8, 7, 2022

How to reduce bruising and swelling after vein treatment

2022-06-25T16:45:43-07:00

One way to reduce bruising after surgery

 

One of the most common side effects after surgery is bruising. Whether it is due to plastic surgery or vein surgery, bruising and swelling are inevitable. One of the most powerful tools that we recommend for patients undergoing any type of surgery is RECOVA post surgery cream

 

Dr Nishe Bunke created RECOVA cream as a post surgical recovery cream specifically designed to reduce bruising, swelling, redness, and pain. RECOVA skin creams are packed with antioxidants and natural ingredients that promote healing and reduce inflammation. 

 

RECOVA cream aids in reducing pain, swelling, and discoloration after cosmetic surgery, injections, and procedures, laser treatments, varicose vein procedures, Sclerotherapy, minor injuries, and easy bruising. 

 

Our patients at La Jolla Vein Care have seen quick transformation post procedures. The combination of natural ingredients in RECOVA cream helps aid in quicker recovery.

 

 The powerful ingredients that help reduce bruising included in RECOVA are listed below:  

 

Arnica Montana is a flower extract that helps with inflammation, swelling, and bruise recovery. 

 

Grapeseed Oil has numerous benefits and includes numerous vitamins such as vitamin E. It is a flavonoid that aids in chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, and edema. 

 

Bromelain is an enzyme that is a natural remedy for inflammation and swelling.

 

Horse Chestnut is used to improve poor blood circulation, reduce swelling, and for varicose vein symptoms. 

 

Caprylhydroxamic Acid is an amino acid derived from coconut oil used as a gentle preservative that ensures product safety and longevity. 

 

Witch Hazel is used for swelling and inflammation. It is used to shrink varicose veins and hemorrhoids as well as reduce rosacea and clear redness of the skin. 

 

Butcher’s Broom is used for natural anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to reduce swelling and reduce varicose vein symptoms. 

 

Sunflower Seed Oil is packed with vitamins A, E, C, and D. 

 

Menthol is not present in the tinted RECOVA, since Tinted Arnica is often used around the eyes. 

 

The combination of these ingredients contributes to an overall comforting and healing sensation when applied to the skin. 

 

RECOVA is a tool that stands out due to its natural ingredients that aid in venous disease symptoms. RECOVA is hypoallergenic, and non comedogenic. RECOVA is also free of parabens, phthalates, preservatives, synthetic additives, and dyes, and never tested on animals. 

 

Patients have used RECOVA cream after vein procedures and have seen quick and lasting results. We recommend physicians offer this for patients if they complain of redness, itching, and bruising after their procedures. RECOVA offers immediate soothing relief of discomfort for our patients. 

 

Check out RECOVA online for more information and to purchase RECOVA tinted arnica cream and RECOVA post surgery cream. 

 

How to reduce bruising and swelling after vein treatment2022-06-25T16:45:43-07:00

Spider Veins: Before & After Transformation

2022-06-25T16:03:26-07:00

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are the fine, thread-like reddish veins at the surface of the skin. These veins are not healthy. Veins are often considered a cosmetic issue, but they can be associated with underlying feeder veins, not visible to the naked eye.  Feeder veins are the ‘blue veins’ also known as ‘reticular veins,’ that give rise to spider veins. Spider veins may also be a sign of underlying venous insufficiency. For example, spider veins located in the inner ankles and inner thighs can indicate an underlying problem with the saphenous vein. As a result, an ultrasound examination may be recommended to identify and effectively treat the underlying source of these veins.

What are the symptoms?

Vein conditions affect people differently. For some, these veins can be a painless cosmetic concern, and for others they may cause symptoms. The most common symptoms of spider veins are burning, throbbing, and localized pain. They can also feel hot and itchy and bleed.

What causes them?

Spider veins in the legs are caused by the same condition that causes varicose veins. Leaky vein valves allow blood to pool within the veins causing them to stretch and become enlarged. These veins on other areas of the body, such as the face, and chest can be caused by sun damage, hormone changes or liver disease. Hormones, such as with pregnancy, birth control or hormone replacement therapy can weaken the vein wall.

Below you can see the transformation of 3 of our patients who received vein treatment.

spider veinsspider veinsspider veins

If you experience any vein disease symptoms, please call our office at (858)-434-5998 to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable doctors at La Jolla Vein and Vascular.

For more information on vein health please check out our Youtube Channel or visit our helpful guide of resources. 

Spider Veins: Before & After Transformation2022-06-25T16:03:26-07:00

What are the adverse effects of vein treatment?

2022-06-25T15:48:17-07:00

Adverse effects of vein treatment are uncommon, but they can occur. Below are some signs to look out for if you have recently had vein treatment. 

Patients generally do very well with vein treatments, all of which have a low risk of complications. Most patients feel the benefits within a couple of weeks of treatment, for others it may take longer. With all treatments, the benefits need to be discussed along with the potential side effects or adverse events. The following are potential adverse effects from thermal vein ablations we tell our patients.

  • Aching over the treated veins is normal. This responds well to walking, ice packs, and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
  • Bruising over injection sites is also normal after vein treatment and resolves in about two weeks.
  • Hyperpigmentation over a vein can occur from blood pigments that are released as the vein is healing. It is more common in patients with large bulging veins and certain complexions. Hyperpigmentation tends to fade over many weeks if you stay out of direct sunlight.
  • Intravascular hematoma refers to a large varicose vein that becomes firm and tender days to weeks after treatment. This also responds well to ice packs and anti-inflammatory medications. We may also recommend a confirmatory ultrasound and/or offer needle drainage of the trapped blood to alleviate discomfort and minimize skin pigmentation and adverse effects.
  • Deep vein clots are very uncommon, and usually are limited to patients with poor mobility, advanced age, hormone treatment, and/or genetic tendency for clotting. We monitor all patients with ultrasound throughout treatment so we can detect clots at a very early stage before they cause a symptom. We may recommend surveillance ultrasounds, extra walking, and/or a short course of blood thinners.
  • Numb spot over a treated vein is another uncommon event after radiofrequency or laser vein ablation. This occurs when a branch of a skin nerve gets stunned during the heat treatment. It tends to improve over several weeks. The nerves that control the movement of the leg and foot are located far from the superficial veins.

If you experience any vein disease symptoms, please call our office at (858)-434-5998 to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable doctors at La Jolla Vein and Vascular.

For more information on vein health please check out our Youtube Channel or visit our helpful guide of resources.

What are the adverse effects of vein treatment?2022-06-25T15:48:17-07:00

Vein Health: Helpful Anatomy Phrases to Better Understand

2022-12-13T14:15:11-08:00

If you’re not a vascular specialist, it may be difficult to understand the words used to describe your vein condition and understand vein health. Vein terms are not used in everyday life.  Especially, when it comes to the anatomy of the veins. Below is a glossary of the terms, we as vein specialists, use on a daily basis but may be foreign to the patient.  This is provided from the American Vein and Lymphatic Society (AVLS) healthyveins.org.

Anatomical Vein Terms for Vein Health:

Anterior: The front of a body part.

Posterior: Back of a body part.

​Deep Leg Vein: The veins that are deep in the thigh and leg that carry blood back to the heart.

​Connective Tissue: This strong tissue is the white tissue that covers muscle.

Great Saphenous Vein: (sometimes called GSV or long saphenous vein) A long vein that can be seen just in front of the ankle bone. This vein travels along the inside of the leg and thigh (about one-half inch beneath the skin in the thigh) until it empties into the deep vein called the common femoral vein in the groin.

Perforating Vein: A vein that passes directly from a superficial vein to a deep vein.

Popliteal Vein: The deep vein located behind the knee. The small saphenous vein originates from the popliteal vein.

Small Saphenous Vein: (sometimes called SSV, Lesser Saphenous Vein, or LSV) A superficial vein that starts at the outside of the foot and travels up the back of the calf where it empties into the deep vein (popliteal vein) in the crease of the knee.

​Spider Vein: A tiny varicose vein that may be blue or red color that does not protrude above the skin surface and frequently looks like a spider. Common medical terms you may hear for spider veins are telangiectasias and telangiectatic veins. Slightly larger varicose veins that do not protrude above the skin are called reticular veins.

​Superficial Vein: Any vein in the lower extremity above the deep fascia that covers the muscles of the thigh and leg.

​Varicose Vein: A bulging vein that protrudes past the skin surface and usually measures greater than one-fourth of an inch (6.4 mm) in diameter.

Vein Function Terms

Competent Vein: Blood flow occurs in the proper direction back to the heart. Also referred to as Having No Reflux Or Normal Flow Direction.

Incompetent Vein: Blood flows in the wrong direction. Also referred to as a vein that has reflux.

Reflux: Blood that flows backward in the veins.

 

Anatomical Images and Explanations

Normal Blood Flow: After the blood has been replenished with oxygen in the lungs, it is pumped to the body by the heart. Blood that is pumped to the lower extremities is pumped back to the heart partially by the action of the calf muscle pump. The blood returning from the lower extremities in the deep and superficial veins goes past a series of one-way valves. These valves stop the blood from flowing backwards in the vein.

Reflux: The valves in the veins close just as blood begins to flow backwards. If the valves do not close properly, the blood falls backwards through the poorly closing or leaking valves. The veins downstream that are now unprotected by valves further upstream are exposed to the weight of an increasingly high column of blood. These downstream veins cannot endure the pressure of the column of blood and expand becoming snake-like in appearance. This causes the vein to bulge through the skin surface and become varicose veins.

If you experience any vein disease symptoms, please call our office at (858)-550-0330 to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable doctors at La Jolla Vein and Vascular.

For more information on vein health please check out our Youtube Channel or visit our helpful guide of resources. 

Vein Health: Helpful Anatomy Phrases to Better Understand2022-12-13T14:15:11-08:00

Fourth of July BBQ & Venous Reflux Disease

2022-12-13T14:06:06-08:00

After a holiday, patients frequently complain about leg pain, which can be reflux venous disease. Especially holidays where hours of cooking are involved like Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, Passover, etc. Some people who may have mild venous reflux disease, may not notice any symptoms until they are standing for hours- like during cooking. Over the years, we always hear from patients that their legs were aching and fatigued after cooking. 

The reason for this is venous reflux disease causes backflow of blood. 

The blood pools in the legs and the pooling of blood causes sensations of heaviness, fatigue, aching, and even night cramps and restlessness. Ankle swelling may also be more prominent.

Helpful tips to combat leg fatigue during the holidays: 

1.Elevating the legs allows the blood to flow in the correct direction and reduces the pooling of blood and symptoms.

2.Wearing compression stockings during cooking can be helpful to reduce symptoms. 

3.Also when standing upright for hours, it is helpful to do calf pump raises.

4.Minimize your time standing. Bring a chair to sit for the bbq or in the kitchen while you cook.

5. Delegating food preparation to other family members, to reduce standing for long periods of time, which can cause more pain.

The true culprit of leg fatigue and soreness after standing and cooking for numerous hours is leaky vein valves allowing the blood to pool, causing leg pain, heaviness, and fatigue. Try these few tips this July 4th holiday and see how you feel after. 

If you experience leg fatigue or pain after standing for long periods of time, this may be venous reflux disease, please call our office at (858)-550-0330 to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable doctors at La Jolla Vein and Vascular. 

 

For more information on vein health please check out our Youtube Channel.

 

Fourth of July BBQ & Venous Reflux Disease2022-12-13T14:06:06-08:00

What could be causing your varicose veins?

2022-12-13T14:16:03-08:00

What are varicose veins? 

Varicose veins are the twisted, bulging veins just beneath the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the surface of the skin. These veins usually occur in the legs, but they also can form in other parts of the body. Varicose veins are a common condition.

Who gets them 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 history of leg injuries. Some of the causes of varicose veins are listed below: 

  • 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 these this type of venous reflux disease 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. These 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

If you experience any vein disease symptoms, please call our office at (858)-550-0330 to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable doctors at La Jolla Vein and Vascular.

For more information on vein health please check out our Youtube Channel. 

What could be causing your varicose veins?2022-12-13T14:16:03-08:00

21, 6, 2022

Non Invasive Vascular Laboratory

2022-05-23T15:49:54-07:00

Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory

The Non Invasive Vascular Laboratory at La Jolla Vein & Vascular utilizes advanced, noninvasive, diagnostic, medical ultrasound technology while ensuring high quality results to detect diseases that may affect blood flow in the arteries and veins.  We utilize “state-of-the-art” color duplex ultrasound imagers and indirect testing equipment.

The Vascular Lab offers the convenience of:

  • Non-invasive testing
  • Same-day imaging appointments
  • Follow-up clinic visits with our on-site vascular team
  • Appointments at multiple locations including La Jolla, Poway, Chula Vista, and Solana Beach.

What is Duplex Ultrasound

non invasive

The non invasive Duplex ultrasound involves using high frequency sound waves to look at the speed of blood flow, and structure of the blood vessels. The term “duplex” refers to the fact that two modes of ultrasound are used, Doppler and B-mode. The B-mode transducer obtains an image of the vessel being studied. The Doppler probe within the transducer evaluates the velocity and direction of blood flow in the vessel.

Types of Ultrasound Testing Offered:

Direct testing (duplex imaging)

Venous Non Invasive

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis- upper or lower extremity
  • Venous Reflux

Arterial Non Invasive

  • Abdominal Aorta
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening- must meet criteria of SAAAVE Act
  • Carotid Duplex
  • Lower Extremity Duplex

Indirect testing (non-imaging)

Arterial –Segmental pressures and waveforms (P&Ws), upper or lower extremity

 

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

For more information please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

Non Invasive Vascular Laboratory2022-05-23T15:49:54-07:00

11, 5, 2022

Process of being diagnosed with Peripheral Arterial Disease

2022-04-28T19:14:18-07:00

Peripheral Arterial Disease – Diagnosis

At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we have highly trained physicians who offer a comprehensive diagnosis to develop customized treatments of Peripheral artery disease (PAD). We understand that no two patients’ conditions are similar. Our full-service vascular lab provides state-of-the-art testing to ensure that our physicians address each patient case quickly and accurately. Our doctors and nurses also have broad experience in this field and use advanced tools to achieve limb-saving results even for challenging, impaired patients. Our PAD diagnosis procedure involves the following:

peripheral arterial disease

Detailed Physical Exam

To help diagnose Peripheral Arterial Disease, our skilled doctor will start by doing a thorough physical examination. The doctor will also want to learn about your signs, symptoms, personal health history, risk factors, and family health history. The doctor will ask you several questions regarding your medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. They will also ask you whether you experience pain or cramps in your leg while walking or exercising.

The doctor will also ask about your family history of PAD and other heart diseases. You will also discuss your smoking habit, either current or in the past. After gathering the information, the doctor will proceed to perform a detailed physical examination. The process involves checking for weak pulses in your leg, listening for poor blood flow in the legs using a stethoscope. The physician will also check for any problems on your legs, such as sores, swelling, and pale skin.

Detailed Physical Exam

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

Ankle-brachial index (ABI test) helps diagnose PAD. This test usually compares the blood pressure in your arm with the blood pressure in your ankle. The doctor usually uses a pressure cuff together with an ultrasound device. Sometimes, the physician may request you to walk on a treadmill and have the doctor take the readings before and immediately after the exercise. The procedure will help the doctor to capture the severity of the narrowed arteries.

 

Arterial Ultrasound

La Jolla Vein & Vascular doctors also use ultrasound-guided procedures to determine whether a specific vein or artery is blocked or open. The procedure is non-invasive, meaning that you will not experience any pain. The technique visualizes the artery with sound waves that measure the blood volume that flows in the veins and arteries. After the procedure, the patients receive a thorough consultation. The doctor will recommend the most effective treatment option to help promote blood flow to the feet and leg.

The treatment will help reduce leg pain, promote healing of sores and increase the mobility of the affected limb. Doctors utilize two main ultrasound methods. The first method is the Doppler ultrasound utilized to locate areas with blockages or reduced blood flow. The procedure involves using a handheld device that sends sound waves through the arteries to measure how fast blood flows. The second method is the segmental Doppler pressure testing that checks various parts of the legs for blocked or narrowed arteries. The procedure is similar to the ABI test, but the ultrasound device will amplify the sound of blood flow, making it easy to measure blood pressure and diagnose peripheral arterial disease. 

 

Angiography (venography)

Angiography is minimal invasive testing that helps to visualize and diagnose blockages inside veins and arteries. In this procedure, the physician will insert a thin tube that injects a special dye that enables blood vessels to appear on an X-ray. As the dye is introduced to the arteries and veins, fluoroscopy imaging captures the detailed images to see the extent of blockages in the arteries.

 

Blood Tests

Doctors also take a sample of your blood to measure the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Blood samples are also used to check for diabetes.

 

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

MRA tests are conducted to examine the structure of the arteries in your leg. However, the doctor will speak to you before using the procedure. Magnetic resonance angiography is not recommended for people with metal implants in their bodies.

For more information on Vein and Vascular conditions, please check out our Youtube Channel.

Process of being diagnosed with Peripheral Arterial Disease2022-04-28T19:14:18-07:00

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

2022-04-28T18:54:59-07:00

Peripheral artery disease is a subset of vascular disease,also referred to as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which develops when excessive plaque buildup on the artery walls causing the narrowing of the arteries.

peripheral artery

The arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. When plaque builds up, it usually restricts the flow of blood, oxygen, and glucose. The obstruction causes pain in the leg as the muscles and tissues are starved for oxygen and other nutrients from the blood. While the pain usually occurs in your legs primarily, it can also be felt in other parts of the body, including your arms, stomach, hip, head, and kidneys.

Are You at Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?

In most cases, the PAD symptoms are on the lower extremities. You may experience some pain, craping, or tiredness in your hip or leg muscles when climbing stairs or walking. However, the pain usually goes away with rest, only to resurface when you start walking again. Individuals suffering from peripheral arterial disease are at a high risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, or heart attack. Even worse, if left untreated, the condition can lead to gangrene and amputation.

 

Peripheral Arterial Disease – Symptoms

 

The most common symptom of Peripheral arterial disease is claudication. The fat and cholesterol build up on the artery walls cause a lack of blood flow, causing a condition referred to as ischemia. Ischemia is a condition that results when there is a greater demand for oxygen than the supply.

Claudication is a condition that causes cramping in the legs and buttocks. As mentioned, the pain and clamping flares up when you start to walk and subsides when you rest. Intermittent claudication affects about 50 percent of individuals suffering from peripheral artery disease. Some of the other common symptoms include loss of hair around the ankles, numbness or coldness in your feet.

Pain and cramping while walking may lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, meaning that the individual will burn few calories and add weight. An increase in weight also increases cholesterol, blood pressure, and other heart disease risk factors. The claudication severity often varies from mild discomfort to debilitating pain, making it hard for you to walk or perform other types of physical activities. 

PAD

Other common symptoms of the peripheral arterial disease include;

  • In extreme cases, an open wound or ulcer occurs on your toes or feet. These extreme cases lead to non-healing ulcers. The ulcer can progress to gangrene, making it hard for you to walk. In such a scenario, immediate medical attention is necessary.
  • Weakness or numbness in your legs
  • Coldness in your lower feet, especially when you find one foot is colder than the other one.
  • Experiencing pain in your feet or toes while you are resting
  • Sores on the legs, feet, and toes that do not heal
  • Slower toenails growth
  • Change in the color of your feet
  • Erectile dysfunction in men can be treated by prostate arterial embolization (PAE), which also treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Weak pulse in your feet or legs
  • Developing shiny skin on your legs
  • Having pain in your arms, especially when writing, knitting, or performing manual tasks

As the peripheral disease progresses, you may start to experience pain even when you are lying down. In extreme cases, the pain becomes intense enough to distract your sleep. Resting your legs by hanging them at your bed edge or walking around the room helps stimulate blood flow, relieving the pain temporarily.

 

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)2022-04-28T18:54:59-07:00

Symptoms and signs of non healing ulcers and wounds

2022-04-28T17:32:09-07:00

Symptoms of Non-Healing Ulcers

 

As we’ve seen, there is a very wide range of causes of non healing ulcers and wounds that may contribute to the formation and persistence of non-healing ulcers. It follows that the methods or treatment options at the disposal of healthcare professionals will also be varied.

You shouldn’t allow a wound to fester for weeks on end before seeking professional assistance, especially if you fall under one or more of the risk categories we’ve outlined above. The following are some warning signs to look out for:

  • -Darkening or bluish discoloration around the wound edges
  • -Significant pain around the wound that persists without improvement or progressively grows worse
  • -Foul odor or smell emanating from the wound
  • -Swelling and redness emanating from the wound and spreading to surrounding skin and tissue
  • -Continuous leaking, draining, or weeping from the wound

Notice that these symptoms of non healing ulcers and wounds are mostly indicative of infection. This is a good measure as it often indicates a failure of the body’s natural mechanisms to deal with the wound through its normal processes. The rapid and timely intervention will be called for to forestall further tissue damage and complications.

 

ulcer4

Treatment of Non-Healing Wounds

 

Doctors will discuss the available options for non healing ulcers and wounds with their patients in order to arrive at the best possible options, but the type and severity of the wound will be the decisive point of consideration. These measures include:

Compression Wrapping

Specialized Dressings and Topical Medication

Patient Self-Care and Education

Negative Pressure Therapy (NPWT)

Surgery

Growth Factor Therapy

Debridement (removal of dead tissue)

Symptoms and signs of non healing ulcers and wounds2022-04-28T17:32:09-07:00
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