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23, 5, 2020

How to Treat Leg Spider Veins

2020-09-18T19:01:10-07:00

Spider veins and reticular veins of the legs are most commonly treated with sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a medication into the vein.  This will cause the vein to collapse and gradually fade away. Sclerotherapy has been used to treat spider veins for decades, but modern solutions such as Asclera, allow for spider veins to be treated with minimal discomfort and immediate return to activities. Saline solutions are rarely used these days by vein specialists, because alternatives solutions are less painful and better tolerated. Sclerotherapy is the preferred  over laser in most cases of spider veins on the legs, because spider veins often have underlying ‘feeder veins’ that can easily be treated with sclerotherapy, but are not addressed by laser. Laser may be used for the fine thread like veins, most common on the face. Many people will require more than one treatment session for optimal results. The national average is 2 to 5 treatment sessions. Wearing compression stockings after treatment will improve results.

 

How to Treat Leg Spider Veins2020-09-18T19:01:10-07:00

Nutritional tips for varicose veins

2020-09-18T19:02:32-07:00

Varicose veins are bulging, purplish-colored veins that occur when the one-way valves, which are responsible for regulating the constant flow of blood, become weak, especially in the lower limbs. Although many consider them a simple aesthetic problem, they can be a sign of circulation disorders, fluid retention, and inflammatory diseases. Fortunately, this condition can be significantly improved by making better nutritional choices before it becomes chronic.

In a diet to prevent varicose veins, it is suggested to increase the intake of some foods that promote blood flow. Similarly, the aim is to control total calorie consumption, since lowering the body mass index is a determining factor both in avoiding varicose veins and in reducing them.

Another objective is to help control the body’s inflammatory processes, whose alteration may trigger this condition. Additionally, this allows decreasing the pressure on the legs, which controls symptoms, such as heaviness and pain. So, what you need to do nutritionally speaking?

Increase Omega-3 consumption. Due to their ability to cleanse the arteries, these fatty acids are ideal for reactivating circulation, lowering cholesterol, and preventing possible blockages. These healthy fats control excess inflammation and help maintain good cardiovascular health. Choose oily fish, nuts, and seeds.

Eat more fiber. Fiber-rich foods are allies in lowering cholesterol levels and optimizing circulation. They also reduce constipation so that there are no difficulties due to the pressure produced by the difficulties in defecating. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

Consume more folic acid. Foods containing folic acid help reduce homocysteine, an element that causes injury to the artery walls. They also prevent the appearance of thrombi, a chronic disorder that affects varicose veins and cardiovascular disease. Choose spinach, asparagus, cabbage, beef liver, whole grains, and nuts.

Increase the dose of vitamin E. This well-known antioxidant is essential in preventing varicose veins because it promotes the breakdown of lipids in the blood and optimizes circulation. Choose fruits, avocado, and olive oil.

Include diuretic ingredients. These can stimulate the elimination of retained fluids to decrease the overload of the legs. Therefore, their inclusion in the diet promotes the relief of varicose veins and prevents other diseases associated with poor circulation. Choose pineapple, artichoke, lemon, cucumber, blueberries, and parsley.

Limit salt consumption. Maintaining a sodium-rich diet is one of the factors that increase the risk of varicose veins, producing edema and high blood pressure. Because of this, it is essential to limit its intake and seek healthy alternatives. Choose healthy spices like oregano, thyme, garlic, and turmeric.

Consume healthier drinks. Healthy drinks complement the effects of the diet to prevent varicose veins. Adequate fluid assimilation helps balance inflammatory processes and promotes proper blood flow by regulating fluids in the tissues. Choose plain water and healthy smoothies or juices.

Nutritional tips for varicose veins2020-09-18T19:02:32-07:00

Leaky Vein Valve Disease and Varicose Veins

2021-11-05T10:56:55-07:00

Venous reflux disease refers to ‘leaky valves in the veins of the legs. Reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins. The deep veins are those within the muscle; they bring at least 80-90% of the blood from the legs back to the heart. The superficial veins are outside of the muscle and under the skin. The main superficial veins are the Great Saphenous Vein that courses up the middle of the thigh and calf and the small saphenous vein, which courses up the back of the calf. Normally, there are one-way valves within the leg veins, which help blood flow in one direction: toward the heart. This means blood is traveling against gravity. The calf muscle also helps move blood toward the heart. When vein valves are leaky, blood flows backward (reflux) towards the feet. Blood pools in the lower legs, causing bulging veins at the surface. Symptoms include leg heaviness, leg fatigue, leg pain, ankle swelling, phlebitis (inflamed and painful veins) restless legs at night, and night cramps. Venous reflux disease is progressive and worsens over time. Skin changes may also develop, including darkening of the skin around the ankles. The darkening of the skin is sometimes referred to as venous stasis skin changes. The skin can become dry and itchy (venous eczema). Eventually, the skin can break down causing a wound, called a venous leg ulcer.

Leaky Vein Valve Disease and Varicose Veins

Leaky Vein Valve Disease and Varicose Veins2021-11-05T10:56:55-07:00

Venous Reflux is a Progressive Condition, Worsens Over Time

2021-12-31T14:18:52-08:00

6 Chronic Venous Insufficiency Stages

Venous reflux disease is also known as venous stasis, venous insufficiency, or venous incompetence. Venous reflux disease refers to “leaky valves” in the veins of the legs. Venous reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins. The deep veins are those within the muscle; they bring at least 80-90% of the blood from the legs back to the heart. The superficial veins are outside of the muscle and under the skin. The main superficial veins are the Great Saphenous Vein that courses up the middle of the thigh and calf and the small saphenous vein, which courses up the back of the calf. Normally, there are one-way valves within the leg veins, which help blood flow in one direction: toward the heart. This means blood is traveling against gravity. The calf muscle also helps move blood toward the heart. When vein valves are leaky, blood flows backward (reflux) towards the feet. Blood pools in the lower legs, causing bulging veins at the surface. Symptoms include leg heaviness, leg fatigue, leg pain, ankle swelling, phlebitis (inflamed and painful veins) restless legs at night, and night cramps. Venous reflux disease is progressive and worsens over time. Skin changes may also develop, including darkening of the skin around the ankles. The darkening of the skin is sometimes referred to as venous stasis skin changes. The skin can become dry and itchy (venous eczema). Eventually, the skin can break down causing a wound, called a venous leg ulcer.

Stage 1. Healthy Veins, Stage 2. Spider Veins

Stage 1. Healthy Veins, Stage 2. Spider Veins

Stage 3. reticular veins and varicose veins

Stage 3. reticular veins and varicose veins

Stage 4. Venous Nodes - Edema venous insufficiency

Stage 4. Venous Nodes - Edema venous insufficiency

Stage 5. Chronic insufficiency

Stage 5. Chronic insufficiency

Stage 6. Venous eczema and venous leg ulcer

Stage 6. Venous eczema and venous leg ulcer

Venous Reflux is a Progressive Condition, Worsens Over Time2021-12-31T14:18:52-08:00

Potential Link Between Blood Clots and Coronavirus 

2020-08-19T01:19:16-07:00

Blood Clots in Patients with SARS-CoV-2

Many physicians treating patients with SARS-CoV-2 have noticed an increased incidence of blood clots, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism.  Studies at this point are lacking but there is a hypothesis that this infection affects coagulation. For this reason, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis has recommended that all patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, including those that are not critically ill, should receive prophylactic dose low molecular weight heparin unless contraindicated.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)  can pose an additional very serious complication to these patients because blood clots in the veins can break loose and travel to the heart and lungs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism). Deep vein thrombosis signs and symptoms can include: Swelling, leg pain (often cramping or sudden difficulty walking), red discoloration of the skin and a feeling of warmth in the affected leg.

Potential Link Between Blood Clots and Coronavirus 2020-08-19T01:19:16-07:00

What’s so great about the saphenous vein?

2021-12-30T11:31:57-08:00

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. In people presenting with varicose veins, the Great Saphenous vein is responsible for varicose veins over 80% of the time and here at La Jolla Vein Care, we have Great Saphenous Vein treatments. Varicose veins originating off the GSV typically appear in the inner thigh, inner calf, across the shin, or start in the thigh and run along the back of the calf. 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. Varicose veins on the backside of the leg are often caused by leaky valves within the small saphenous vein.

What’s so great about the saphenous vein?2021-12-30T11:31:57-08:00

What your skin says about your vascular health

2021-11-05T04:08:48-07:00

Darkening of the skin around the ankles may indicate chronic venous reflux disease, a condition of the vein valves, detectable by ultrasound.

venous leg ulcers

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can cause the skin to become discolored, usually around the ankles. Over time, ulcerations or skin wounds may develop.

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.

What your skin says about your vascular health2021-11-05T04:08:48-07:00

Varicose Veins Common Cause For Restless Legs Symptoms

2021-11-15T13:32:16-08:00

The restless leg was a reported symptom in 30% of people who suffer from varicose veins, in our study.

Varicose Veins

Those who suffer from varicose veins often report a feeling of restless legs, especially at night when in bed. In our study, about 30% of patients with varicose veins complained of nocturnal restless legs.

Restless legs refer to the specific symptoms of restlessness and urge to move the legs. This is different than Restless legs syndrome (RLS), which is a sensorimotor movement disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an urge to move them.  This is a diagnosis based on a collection of nocturnal symptoms. There are many causes of restless legs syndrome such as neurological disorders, anemia, and kidney disease to name a few, and is often treated with medication. Vascular causes, such as venous insufficiency is often overlooked as a cause for Restless Legs Syndrome. We have case studies of patients who used medication to treat RLS symptoms for years without resolution of symptoms. In our study, 98% of the patients with venous insufficiency and restless legs, had resolution of symptoms following treatment.  In another study, by Hayes, CL et. al, 35 patients with RLS and superficial venous insufficiency underwent endovenous ablation of refluxing superficial veins and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy of varicose veins. 89% of patients reported alleviation of symptoms.

If a patient has restless legs symptoms and evidence of varicose veins of the legs, a work-up for venous insufficiency should be considered. The workup involves a duplex ultrasound evaluation of the leg veins. This may eliminate the need for medication for RLS in some cases.

Varicose Veins Common Cause For Restless Legs Symptoms2021-11-15T13:32:16-08:00

Varicose Veins are Inherited

2020-08-19T01:12:15-07:00

This picture shows the strong correlation between genetics and varicose veins.

One of the strongest risk factors for varicose veins is a family history. We often see mothers and their daughters, fathers and sons, siblings, and some times the entire family for similar varicose vein issues. This picture demonstrates a mother and her daughter with ironically the same varicose vein pattern of distribution. Don’t want your mother’s legs? Stay on top of your vein condition and have them treated or maintenance treatment to avoid bulging varicosities.

 

Varicose Veins are Inherited2020-08-19T01:12:15-07:00

27, 4, 2020

Vein Valves Don’t Work in Venous Reflux Disease

2021-11-15T13:17:51-08:00

Vein valves and the direction of blood flow can be seen on ultrasound. Ultrasound is an important tool in the diagnosis of venous reflux disease.

Humen Circulatory System

In the circulatory system, the veins carry de-oxygenated blood back to the heart. The leg veins carry blood toward the heart, against gravity. Therefore, the leg veins have one-way valves the prevent backflow of blood. When the valves do not function properly, they allow blood to flow backward, causing the pooling of blood. This is referred to as venous reflux or venous insufficiency. Eventually, the backflow of the blood will cause varicose veins to develop and symptoms related to the increased pressure in the leg veins such as leg heaviness, aching, swelling, restless legs, night cramps, throbbing, and pain.

Vein Valves Don’t Work in Venous Reflux Disease2021-11-15T13:17:51-08:00
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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

© Copyright 2010-2024, La Jolla Vein & Vascular | All Rights Reserved

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