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23, 8, 2022

Vein Disease Prevention

2022-12-13T13:16:18-08:00

What is chronic venous insufficiency and how can you understand it for vein disease prevention?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is an inflammatory condition caused by long standing, untreated venous reflux disease.  Commonly, venous reflux disease causes a collection of symptoms such as leg swelling, heaviness, fatigue and varicose veins. But, over time, when blood is no longer circulating properly in the leg veins, skin changes can also appear. When skin changes appear, this is termed, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Venous stasis is another term used for this condition.   Chronic inflammation from CVI causes the skin around the ankles to darken, become dry, itchy, and firm. In severe cases, the skin can start to break down and ulcerate. The ulcer (wound) occurs in the inner or outer ankle and is also referred to as a stasis ulcer or venous ulcer.

Venous stasis skin changes associated with venous insufficiency include:

  • Darkening of the skin along the ankles
  • Itching and dry skin around the ankles (venous eczema)
  • Development of wounds around the ankles, called venous leg ulcers

When it comes to vein disease it is certainly possible to take measures that will help. Remember that varicose veins are veins that have been stretched so often that they have become chronically dilated. The trick is to limit the opportunity to distend the veins.

Here are some helpful tips to aid in vein disease prevention:

  1. Wear compression stockings
  2. stay fit and maintain a healthy weight
  3. exercise: exercising helps your veins pump blood.
  4. avoid prolonged sitting or standing
  5. avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight
  6. elevate your legs as much as possible
  7. Exercising the muscles in your legs helps your veins pump blood. This, in turn, will reduce the pressure within the veins and can help reduce symptoms related to vein problems

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 and vein disease prevention please check out our Youtube Channel or visit our helpful guide of resources. 

 

Vein Disease Prevention2022-12-13T13:16:18-08:00

Symptoms of vein disease to look out for

2022-07-20T14:09:35-07:00

An estimated 80 million Americans suffer from a vein-related condition with symptoms. Since most veins lie deep under the skin’s surface, vein disorders are not always visible to the naked eye. As a result, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms that might reveal an underlying vein condition. If you’re experiencing pain, fatigue, heaviness, cramping, or restlessness in your legs, you should seek expert consultation. Today, a venous duplex scan is used to view internal images of your veins, even the veins beneath the muscles (deep veins). The ultrasound exam, which is painless with no additional symptoms takes fewer than 30 minutes, allows a trained specialist to examine your venous system to determine if your symptoms are connected to a vein-related condition. The good news is that many vein conditions can be easily treated. At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we treat venous reflux disease with a tailored approach to the patient’s needs and symptoms. 

 

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. 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.

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. 

 

Symptoms of vein disease to look out for2022-07-20T14:09:35-07:00

La Jolla Vein Care EXPANDS SERVICES, RENAMES LA JOLLA VEIN & VASCULAR

2022-07-20T13:26:27-07:00

La Jolla Vein Care EXPANDS SERVICES, RENAMES LA JOLLA VEIN & VASCULAR

 

Renowned vein clinic welcomes new physician, offers new services, and rebrands to La Jolla Vein & Vascular

 

La Jolla Vein and Vascular is a leader in vein treatment serving the Southern California community since 2010, announces a new name to reflect their recent expansion of services. La Jolla Vein Care is known for their renowned physicians, technically advanced and innovative approach to vein care. It was one of the first vein centers in the region to earn esteemed accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for its dedication to quality patient care, positive patient outcomes, safety and physician expertise in the evaluation and management of superficial venous disorders. IAC accreditation is a “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indicator of consistent quality care and a dedication to continuous improvement. Varicose veins affect more than half of one half of Americans age 50 and older. Varicose veins occur when the valves in the leg veins no longer function, causing blood to pool in the legs. In some cases, this condition progresses to a more serious form of venous disease called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). 

 

While LJVC has provided relief of painful varicose veins and ulcers of the legs, many people suffer from varicose veins in other areas of the body, such as the pelvic region in both men and women. These and other vascular conditions can be diagnosed and treated by interventional radiologists with special vascular training. Dr. Elliot DeYoung has joined LJVC’s  powerhouse team to continue its renowned venous care and add a complementary layer of medical specialization to the practice. 

Specializing in interventional radiology, with expertise The practice is enthusiastic to welcome Dr. Elliot DeYoung to their medical staff. Dr. DeYoung’s expertise spans vascular disease from angioplasty and stenting to embolization and ablation.  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 a wide variety of interventional procedures including treatments for other vascular conditions such as peripheral arterial disease, pelvic congestion, may thurners, deep vein thrombosis, varicocele, and uterine fibroids. 

 

‘It’s always been our mission to offer the most comprehensive vein care possible. Now, we are able to offer even more comprehensive vein and vascular care to the community. “Dr. Deyoung’s expertise and skills will help us continue to provide patients with leading edge therapeutics for venous disease,” said Dr. Nisha Bunke, founder of La Jolla Vein Care. We are proud to welcome him to our team.”The treatments Dr. DeYoung is able to offer are endovascular procedures that rely on “real-time” advanced medical imaging to precisely target areas of the body for treatment through millimeter-size incisions. It takes medical care to the next level beyond vein care. As a result, we saw fit to change the medical practice’s name to La Jolla Vein & Vascular (LJVV) to reflect these changes.’ Says Dr. Nisha Bunke, the clinic’s Founder and Medical Director. 

 

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. 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.

 

To learn more about La Jolla Vein and Vascular, visit ljvascular.com.  Connect with LJVV on Instagram and Facebook.

 

About La Jolla Vein & Vascular: 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular is San Diego’s most comprehensive endovascular center, dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disorders. Vascular conditions permeate both women and men’s health. Vascular disorders treated include peripheral arterial disease, pelvic congestion, labial varicose veins, uterine fibroids,  may thurners, deep vein thrombosis, varicocele, varicose veins, leg ulcers and uterine fibroids.

 

La Jolla Vein Care enjoys positively impacting patient lives, health and overall well-being with its minimally invasive procedures, including an array of endovenous techniques such as radiofrequency, laser and foam sclerotherapy treatments. Learn more about La Jolla Vein Care’s specialty physicians, approach and what has driven its 10+ years of success at LJVascular.com.

 

La Jolla Vein Care EXPANDS SERVICES, RENAMES LA JOLLA VEIN & VASCULAR2022-07-20T13:26:27-07:00

Cellulitis & Varicose Veins

2022-07-19T17:21:50-07:00

Complications of Untreated Varicose Veins and Venous Insufficiency: Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and tissues beneath the skin. Cellulitis infections can occur in the legs of people with untreated varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency.  The reason for this is chronic venous insufficiency-which causes inflammation within the skin and underlying tissues. This inflammatory process causes the skin to become firm, eczema-like, dry, itchy, and fragile. Healthy skin acts as a barrier to bacteria, preventing infections. But, in chronic venous insufficiency, the skin is fragile and this barrier is susceptible to bacterial infections that can enter the tissues through cracks or breakages within the skin.  In chronic venous insufficiency, the skin around the ankles is most affected and infections can begin here.

Cellulitis usually begins as a small area of pain and redness on the skin. This area spreads to surrounding tissues, resulting in the typical signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, warmth, and pain. Fever and chills may develop and the redness will spread affecting more of the leg. It is treated with antibiotics. If you believe you have signs of cellulitis, you need to contact your doctor right away as untreated cellulitis can spread rapidly.

This complication can be avoided by treating the varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, which will, in turn, reduce inflammation and improve the skin condition. 

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

Practicing good skin hygiene is important. Keep your skin moisturized so that it doesn’t flake or crack easily. If the skin is not broken or leaking fluid but is inflamed, your doctor may recommend an anti-itch cream, such as one containing hydrocortisone; a cream containing zinc oxide to protect the skin; or an antifungal cream to prevent fungal infections.

Skin that is leaking fluid is treated with wet compresses. If you have ulcers on your legs, we at La Jolla Vein & Vascular will show you how to apply layered compression bandages to protect the skin and maintain blood flow.

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

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

Cellulitis & Varicose Veins2022-07-19T17:21:50-07:00

What you need to know about DVT

2022-07-16T18:48:04-07:00

What do Serena Williams, Richard Nixon, Dan Quayle, Dick Cheney and David Bloom have in common? They have all suffered a potentially fatal deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) mainly affects the large veins in the lower leg and thigh. The clot can block blood flow and cause swelling and pain. When a clot breaks off and moves through the bloodstream, this is called an embolism. An embolism can get stuck in the brain, lungs, heart, or another area, leading to severe damage.

Blood clots may form when something slows or changes the flow of blood in the veins. Risk factors include:

  • After a pacemaker catheter has been passed through the vein in the groin
  • Bedrest
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Family history of blood clots
  • Fractures in the pelvis or legs
  • Giving birth within the last 6 months
  • Heart failure
  • Obesity
  • Recent surgery (especially hip, knee, or female pelvic surgery)
  • Too many blood cells being made by the bone marrow (polycythemia vera), causing the blood to be thicker and slower than normal

You’re also more likely to develop DVT if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Blood that is more likely to clot (hypercoagulability)
  • Cancer
  • Taking estrogens or birth control pills.
  • Long airplane flights: London’s Heathrow Airport reports one passenger death a month from DVT. One nearby hospital recorded thirty passenger deaths from DVT in the past three years including a 28-year-old man. To reduce the risk of DVT during air travel,  passengers are advised to wear compression stockings on flights, frequently moving around the cabin and pumping the calf muscles, leg elevation and avoidance of sedentary positions for long periods of time without moving.

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 you need to know about DVT2022-07-16T18:48:04-07:00

26, 7, 2022

Do varicose veins cause leg cramps?

2022-12-13T13:23:37-08:00

Leg cramps occurring at night (nocturnal leg cramps) are a common symptom of venous disease. In fact, in the San Diego Population Study, leg cramps were the second most common symptom in people with the venous disease with a prevalence of 14.3%. Leg aching (17.7%) was the most common complaint and tired and swollen legs were also predominant symptoms.

Healthy veins collect the deoxygenated blood from the tissues. The venous blood, which is low in oxygen and high in waste products is returned to the heart and lungs where it is replenished with oxygen and nutrients.  In diseased veins, the blood circulates poorly, allowing blood to pool and become stagnant. The exact mechanism that causes cramping in the legs is uncertain.  But, when the cramping is caused by poorly functioning veins, the symptoms are often alleviated by correcting the underlying problem.  Conservative measures, such as elevating the legs, walking regularly, and wearing compression therapy may reduce the frequency of night cramps. Treating the underlying venous insufficiency may be curative.

There are many causes for leg cramps and if you suffer from night cramps it is important to be properly evaluated to determine the cause.  Cramps that occur with exercise are more likely to be associated with a more serious condition. If your muscles cramp with walking for a short time and recover with rest this may indicate arterial disease.  Other causes for leg cramps include muscle injury, thyroid conditions, pregnancy, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration or other causes.

To help identify the cause, it may be helpful to keep a log of daily activities, or change in activities; for example, heavy exertion may indicate a muscular cause or long periods of standing or sitting may favor the venous disease.  A recent study showed that prolonged standing at work may be an important risk factor for varicose veins and nocturnal leg cramps.

Check with your primary care physician to rule out other causes for leg cramps. Blood tests can check for thyroid, kidney and electrolyte conditions.  You may also have undiagnosed venous reflux.

At La Jolla Vein Care, our vascular imaging scanners help us detect vascular causes of leg pain. For example, we can utilize one of our three duplex ultrasound imaging systems to scan for blood clots in the leg veins (deep venous thrombosis), venous insufficiency and identify significant problems in the arterial circulation.

 

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. 

 

Do varicose veins cause leg cramps?2022-12-13T13:23:37-08:00

Before & After Varicose Vein Treatment

2022-12-13T13:08:14-08:00

Varicose Veins: Patient Transformations 

What are varicose veins?

They are the twisted, bulging veins just beneath the surface of the skin. These 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.

What causes them?

Varicose veins are caused by leaky vein valves, which allow blood to pool within the veins causing them to stretch and become enlarged. These veins can be an isolated finding, but the majority of the time, they are caused by underlying venous reflux disease. Venous reflux disease is also known as venous stasis, venous insufficiency or venous incompetence. Reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins.

In our study, led by Dr. Nisha Bunke and published in the Journal of Vascular Ultrasound in 2018, we studied over 1,000 legs with varicose veins. Over 90% of the time, the source of the varicose veins were the great and small saphenous veins. The Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) courses up the middle of the thigh and calf and the small saphenous vein (SSV), which courses along 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. 

As you can see below, these patient transformations after varicose vein treatment are remarkable!

varicose veinvaricose veinvaricose vein

 

 

La Jolla Vein Care Before and After Transformations:

 

At La Jolla Vein Care, we are here for our patients from beginning to the end. We love seeing the transformations that take place. Below are a few cases from our patient transformations from before varicose vein treatment to after varicose vein treatment. 

 

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. 

 

Before & After Varicose Vein Treatment2022-12-13T13:08:14-08:00

What a Duplex Ultrasound can detect

2022-06-25T17:57:32-07:00

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.

 

Diseases of the blood vessels can affect both veins and arteries.

Vascular refers to the blood vessels in the body. There are two main types of blood vessels; the arteries and veins. Arteries bring oxygen-rich blood from the heart to every inch of the body; vein return the blood back to the heart and lungs for more oxygen. Vascular disease is when the blood vessels are no longer healthy.

Common types of vein disease include:

  • Varicose veins
  • Chronic venous insufficiency
  • Deep venous thrombosis

Common types of artery disease includes:

  • Carotid artery disease and stroke (TIA or Stroke)*
  • Lower extremity arterial disease (PAD)**
  • Upper extremity arterial disease
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

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 a Duplex Ultrasound can detect2022-06-25T17:57:32-07:00

Ways to ease your vein pain at home

2022-06-25T17:52:44-07:00

While venous interventions are the best way to alleviate long-term vein pain related to varicose veins, symptoms can be managed conservatively at home. Especially under the stay-at-home safe harbor orders.  Conservative management can be helpful to relieve symptoms and also prevent complications (such as thrombophlebitis). These include:

  • Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time to avoid vein pain:  To keep blood moving when you have to sit or stand for long periods, try these tips: at work, take walking breaks and try walking during your lunch hour. While sitting, try flexing your feet up and down 10 times an hour. When standing, raise yourself up and down on your toes or rock back and forth on your heels.
  • Exercise: Exercising is good for your veins because it improves blood flow. Walking, cycling or swimming are great exercises for vein health. But be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
  • Weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight to avoid vein pain: Being overweight puts extra pressure on your veins.
  • Leg elevation: Use leg elevation three or four times a day for about 15 minutes at a time. Even elevating your legs on a step stool or ottoman is beneficial. If you need to sit or stand for a long period of time, flexing (bending) your legs occasionally can help keep blood circulating. If you have mild to moderate varicose veins, elevating your legs can help reduce leg swelling and relieve other symptoms.
  • Compression stockings: These elastic stockings squeeze or compress the veins and prevent blood from flowing backward. Compression stockings must be graduated, medical-grade compression to be beneficial. TED hose are not adequate to reduce symptoms in venous disease for active patients. Although we typically recommend being fit for compression stockings, compression stockings can be purchased at home, from online resources. Email us if you would like suggestions.
  • Supplements such as horse chestnut and grape seed extract can help reduce symptoms of venous disease. Vascular is a prescription medication that may be helpful for some. Always check with your PCP before starting supplements or new medications as there may be side effects that could aggravate your vein pain.
  • A flavonoid-rich diet including berries, green tea can reduce inflammation and pain.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen help reduce vein pain.
  • Ice packs are my favorite way of reducing painful veins. Put ice cubes in a ziplock bag and apply to tender veins.
  • Anti-inflammatory creams can be prescribed to apply directly to painful 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. 

 

Ways to ease your vein pain at home2022-06-25T17:52:44-07:00

Vein Health & Your Nutrition

2022-06-25T17:32:08-07:00

One’s vein health and nutrition is very important. One contributing factor that can influence your vein health is through your diet and what foods you consume on a daily basis. There are nutrient dense foods that help contribute to your health. For vein health specifically, foods that are rich in flavonoids 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. It’s important to include in your daily nutrition foods that have antioxidants. 

 

In addition to having antioxidant qualities, research shows that flavonoids 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.Flavonoids 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 flavonoid rich include cocoa and chocolate, bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, grapes, blueberries, cranberries, apples, peanuts, onions, garlic, tea and red wine.

Besides improving your nutrition for your vein health, remind the cook to use compression socks- long hours of standing in the kitchen can cause leg fatigue, heaviness and swelling and eventually be a sign of venous disease. 

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. 

 

Vein Health & Your Nutrition2022-06-25T17:32:08-07:00
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© Copyright 2010-2025, La Jolla Vein & Vascular | All Rights Reserved

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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