are in the subcutaneous tissue and are not needed, therefore can be treated. Blood clots occur when the blood thickens and sticks together. A blood clot in the deep veins can break off and travel up through the bloodstream, becoming an embolism. The most serious and immediate concern is a pulmonary embolism, which is when the blood clot travels to an artery in the lungs and blocks blood flow. This can cause damage to the lungs or other organs and can cause death. A blood clot in the thigh is more likely to break off than a clot in the lower legs. A DVT is diagnosed by a venous ultrasound of the leg. A physician will decide if a blood thinner is needed for treatment of the blood clot based on a variety of factors. If a blood clot is suspected, an ultrasound is necessary immediately and a physician should be notified.

I was told I have a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), what does that mean?2014-05-29T00:16:01-07:00

Why is Ultrasound Scanning Important With Small Vein Conditions?

2021-11-04T16:32:35-07:00
a3

This picture demonstrates spider veins at the surface level may actually arise from veins that are not visible to the naked eye. These can be seen with ultrasound scanning.

Venous duplex ultrasound allows us to identify problems within the blood vessels that are not visible to the naked eye. Sometimes, the varicose veins or even small spider veins on the surface of the skin are just the ‘tip of the iceburg.’

Why is Ultrasound Scanning Important With Small Vein Conditions?2021-11-04T16:32:35-07:00

What If I need my Great Saphenous Vein for Bypass Someday?

2021-11-04T16:18:45-07:00
GSV1

The Great Saphenous Vein is a vein of the superficial venous system that drains blood from the skin and tissues into the deep system. It is most commonly the root of the problem in people with varicose veins. When the great saphenous vein is dysfunctional, removing it is the first step of vein treatment.

A great saphenous vein that needs treatment is not functioning properly. When a vein is diseased, the walls become weak and the vessel can dilate or grow triple its’ normal size. This is not the type of vessel that would be ideal to place in a diseased heart. While the saphenous vein is a common vein that is harvested for bypass grafts, there are other options such as the internal thoracic artery in the chest and the radial artery which is in the arm. With these options, an artery replaces an artery and the removal of the valves inside the veins is not necessary. It is important for the entire circulatory system to be functioning properly, together.

What If I need my Great Saphenous Vein for Bypass Someday?2021-11-04T16:18:45-07:00

Why Do My Varicose Veins Hurt in Warm Weather?

2014-05-13T23:28:20-07:00

Today, San Diegans experienced an unseasonable heat wave and gusty winds.  Many people with varicose veins may notice worsening leg pain today or with warm weather and heat in general.

The reason for this is that heat causes veins to expand and trap more blood. In unhealthy veins, such as varicose veins, the walls are weak allowing for them to relax and fill with blood.  The pooling of blood does not circulate well in varicose veins, causing increased pressure within the leg veins.  This can give the sensation of sluggishness, pain, aching, heaviness and swelling. Hot tubs, whirlpool baths, heated floors, sitting near a heat source and working in overheated rooms can all add to the problem.

 

Why Do My Varicose Veins Hurt in Warm Weather?2014-05-13T23:28:20-07:00

Dr. Fronek Hosts PBS Special On Vein Care

2021-11-04T16:00:06-07:00

Watch La Jolla Vein Care’s Dr. Fronek on PBS’s special on vein care, ‘Ask A Vein Expert- A Phlebologist’ to learn more about venous disease. More than 80 million Americans suffer from some type of vein disorder. More than 30 million people are undiagnosed with varicose veins or venous insufficiency.  Are you one of them?

Watch Dr. Fronek and colleagues on PBS to understand more about vein conditions and treatment options on the ACP websitePBSSpecial. 

 

 

Dr. Fronek Hosts PBS Special On Vein Care2021-11-04T16:00:06-07:00
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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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