"The Know" is an informational resource concerning vein treatment options. It contains valuable information for prospective patients, physicians as well as those in the vein treatment industry. We will be regularly posting educational articles, video logs and other pertinent information. We encourage your feedback and welcome any suggestions that you feel may improve the blog.
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Thursday, February 02, 2012
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Men and Varicose Veins: How to Prevent and Treat
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You may be surprised to learn that men suffer from varicose veins, a health concern that is more typically associated with women. This vein condition is actually fairly common in men, particularly as they get older. In fact, more than 40 percent of men in their seventies are affected by varicose veins. Varicose veins can be very painful and unsightly, and can sometimes lead to other medical conditions or complications.
Varicose Veins: How they happen
How do vein conditions occur in men? As in women, varicose veins can be traced to problems in the circulatory system. Many vein conditions result from a failure in the circulatory system’s valves, which regulate blood flow. If the valves do not function properly, too much blood can collect in the section of vein below the valve, adding pressure to the valve wall. This pressure can cause your veins to stretch out of shape, appearing enlarged and discolored, resulting in varicose veins. Men who suffer from varicose veins may have inherited the condition, which can be exacerbated by being tall or overweight, as well as long periods of sitting or standing.
In addition to swollen, discolored and enlarged veins, symptoms of varicose veins or venous insufficiency can include aching, cramping and burning, itching and tingling, pain that gets worse when standing, or night cramps and swollen ankles.
Varicose Veins and Male Infertility
One surprising medical condition that is associated with varicose veins in men is male infertility. Roughly fifteen percent of all men get varicose veins in the scrotum, regardless of age. This is a condition known as varicoceles, which can lead to depleted testosterone levels. According to experts, the testes have two important functions: the production of sperm, and the production of testosterone. If a man suffers from varicose veins in the scrotum, he may have impaired testosterone production that can result in infertility. It is estimated that nearly thirty-five percent of all cases of infertility experienced by couples during their first attempt to get pregnant are a result of varicoceles (male infertility.) Luckily, varicoceles can be treated by removal of the offending veins through a simple surgery, returning testosterone levels to normal with a few months of treatment for a large percentage of patients.
Male menopause, known as andropause, can also result from varicoceles. The symptoms or early onset of male menopause can be minimized through a simple microsurgery to remove the offending veins from the scrotum to increase the production of testosterone.
Prevention of Vein Conditions in Men
Vein conditions can be hereditary, but there are things men can do to prevent the development of symptoms or complications from varicose veins or venous insufficiency.
- Ask your physician to check for varicoceles as part of your routine health exam. Early detection will allow for early preventative measures – or treatments – to head off any discomfort, infertility or other issues associated with the condition.
- Wear compression socks or a vein support stocking over the affected area. These are designed to put variegated pressure along the leg, with the tightest fit occurring in the lower limb. When valves in the circulatory system are not performing their shut-off function properly, compression socks can help by squeezing the veins and preventing the blood from flowing backwards and pooling in one section of a vein.
More Tips for Relief from Varicose Veins:
Take a load off. When at rest, you should elevate your legs whenever possible, positioning your legs higher than your heart.
Flex it! When you have been sitting or standing for long periods of time, try to remember to flex your ankles up and down every 10 minutes or so. This will pump blood out of your legs by simulating the ankle-flexing motion that happens when you are walking.
Skip the Jacuzzi. Excessive heat can increase any distention of your veins, which can lead to more pooling of blood in your lower extremities. Sitting in hot tubs or hot baths will exacerbate vein conditions.
To learn more about vein conditions in men click here.
Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071017160526.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000203.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19509477
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Monday, January 16, 2012
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Treat and Prevent Varicose and Spider Veins This New Year
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If you're looking for a "new you" in the new year, you might be thinking about some preventive health measures. After all, it's better to avoid varicose and spider veins to begin with. Unfortunately, even the best prevention strategies can fall short; some people will still develop varicose veins and spider veins due to genetics, their gender and other reasons beyond their control. So here are some tips for prevention, followed by a few easy treatment methods to get rid of minor vein problems.
Tips for Prevention
- Lose some weight. One of the factors that may contribute to spider veins is excess pressure on the legs. Less weight equals less pressure.
- Keep moving. Daily exercise like walking, climbing the stairs, swimming and other activities can help keep the circulation in your legs working properly.
- Don't sit or stand in one place for too long. Easier said and done when you work in a cubicle, right? Take quick breaks at work to get up and walk around, stretching your muscles out. You can also do some simple calf stretching exercises at your desk.
- Elevate your legs. Prop your feet up when you're at rest, so they're at a higher elevation than your heart.
Treatment Methods
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment method that involves an injection. Spider veins and smaller varicose veins are injected with a chemical "sclerosing" agent. This causes the offending vein to harden and fade away with time, while blood flow is diverted to nearby healthy veins.
A laser or pulsed light is another easy method of spider vein removal. The laser is used to seal off the vein at each end. This causes it to collapse; the vein fades away and disappears over time. Pulsed light treatments work similarly.
Ambulatory phlebectomy treatment method uses tiny incisions along the length of the vein. The spider vein is then pulled out in sections through these little incisions. The cuts are so tiny that no stitches are required.
To find out more about vein treatment options, click here to find a vein specialist in your area!
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011
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Treating Varicose Veins: Big or Small, There's a Laser for You
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You don’t have to live with the pain and discomfort of varicose veins anymore. A doctor can treat them and get rid of them with a laser, whether you have minor surface veins or problems with a deeper varicose vein. A simple laser treatment can deal with surface veins, or you can opt for an endovenous laser treatment for those real problem veins. Whether the problem is big or small, there’s a laser that will work for your varicose veins.
Simple Laser Treatment
A simple laser treatment can deal with smaller varicose veins near the surface of your skin. It may take more than one treatment, and each session is scheduled at least six weeks apart. The heat from the laser seals off the vein, which causes scar tissue to form. This causes the vein to collapse on itself and fade away over time. This treatment is best used for spider veins and minor surface veins. It’s often used as a secondary treatment after a larger vein is dealt with through another method. Simple laser treatment has been used for varicose veins for more than two decades and has been shown to be highly effective.
Endovenous Laser Treatment
This method is used for treating larger and deeper veins in the legs. It requires a topical or injected anesthetic. The vein is first catheterized, and then the laser is inserted into the vein through a tube. The doctor uses an ultrasound to guide the laser, which then seals off the vein. Endovenous laser treatment is mainly used for larger varicose veins in the legs. It’s a safer alternative to using surgical methods to take out the vein. Studies show that endovenous laser treatments are effective in about 94 percent of all cases. Some patients require a second treatment in order to fully get rid of a varicose vein.
Keep in mind that varicose veins could still form in your legs after a laser surgery. Follow your doctor’s advice about any lifestyle changes he recommends, in order to avoid this recurrence.
To find more about laser options for varicose veins, click here to find a vein specialist in your area.
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Friday, November 11, 2011
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Holiday Party? Get Rid of Facial Veins Fast
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Have you noticed a redness in your face that does not go away? Facial spider veins, which can be caused by environmental factors as well as by having a genetic susceptibility, can give your face a ruddiness that is permanent. If you have been thinking about getting rid of your constant blush, now is the perfect time to take action so you’ll be ready to put your best face forward in time for the holidays.
Zap It with Lasers
Facial laser treatments are effective, fast, and safe. Laser and pulsed light treatments cause small facial veins to dissolve by using heat technology. Over a period of approximately four to six weeks, the vein is reabsorbed into the body and disappears. A few treatments may be needed for optimal results.
Laser treatments are done in a specialist’s office with each treatment taking about 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the area that is being treated. You can resume normal activities immediately, but you'll want to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible to facilitate healing.
To find out more about facial spider veins and your best options to treat them, click here to find a vein specialist in your area.
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Thursday, September 22, 2011
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Faster Treatment May Prevent Return of Varicose Veins, Study Finds
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Published on Monday in the Archives of Dermatology, a recent study shows that a certain vein treatment may be helpful in preventing the return of varicose veins following treatment. This is great news for anybody experiencing the bulging, discoloration, and pain associated with varicose veins.
The study showed that a minimally-invasive treatment called endovenous laser treatment, or EVLT for short, had a lower rate of recurrence than another procedure called high ligation and stripping (HLS), which has been used for decades to treat varicose veins. The latter procedure required an overnight stay in the hospital, while the former is a quick out-patient procedure.
According to the study, patients who had undergone HLS to get rid of varicose veins saw a return of the condition in 23% of the cases. Meanwhile, patients who had undergone EVLT to get rid of varicose veins saw the condition return in 16% of the cases. The data was collected over a two-year period and involved 400 initial patients.
EVLT is becoming more and more popular, and many specialists are not even using stripping and ligation procedures anymore, with most patients opted for the less-invasive treatment path. The findings are welcome news for vein specialists and patients with varicose veins, as it shows that the treatment really is just as effective as the traditional vein stripping and ligation procedures, if not more so.
The best treatment path is prevention, though, so those at higher risk of varicose veins—those with family history, sit or stand for prolonged periods, suffer from high blood pressure, are pregnant or are obese—should elevate their legs, turn to compression stockings, or just get more exercise to help reduce their risk.
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Wednesday, September 07, 2011
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A New Way to Erase Spider Veins--Is It for You?
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Are you tired of seeing that web of spider veins across your legs? Well, there is good news for people who are looking to erase spider veins permanently. The USDA approved the use of Asclera treatments in 2010, which is a welcomed procedure for Americans who are bothered by spider veins and want an alternative to sclerotherapy . Asclera injections can now be used for the treatment of small spider veins (1mm in diameter or less) and reticular veins (1 to 3mm).
Proven Track Record
Asclera has been used in Europe for more than four decades. No other injectable or laser treatment for spider veins has been studied as long or has such a proven track record for safety and effectiveness as Asclera. Out of 5 million treatments done in Europe, 86 percent of patients that have participated in studies say they're satisfied or extremely satisfied with the results.
Painless Treatment
Patients describe Asclera injections as comfortable as it has anesthetic properties which may lessen discomfort. Very few people experience pain from the treatment, while some patients can experience discomfort from foam sclerotherapy and saline solutions.
Cost Comparison
The main advantage that traditional sclerotherapy has over Asclera is the cost. Sclerotherapy runs between $300 and $400 per session, whereas Asclera is a little more expensive, running closer to $500. With an average of three treatments required to eliminate spider veins, patients can expect to pay about $1,500 for Asclera.
To find out more about Asclera and the best treatment option for your spider veins, click here to find a vein specialist in your area.
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Monday, August 01, 2011
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Popular Procedures for Vein-free Legs
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Varicose veins are bad news: they’re not only a cosmetic concern, but they may also cause pain, swelling, itchiness or even varicose ulcers. In years past, the only varicose vein treatment options involved surgery, but here’s the good news: with modern treatment options weeks of downtime and painful incisions are things of the past. The two most popular minimally-invasive treatment options are endovenous laser ablation, or EVLA, and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, or UGS.
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is a treatment from the early 1990s and is a more advanced version of the sclerotherapy treatment, which involved injecting the varicose vein with a foamy substance that worked to close visible veins and transfer the blood flow to other healthy veins deeper inside the leg. UGS is performed in the same manner, but the treatment is assisted by ultrasound, allowing the vein doctor even better control and precision. The treatment is performed within minutes, and it is virtually pain-free.
Endovenous laser ablation is a treatment that appeared in 2001. The technique involves inserting a laser fiber into the varicose vein to cauterize and close it, again redirecting blood flow to healthier veins. Only the problem vein is numbed; the patient doesn’t require general anesthesia, reducing the potential risks of the procedure. The entire procedure is supervised through ultrasounds, so it is very safe.
The risks and recovery time are very similar with both treatment options: the recovery time is up to three weeks, but during that time walking is actually encouraged, so you will be back to your busy life right away. Don’t wait any longer to treat your varicose veins—say goodbye to painful and embarrassing veins once and for all. Click here for listings of top vein care specialists who are taking new patients in your local area.
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Wednesday, July 06, 2011
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Drug Eluting Stent Revascularization for Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Does It Work?
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Erectile dysfunction (ED), the recurrent inability to achieve and maintain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse, is an important and growing health issue. Although ED is not a life threatening medical problem, successful treatment has a substantial impact on a man’s quality of life. It is estimated worldwide over 200 million men suffer from ED; in the United States, 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 years old report some degree of ED. Notably, many experts believe ED is both under reported and under treated.
Current ED evaluation therapies consist of identifying and treating reversible causes and, typically the use of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Unfortunately, despite the large market in PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra™, Cialis™, Levitra™) 50% of men have a suboptimal response to these inhibitors which worsens over time. Once a male fails PDE5 inhibitors, subsequent therapies tend to be invasive (penile implants), cumbersome and uncomfortable (i.e. intercavernovial injections of vaso-relaxants). As such, there is a substantial clinical need to provide an efficacious easy to use and less invasive therapy for ED.
The currently enrolling ZEN trial (Medtronic Zotarolimus-eluting peripheral stent system for erectile dysfunction treatment in males with suboptimal response to PDE5 inhibitors) tests the hypothesis that drug eluting stent revascularization of an obstructed internal pudendal artery (IPA) may be an important endovascular therapy for arterial vasculogenic ED. This endovascular approach has many potential benefits for men who have suboptimal or failed responses to drug therapy and is clearly less invasive than surgical therapies. The results of this innovative trial will be reported at the late breaking trial session of the VIVA 11 conference in October.
The ZEN trial enrolled 30 patients with established ED, refractory to drug therapy and angiographically confirmed obstructive atherosclerosis in the internal pudendal artery. This important first-in-man, proof of concept feasibility and safety trial included important pre-interventional screening and post-intervention assessment of improvement of patient reported erectile function at 3 and 6 months. Angiographic to assessment of stent patency at 6 months was performed and correlation with patient reported erectile function was assessed. Importantly, ZEN marks an important initial step in the evaluation of endovascular therapies for ED.
The etiology of ED is multifactorial with the majority of cases vasculogenic; either related to inadequate arterial inflow during sexual arousal, impaired cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation, or increased permeability of venous sinusoids leading to "venous leak," most common in diabetics. The epidemiologic link between ED, coronary disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) is of special importance for cardiovascular specialists as all three conditions share the common risk factors of diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and tobacco abuse. Indeed, ED has emerged as a potential harbinger of subsequent cardiovascular events. It is estimated that 70% of men with new onset anginal symptoms and/or angiographically documented coronary disease have some degree of vasculogenic ED.
What is the normal angiographic anatomy of the IPA and how do angiographic findings correlate with ED symptoms? How many men with suspected or known coronary or peripheral arterial disease have significant atherosclerotic IPA disease and ED and could be considered potential candidates for IPA drug eluting stent revascularization? These important questions will be addressed in the ongoing IMPASSE (Incidence of Male Pudendal Artery Stenosis in Suboptimal Erection) study. This important follow-up to ZEN will evaluate the angiographic pattern of potential IPA atherosclerosis disease in 350 men undergoing coronary or peripheral angiographic procedures with a diagnosis or treatment of CAD or PAD at 15 US sites. This registry will attempt to correlate angiographic evidence of IPA atherosclerosis disease in men with and without ED. Men with ED at the time of angiography will be followed longitudinally for three years to assess the potential development ED.
The initial questions posed and to be answered by the ZEN and IMPASSE studies will be important additions to our understanding of vasculogenic ED and assist in the future identification of the appropriate target population. Click Here to contact VIVA for more information.
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Wednesday, June 01, 2011
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Legs 4 Life, LLC Acquiring Venosan North America
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LEGS 4 LIFE, LLC ACQUIRES VENOSAN NORTH AMERICA
Purchase will Benefit Medical Community through Greater Patient Compliance, and the Most Comprehensive Line of Products from One Distributor
Asheboro, North Carolina (June 1, 2011) – Legs 4 Life, LLC, the parent company of Ames Walker International, proudly announced today that it has acquired Venosan North America, Venosan’s American brand and distributorship of Venosan’s Swiss made stockings. The acquisition enables Legs 4 Life to become the best solution in the market for patient compliance by offering the largest selection of high quality products at the most affordable price.
“Combining Ames Walker’s expertise in e-commerce with Venosan North America’s established position in medical channels was an exciting undertaking,” said Kaki Zell, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Legs 4 Life, LLC. “This acquisition will provide greater global brand awareness and reach, not only through the internet, but through a stronger presence in the medical channels as well.”
The extensive home office support and customer service that Ames Walker is known for will be a value-add to the doctors and clinics that are Venosan North America customers. These customers will also have the ability to order all of Venosan and Ames Walker brands through the same distributor.
“Compression hosiery is a rapidly evolving market,” added Zell. “Now we are even better positioned to provide our customers unparalleled service through innovative technology, co-marketing strategies and cost efficiencies.”
Venosan North America was owned by the Salzmann Group, a prominent Switzerland-based company within the compression hosiery industry. They started Venosan North America in 1993 to have some distribution presence in the US markets. Ames Walker will relocate operations to the Venosan North America headquarters in Asheboro, NC where Venosan North America and Ames Walker will operate as divisions of Legs 4 Life, LLC.
Graduated compression support hosiery is used to counteract the effect of varicose veins, leg swelling, poor or reduced leg vein circulation, DVT and just plain tired and aching legs. Graduated compression support legwear is used extensively in just about all post-operative leg vein treatments, from light sclerotherapy to extensive varicose vein removal.
About Ames Walker International
Ames Walker International was founded in 1995 and is based in Asheboro, NC. They have a customer base of over 250,000 people worldwide and have had an online presence for over fifteen years. Brands supplied by the site include Ames Walker, Jobst, Juzo, Medi, Sigvaris, Futuro and Venosan. The company has made a name for itself as a specialist for compression and diabetic hosiery, which is worn to counteract the effect of varicose veins, leg swelling, poor or reduced leg vein circulation and DVT. Graduated compression support legwear is used extensively in just about all post leg vein treatments, from light sclerotherapy to extensive varicose vein removal. For more information call customer service at 1-877-525-7224.
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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Venous Health Systems Receives FDA Clearance to Commercialize Fully Portable Pneumatic Compression System
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Venous Health Systems, Inc., a developer of solutions for treating vascular insufficiency by enhancing blood circulation, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the Food & Drug Administration to market the Vasculaire™ Compression System in the United States.
The Vasculaire Compression System is a portable pneumatic device for treating vascular insufficiency. It features an innovative platform technology comprised of a fully-portable pneumatic controller attached to a patented multi-cell compression sleeve. When the compression sleeve is placed on the patient’s calf and foot and the controller is activated, the cells promote circulation with a sequential rapid inflation wave-like motion. The increase in venous velocity achieved using the Vasculaire Compression System tests well within the range of values reported by the market-leading sequential pneumatic compression system. Without air lines or power cords, the Vasculaire Compression System represents a long-awaited solution for the hospital, extended care facility, and home markets.
“The Vasculaire Compression System is unique because it delivers performance in a palm-sized unit directly attached to the patient’s calf sleeve,” says Richard A. Lotti, President and CEO of Venous Health Systems. “Unlike other pneumatic compression devices which can weigh up to 12 lbs, the Vasculaire Compression System weighs less than 1 lb, thereby enabling patient mobility and potentially leading to increased patient compliance.”
The Vasculaire Compression System is used as a prophylactic therapy to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a vascular disease that may lead to a pulmonary embolism (PE). The System is also indicated for enhancing blood circulation; reducing edema; diminishing post-operative pain and swelling; reducing wound healing time; the treatment of stasis dermatitis, venous stasis ulcers, and arterial and diabetic leg ulcers; and the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Please call 650-851-0091 or email info@venoushealth.com for more information.
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