Celebrate Earth Day with Staying Active, Tips from Dr. Lucas
Nisha Bunke2021-11-04T13:46:40-07:00Today is earth day. Watch Dr. Lucas’ video on tips to keep healthy during COVID.
Dr. Lucas talks about staying healthy during COVID
22, 4, 2020
Eating for Healthier Veins
Nisha Bunke2020-08-19T00:45:26-07:00Foods that are rich in flavinoids may improve symptoms of venous disease. Flavonoids help protect plants from environmental toxins and help repair damage. They can be found in a variety of foods, such as fruits and vegetables. When we eat foods rich in flavonoids, it appears that we also benefit from this “antioxidant” power. In addition to having antioxidant qualities, research shows that flavinoids have other potential influences on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow to the brain and heart, and making blood platelets less sticky and able to clot.Flavinoids are also well known for their ‘venoactive’ effects on the blood vessels and have been proven to reduce symptoms of venous disease such as leg aching, heaviness and swelling.
Foods that are flavinoid rich include cocoa and chocolate, bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, grapes, blueberries, cranberries, apples, peanuts, onions, garlic, tea and red wine.
Remind the cook to use compression socks- long hours of standing in the kitchen can cause leg fatigue, heaviness and swelling.
Ask a Vein Expert: Live Session
Nisha Bunke2021-11-04T13:52:03-07:00Board-certified Vascular Surgeon Answers Your Questions April 24th at 10 AM on Instagram.
Live Question and Answer Session
Live stream on instagramPlease join us on April 24th at 10 AM on Instagram. Dr. Sarah Lucas, vascular surgeon and specialist in varicose vein care, will be answering your questions and addressing your vein health concerns. She will share some suggestions on measures you can take at home to care for your legs (@lajollaveincare).
26, 12, 2018
Dr. Sarah Lucas in the News
Nisha Bunke2020-12-19T04:08:38-08:00If you missed Dr. Sarah Lucas, of La Jolla Vein Care on KUSI News, you can see her here on our youtube page.
Dr. Lucas discusses venous insufficiency in pregnancy, how many women it affects and how it affects them.
26, 10, 2018
Pregnancy-Related Varicose Veins, Do Stockings Help?
Nisha Bunke2020-12-19T04:09:35-08:00Pregnancy-Related Varicose Veins, Do Stockings Help?
By Dr. Sarah Lucas
Varicose veins affect up to 30% of pregnant women, and the majority of pregnant women experience some venous insufficiency symptoms such as leg swelling, heaviness, and/or fatigue. Varicose veins most commonly emerge in the first trimester and progress over the course of the pregnancy and subsequent pregnancies. They usually improve after the baby is born, but many women never return to their pre-pregnancy state. This risk of varicose veins increases with each pregnancy, affecting more than 55% of women who have had more than two children.
For this reason, many patients ask what is the best approach to keeping their legs healthy during pregnancy. For the most part, the same guidelines apply to pregnant women as to other patients: keep active, wear compression stockings to control leg swelling and discomfort, and elevate the legs as needed. It is very rare for pregnant women to require surgery for varicose veins. We typically recommend patients wait at least three months postpartum or until breastfeeding is complete to get treatment.
A recent study presented at the European Venous Forum suggests that compression stockings may actually reduce the risk of varicose veins during pregnancy. Women with no history of varicose veins were randomly assigned to wear thigh-high compression stockings or no stockings starting in the first trimester. Among the women who completed the study, varicose veins developed in 12% of those who wore stockings vs. 27% of those who did not. This was a small study (146 patients) but encouraging for women who want to are concerned about onset or worsening of varicose veins during pregnancy.
27, 6, 2018
How to Reduce Your Risk of DVT During Air Travel
Nisha Bunke2020-12-19T04:22:23-08:00How to Reduce Your Risk of DVT During Air Travel
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 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.
29, 3, 2017
What Do Compression Stockings Do?
Nisha Bunke2020-12-19T04:25:38-08:00You 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.
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
How Do I Know If I Have An Underlying Vein Problem?
Nisha Bunke2020-12-19T03:59:38-08:00Varicose Veins Are Not Always Visible to the Naked Eye
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.
Veins are not always visible to the eye
6, 5, 2016
Common Misconceptions… Do I have spider veins or varicose veins?
Nisha Bunke2020-12-19T01:54:10-08:00Common Misconceptions… Do I have spider veins or varicose veins?
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.
16, 2, 2016
What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?
Nisha Bunke2020-12-19T02:30:36-08:00Varicose 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
