20, 7, 2023

3 Reasons why leg pain occurs

2023-05-25T16:33:11-07:00

Concerned about Leg Pain?

We evaluate and treat leg pain that is related to poor circulation, varicose veins and blood clots. These are all vascular conditions. However, there are numerous causes of non-vascular leg pain including injuries in the joints, bones, muscles or ligaments. Arthritis can also cause leg pain. Low back pain can radiate to the legs and also cause pain. It is always important to have a thorough evaluation by your doctor to determine the correct cause.

  1. Blood Clots: 

Leg pain caused by blood clots can vary in how it presents. Not all blood clots will cause pain. Blood clots in the deep veins, called deep vein thrombosis, (DVT) can cause a sudden onset of swelling in the leg, pain, and sometimes redness and warmth. It usually affects one leg instead of both. It may be difficult to walk.  A blood clot in a superficial vein, called superficial vein thrombosis, often occurs in a varicose vein. The vein can feel hard, painful, lumpy, or you may feel a rope-like knot just beneath the skin. The skin may appear red and hot.

 

  1. Venous Reflux Disease:

Leg pain caused by venous reflux disease often presents as leg pain, heaviness, fatigue, that tends to get worse throughout the day and with standing. It may be worse in hot weather. Women may experience worsening symptoms during menstruation from hormonal influence. Night-time symptoms of leg cramping and restlessness are common. There may or may not be visible signs of venous disease, as venous reflux usually starts in veins that are not visible to the naked eye before becoming visibly apparent. Signs of vein disease include varicose veins (bulging, twisted, enlarged veins and the surface of the skin), spider veins, ankle swelling, and long term venous reflux, called chronic venous insufficiency can cause the skin to darken around the ankles and ulcerate.

  1. PAD

Poor arterial circulation in the legs is referred to as peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD has a different presentation than venous disease. Leg pain is often with walking and can cause cramping most frequently in the calf muscles but also can occur in the thighs or buttocks. The cramping stops usually with rest. Signs may include poor perfusion to the toes causing paleness and thickened toe-nails. Pulses at the feet may be absent.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

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

 For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link, and our website https://ljvascular.com

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency,

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

For more blogs and educational content, please check out our clinic’s blog posts!

3 Reasons why leg pain occurs2023-05-25T16:33:11-07:00

13, 6, 2023

What are some arterial treatment options?

2023-05-24T15:58:17-07:00

Peripheral Arterial Disease – Treatment

The treatment for the peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has two main goals. One is to manage the symptoms, including leg pain, allowing you to resume your normal physical activities. The second one is to stop the progression of atherosclerosis in the body, which reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.

The good news is that through early intervention, you can achieve these goals through lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking is one of the most significant things you can do to stop the progression of Pad. Walking and exercising regularly following supervised exercise training can improve your symptoms. However, if your peripheral artery disease is at an advanced stage, you will need additional medical treatment. Here are some of the standard peripheral artery disease treatment options available.

arterial

Atherectomy

A lower extremity atherectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure involving a catheter to remove plaque from arteries. The doctor usually makes a small incision in the artery to insert the catheter. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia to prevent pain. A catheter collects removed plaque in a chamber placed at its tip, ensuring that all the particles are removed from the artery. Depending on the amount of plaque in your arteries, your doctor will repeat the procedure several times to ensure optimal blood flow.

Angioplasty

Also called percutaneous transluminal Angioplasty (PTA), Angioplasty is a medical procedure performed using a catheter. A catheter is usually a thin, flexible tube inserted through an artery and guided by imaging to the narrowed section of the artery. Once the tip of the catheter reaches the narrowed section, the small balloon at the end inflates for a short period. The pressure created by the inflated balloon usually presses the plaque against the artery wall. This procedure will help to widen the arteries, restoring normal blood flow.

arterial

Stenting

Stenting is a procedure that is performed in combination with Angioplasty and atherectomy. Years of plaque buildup damages the artery walls. Even after cleaning the artery, the walls are often too weak to stay open. Stenting is a procedure that helps support the blood vessel walls, preventing them from closing after removing the plaque. The procedure involved placing a small mesh tube inside the artery to offer rigid support.

La Jolla Vein & Vascular offers renal artery stenting, which helps support the blood vessels that transport the blood to your kidneys. A patient with a history of arterial disease or who suffers from hypertension has a higher risk of plaque building up in the renal artery wall. Excess plaque on the renal artery tends to weaken the walls. Renal artery stenting offers firm support that ensures the blood flows unobstructed to the kidney.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

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

 For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link, and our website https://ljvascular.com

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency,

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

For more blogs and educational content, please check out our clinic’s blog posts

 

What are some arterial treatment options?2023-05-24T15:58:17-07:00

Our new La Jolla Vein & Vascular Vista Clinic is now open!!! 

2023-05-30T17:32:05-07:00

Our new La Jolla Vein & Vascular Vista Clinic is now open!!! 

Vista

We had our wonderful ribbon cutting ceremony this past month with Vista City’s Chamber of Commerce. 

Vista

We were so honored to have Vista City Council member, Dan O’Donnell and 

District Representative, Jessica Ramirez attend and support our opening! 

vista

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Thank you to all who attended. We are proud and honored to serve the Vista community! Stay tuned for more updates from the clinic through our social media and website and special informational posts to learn more about what we specialize in and can help you with!

 

North County San Diego / Vista Endovascular Center

 

Location: Our North County office is located on the south side of Highway 78 in Vista, East of I-5 and 6 miles from Tri-City Medical Center. It is just miles from Oceanside and Carlsbad.  Our endovascular center is located at this location.  

 

-Phone: 760-249-7007

-Text us: (858) 283-4099

-Fax: (760) 249-7017

-Full Address: 906 Sycamore Ave, Vista, CA 92081

 

Vista Clinic Services:

 

-Vascular lab & Diagnostic Imaging:

 

La Jolla Vein and Vascular’s non-invasive vascular laboratory utilizes advanced imaging machines that look for vascular diseases that may affect how well blood flows in the arteries and veins. As an accredited Vein Center, we are expanding our services in vascular imaging to offer comprehensive diagnostic vascular testing. Our laboratory is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for Vascular Testing.

 

-Evaluation for all vascular conditions of the legs, feet and pelvis

 

The vascular lab examines blood vessels throughout the body that feed major organs and tissue. These tests can help diagnose and treat many vascular conditions such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), stroke, aneurysms and venous insufficiency.

By using cutting edge diagnostics, our Duplex Ultrasound technology is used for screening and testing purposes. 

A Duplex ultrasound combines Doppler flow information and conventional imaging information, sometimes called B-mode, to allow physicians to see the structure of your blood vessels. Duplex ultrasound uses sound waves to get images of your blood vessels.  It also helps determine how fast blood moves through the vessels. It can also be useful to estimate the diameter of a blood vessel as well as the amount of obstruction, if any, in the blood vessel. Using duplex ultrasound technology, the structure of your blood vessels, the valve function, the movement of your red blood cells and direction of blood flow through the vessels, and any blockages or blood clots can be seen.

 

-Varicose vein procedures

 

Step 1: The Underlying Problem

 

The first step is to treat the underlying problem, the venous reflux. The specific pattern of venous reflux was detected by ultrasound. Venous reflux usually starts in the saphenous veins. The saphenous veins are most effectively treated with vein ablation procedures. This involves placing a small catheter within the vein and using heat or a solution to produce injury and eventual closure of the vein. The most commonly used treatments for the saphenous veins are radiofrequency ablation (RFA), laser ablation, mechanico-chemical ablation

(MOCA or Clarivein), and in some cases Varithena Foam or Venaseal.

 

The treatment recommendation is customized, based on where reflux is present and other factors that need to be considered when making this decision.

 

These will involve the following:

 

Your age, overall health, and medical condition.

Extent of the condition.

The findings of your venous ultrasound.

Your signs and symptoms.

Your tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies.

Expectations for the course of the condition.

Your opinion or preference.

 

Step 2: Varicose Vein Treatment

 

After the underlying saphenous vein reflux is corrected, the bulging veins (varicose veins) can be treated by injecting a foamed medication that will cause them to scar and eventually dissolve (foam sclerotherapy), or to remove them using tiny incisions. The most common method is foam sclerotherapy. This is also known as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). Phlebectomy is another option which includes making small incisions to remove the vein.

 

-Leg ulcers

 

We might all be familiar with ulcers in a general manner, but certain types of ulcers behave quite differently due to various contributing factors. These are nonhealing ulcers or nonhealing wounds, and if not treated with care and in good time, such wounds can pose a serious risk to the patient’s health. Severe cases may lead to amputation of the affected limbs or loss of life in the most extreme circumstances. The nonhealing ulcers cases we treat here at La Jolla Vein & Vascular fall under peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and a subcategory of arterial disease.

 

Non-healing wounds or ulcers do not follow the usual healing process and are referred to as chronic wounds should they persist beyond 3 weeks. Such wounds can be a heavy burden to live with for anyone. Still, the board-certified vascular surgeons and specialists at La Jolla Vein & Vascular are dedicated to administering effective treatment and management solutions to all patients so they may resume a healthy, productive, and pain-free life.

 

-Lymphedema care

 

At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we can assist in the diagnosis of a vascular cause of leg swelling by using duplex ultrasound.  Duplex ultrasound can diagnose a blood clot or venous reflux.  In some cases a venogram may be recommended if an obstruction higher than the groin is suspected.  Lymphedema is a clinical diagnosis, but lymphoscintigraphy can be ordered at an outside imaging center.

 

-Endovascular Center (vein and arterial procedures)

 

Vista Clinic Providers:

 

-Dr. Elliot DeYoung (Interventional Radiologist) 

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Dr. Elliot DeYoung is a board-certified interventional radiologist who has spent his career focused on minimally invasive procedures. He completed his training at University of California, San Diego where he specialized in vascular interventions and served on the patient safety committee. Dr. DeYoung’s expertise spans vascular disease from angioplasty and stenting to embolization and ablation. He values thorough patient education and the continuity of patient care.

He will lead the center in the expansion of vascular services to provide crucial out-patient care to the community. The practice is enthusiastic to offer treatments for peripheral arterial disease, May Thurners’, and uterine fibroids.

Dr. DeYoung received his bachelor’s degree from USC in Psychology followed by his medical degree from the University of Sydney, School of Medicine. He initially trained as a General Surgery resident in New York before transitioning his training to Interventional Radiology in San Diego. He has a passion for water sports and his free time is spent enjoying the outdoors with his family.

Dr. DeYoung is looking forward to treating your vascular needs at La Jolla Vein & Vascular.

Our La Jolla Vein & Vascular Vista team is looking forward as well to serving you!

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“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

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

 For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link, and our website https://ljvascular.com

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency,

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

For more blogs and educational content, please check out our clinic’s blog posts


Our new La Jolla Vein & Vascular Vista Clinic is now open!!! 2023-05-30T17:32:05-07:00

25, 5, 2023

PAD & Vascular Disease

2023-02-15T20:21:52-08:00

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

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

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

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

 

 

PAD & Vascular Disease2023-02-15T20:21:52-08:00

Have you been experiencing leg pain?

2023-02-15T19:59:01-08:00

Concerned about Leg Pain?

We evaluate and treat leg pain that is related to poor circulation, varicose veins and blood clots. These are all vascular conditions. However, there are numerous causes of non-vascular leg pain including injuries in the joints, bones, muscles or ligaments. Arthritis can also cause leg pain. Low back pain can radiate to the legs and also cause pain. It is always important to have a thorough evaluation by your doctor to determine the correct cause.

  1. Blood Clots: 

Leg pain caused by blood clots can vary in how it presents. Not all blood clots will cause pain. Blood clots in the deep veins, called deep vein thrombosis, (DVT) can cause a sudden onset of swelling in the leg, pain, and sometimes redness and warmth. It usually affects one leg instead of both. It may be difficult to walk.  A blood clot in a superficial vein, called superficial vein thrombosis, often occurs in a varicose vein. The vein can feel hard, painful, lumpy, or you may feel a rope-like knot just beneath the skin. The skin may appear red and hot.

 

  1. Venous Reflux Disease:

Leg pain caused by venous reflux disease often presents as leg pain, heaviness, fatigue, that tends to get worse throughout the day and with standing. It may be worse in hot weather. Women may experience worsening symptoms during menstruation from hormonal influence. Night-time symptoms of leg cramping and restlessness are common. There may or may not be visible signs of venous disease, as venous reflux usually starts in veins that are not visible to the naked eye before becoming visibly apparent. Signs of vein disease include varicose veins (bulging, twisted, enlarged veins and the surface of the skin), spider veins, ankle swelling, and long term venous reflux, called chronic venous insufficiency can cause the skin to darken around the ankles and ulcerate.

  1. PAD

Poor arterial circulation in the legs is referred to as peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD has a different presentation than venous disease. Leg pain is often with walking and can cause cramping most frequently in the calf muscles but also can occur in the thighs or buttocks. The cramping stops usually with rest. Signs may include poor perfusion to the toes causing paleness and thickened toe-nails. Pulses at the feet may be absent.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

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

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 


Have you been experiencing leg pain?2023-02-15T19:59:01-08:00

11, 4, 2023

4 Arterial Treatments

2023-02-15T15:19:58-08:00

Peripheral Arterial Disease – Treatment
The treatment for the peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has two main goals. One is to manage the symptoms, including leg pain, allowing you to resume your normal physical activities. The second one is to stop the progression of atherosclerosis in the body, which reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.

arterial

The good news is that through early intervention, you can achieve these goals through lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking is one of the most significant things you can do to stop the progression of Pad. Walking and exercising regularly following supervised exercise training can improve your symptoms. However, if your peripheral artery disease is at an advanced stage, you will need additional medical treatment. Here are some of the standard peripheral artery disease treatment options available.

Atherectomy
A lower extremity atherectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure involving a catheter to remove plaque from arteries. The doctor usually makes a small incision in the artery to insert the catheter. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia to prevent pain. A catheter collects removed plaque in a chamber placed at its tip, ensuring that all the particles are removed from the artery. Depending on the amount of plaque in your arteries, your doctor will repeat the procedure several times to ensure optimal blood flow.

Angioplasty
Also called percutaneous transluminal Angioplasty (PTA), Angioplasty is a medical procedure performed using a catheter. A catheter is usually a thin, flexible tube inserted through an artery and guided by imaging to the narrowed section of the artery. Once the tip of the catheter reaches the narrowed section, the small balloon at the end inflates for a short period. The pressure created by the inflated balloon usually presses the plaque against the artery wall. This procedure will help to widen the arteries, restoring normal blood flow.

arterial

Stenting
Stenting is a procedure that is performed in combination with Angioplasty and atherectomy. Years of plaque buildup damages the artery walls. Even after cleaning the artery, the walls are often too weak to stay open. Stenting is a procedure that helps support the blood vessel walls, preventing them from closing after removing the plaque. The procedure involved placing a small mesh tube inside the artery to offer rigid support.
La Jolla Vein & Vascular offers renal artery stenting, which helps support the blood vessels that transport the blood to your kidneys. A patient with a history of arterial disease or who suffers from hypertension has a higher risk of plaque building up in the renal artery wall. Excess plaque on the renal artery tends to weaken the walls. Renal artery stenting offers firm support that ensures the blood flows unobstructed to the kidney.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care.

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care.

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence.

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

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources.

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information.

4 Arterial Treatments2023-02-15T15:19:58-08:00

21, 3, 2023

Vascular Disease: PAD

2023-02-13T17:10:23-08:00

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 causes narrowing of the arteries. 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.

PAD

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 – 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:

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

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

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 


Vascular Disease: PAD2023-02-13T17:10:23-08:00

2, 2, 2023

Peripheral Arterial Disease Signs

2023-02-20T18:07:22-08:00

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. 

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.

 

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

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

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

Peripheral Arterial Disease Signs2023-02-20T18:07:22-08:00

Peripheral Arterial Disease 101

2023-01-14T13:13:58-08:00

Peripheral arterial 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 causes the narrowing of the arteries.

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.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

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

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 




Peripheral Arterial Disease 1012023-01-14T13:13:58-08:00

29, 12, 2022

What is the process of being diagnosed with PAD?

2022-10-24T15:02:49-07:00

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:

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.

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

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

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

 



What is the process of being diagnosed with PAD?2022-10-24T15:02:49-07:00
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