27, 6, 2018

How to Reduce Your Risk of DVT During Air Travel

2020-12-19T04:22:23-08:00

How to Reduce Your Risk of DVT During Air Travel

woman passenger in terminal

woman passenger in terminal

There is a known correlation between air travel and deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which is a potentially fatal blood clot that forms in the veins of the legs. Blood clots in the leg veins occur in 1% of airline passengers on flights longer than 8 hours. The longer the flight, the higher the risk of DVT. There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of DVT during air travel. Prolonged sitting and non-movement of the legs cause blood to pool in the leg veins, making blood more susceptible to forming clots. This in combination with other factors such as potential hypoxia in the airplane cabin (Gavish) and dehydration may increase the risk of air travel related DVT. Individual risk factors include age over 40 years, gender (female), women who use oral contraceptives, varicose veins in lower limbs, obesity, pregnancy and genetic thrombophilia.

Deep Venous Thrombosis

Deep venous thrombosis is when a blood clot forms within the leg veins

The term ‘economy class syndrome‘ has been used to refer to DVTs in passengers sitting in economy class- where there is limited leg room to extend the legs. People who have these risk factors are predisposed to hypercoagulability and are more susceptible to suffer venous thromboembolism during air travel.

Tips to reduce your risk of travel-related DVT and keep blood circulating in the leg veins.
#1) Move: Every 45 minutes, walk about the cabin when possible

If you are unable to walk, use your calf muscle pump by flexing and extending your feet.

#2) Wear graduated elastic compression stockings.

#3) Stay hydrated. People tend to drink less on-the-go. Drink frequently. Drink a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you drink.

#4) Wear loose, non-restrictive clothing

#5) Elevate your legs. If your seat lacks a foot rest, use a backpack to prop your legs up.

#6) Talk to your doctor if you have a known risk factor for forming blood clots, if you are pregnant or have recently given birth; use birth control or other hormone therapies or have an active cancer. When necessary, a blood-thinning medicine can be prescribed on the days of air travel to reduce the risk of DVT.

 

Reference:

1: Gavish I, Brenner B. Air travel and the risk of thromboembolism. Intern Emerg

Med. 2011 Apr;6(2):113-6.

How to Reduce Your Risk of DVT During Air Travel2020-12-19T04:22:23-08:00

29, 3, 2017

What Do Compression Stockings Do?

2020-12-19T04:25:38-08:00

You wear compression stockings to improve blood flow in your legs.  Compression stockings gently squeeze your legs to move blood up your legs. This helps prevent leg swelling and, to a lesser extent, blood clots.

 

image of person putting on compression stockings

person putting on compression stockings

If you have varicose veins spider veins, or have just had surgery, your health care provider may prescribe compression stockings.

Wearing stockings helps with:

  • Aching and heavy feeling in legs
  • Swelling in legs
  • Preventing blood clots, primarily after surgery or injury when you are less active

source:https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000597.htm

What Do Compression Stockings Do?2020-12-19T04:25:38-08:00

How Do I Know If I Have An Underlying Vein Problem?

2020-12-19T03:59:38-08:00

Varicose Veins Are Not Always Visible to the Naked Eye

varicose-vein-valve-image-on-legs

dysfunctional vein valves

Most vein conditions are not visible to the naked eye. The veins that are visible can be the ‘tip of the iceberg’ indicating an underlying problem. Therefore, a duplex ultrasound examination may be recommended to determine if there is an underlying condition called, venous inssufficiency. Venous insufficiency indicates when the vein valves are leaky.

Bulging, ropy varicose veins, and spider veins in certain anatomic regions of the body such as the inner ankles and inner thighs or blue veins behind the knees suggest underlying venous insufficiency.

svmagnifying-glass-1030x687

Veins are not always visible to the eye

How Do I Know If I Have An Underlying Vein Problem?2020-12-19T03:59:38-08:00

6, 5, 2016

Common Misconceptions… Do I have spider veins or varicose veins?

2020-12-19T01:54:10-08:00

Common Misconceptions… Do I have spider veins or varicose veins?

 

photo of spider veins on back of thighs

spider veins on back of thighs

 

There is a common misconception of what varicose and spider veins really are. It may be embarrassing for some to admit that they have varicose veins or they simply just think that they have spider veins. Although spider veins can be fed from varicose veins, they are simply not the same. Let’s start with spider veins… What are they? Spider veins are typically purple web-like veins that appear either scattered all over the leg or in clusters. Although they can be symptomatic, they are usually painless and are considered cosmetic. They lie almost, if not, flat on the skin and are often described as “unsightly.” Varicose veins on the other hand are bulgy. People describe them as snake or rope like or even like a little brain. Varicose veins protrude from the skin and are not considered a cosmetic condition, but rather a medical condition. They can also be either symptomatic or asymptomatic. To properly diagnose patients with either spider veins or varicose veins, a thorough consultation should be done to examine the patient’s legs and areas of concern. Sometimes, certain patterns of spider veins indicate that there may be an underlying vein condition. An ultrasound examination can be done to properly diagnose varicose veins and underlying vein conditions.

Common Misconceptions… Do I have spider veins or varicose veins?2020-12-19T01:54:10-08:00

16, 2, 2016

What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?

2020-12-19T02:30:36-08:00

Varicose veins and spider veins develop gradually and progressively. They are unsightly and are often a source of considerable discomfort. Both varicose veins and spider veins can cause symptoms. Symptoms often become worse during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy for women. The symptoms can include:

  • Aching, tenderness
  • Heaviness, fatigue
  • General restlessness in the legs
  • Burning pain
  • Throbbing pain
  • Itching
  • Leg cramps, particularly at night
  • Ankle swelling
  • Skin discoloration at the ankle
  • Skin ulcers above the ankle
What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?2020-12-19T02:30:36-08:00

9, 10, 2015

What’s So Great About the Great Saphenous Vein?

2022-04-24T23:30:58-07:00

Great Saphenous vein and short saphenous vein

The great saphenous vein (GSV), previously referred to as the long saphenous vein, is a superficial leg vein that runs from the top of the thigh near the groin, down the inner thigh all the way to the inner ankle. The top blue arrow in this diagram points to the location of the great saphenous vein.

The Great Saphenous vein is responsible for varicose veins about 80% of the time. When varicose veins appear in the inner thigh or calf areas, the GSV is often the culprit (see picture). The other superficial vein is largely responsible for varicose veins in the small saphenous vein. The small saphenous vein (SSV) runs along the back of the calf. The SSV was previously referred to as the short saphenous vein. Varicose veins on the backside of the leg are often caused by leaky valves within the small saphenous vein.

varicose-DSCF5885_fotorvaricose-21after_fotor

 

What’s So Great About the Great Saphenous Vein?2022-04-24T23:30:58-07:00

9, 9, 2015

30, 3, 2015

What are varicose veins and spider veins?

2021-11-04T14:40:52-07:00
7after_fotor

Spider veins are like varicose veins but smaller. Often, they are red or blue. They can look like tree branches or spiderwebs with their short, jagged lines. This patient had large clusters bluish colored spider veins around the knee (see top picture). These were treated with sclerotherapy injections at La Jolla Vein Care (after picture on bottom). To see how sclerotherapy works, go to La Jolla Vein Care’s Youtube channel.

DSCF2383_fotor

Varicose veins are bulging, twisted veins located just under the skin. This is a before and after picture of a patient who was treated at La Jolla Vein Care with radiofrequency ablation and foam sclerotherapy to dissolve the varicose veins. There are no surgical incisions with these treatments.

Varicose (VAR-i-kos) veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red, or flesh-colored. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They can be swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are often found on the thighs, backs of the calves, or the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins can form around the vagina and buttocks.

Spider veins are like varicose veins but smaller. They also are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. Often, they are red or blue. They can look like tree branches or spiderwebs with their short, jagged lines. They can be found on the legs and face and can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.

 

What are varicose veins and spider veins?2021-11-04T14:40:52-07:00

7, 1, 2015

How To Reduce Discomfort From Varicose Veins

2021-11-04T14:48:25-07:00

How To Reduce Discomfort From Varicose Veins:stp

Varicose and spider veins may be treated with lifestyle changes or medical procedures.

The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and for some to improve appearance.  Lifestyle changes can ease the symptoms but do not cause the veins to vanish.  These include:

  • Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time:  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.
  • 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.
  • Weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight puts extra pressure on your veins.
  • 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.
  • Compression stockings: 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. Over-the-counter support hose or TED hose are not adequate to reduce symptoms in venous disease for active patients.
  • Supplements such as horse chestnut and grape seed extract can help reduce symptoms of venous disease
  • Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen
  • ice packs can be applied to veins that are tender to reduce inflammation
How To Reduce Discomfort From Varicose Veins2021-11-04T14:48:25-07:00

29, 12, 2014

Choosing Between Anti-Embolism & Compression Stockings

2021-11-13T12:56:13-08:00

Choosing Between Anti-Embolism & Compression Stockings

Anti-embolism stockings, also known as TED hoses, are designed specifically for non-mobile patients or those confined to a bed. These are the white stockings used for hospital patients. They are low-cost temporary solutions commonly used for patients in nursing homes and post-surgery to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Graduated Compression Stockings

Graduated compression therapy provides external support to the vein walls and works in conjunction with the calf muscle pump. Compression stockings improve circulation while helping to minimize and control leg and ankle swelling.

Anti Embolism Stockings Vs Compression Stockings

However, for ambulatory (walking patients who are not bed-bound), TED hoses do not offer sufficient support to counter the effects of gravity.  They have not graduated compression and only offer about 8-18mmhg compression. TED hose does not help the symptoms of venous disease and varicose veins. TED hose cannot be used for vein treatment and should not be used for daily support in walking patients.

In comparison, graduated compression stockings are medically therapeutic and designed for people who are mobile. Graduated compression means that they are tightest around the ankle and gradually ease as they go up. These can help reduce the risk of DVT in patients who travel by plane or car and reduce symptoms such as leg swelling (edema), aching, heaviness, fatigue, pain from varicose veins, and useful for pregnant women to reduce pain from varicose veins.

Choosing Between Anti-Embolism & Compression Stockings2021-11-13T12:56:13-08:00
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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

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