"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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Wednesday, March 04, 2009
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DVT Month
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As we have always noted in past blogs, awareness is key to prevention. Educating the public about the risks, dangers, symptoms and treatments for various diseases can significantly aid in early detection and preventing serious problems from accruing. This month our highlight of awareness month is Deep Vein Thrombosis Month (DVT Month). DVT affects at least 2 million people a year and has potential to be fatal if gone untreated, which is why physicians are urging people to get educated about the dangers of DVT this month.
A local New Jersey paper reports, "To help the public learn about the disease, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, or RWJUH, in New Brunswick will be hosting an awareness event at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 5, that will highlight DVT's risk factors, warning signs and related effects."
If treated early DVT can be virtually harmless, alongside the dangers DVT also causes pain, discomfort and unattractive veins. So it's vital to your vein and leg health that you learn more about the available treatments.
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Friday, February 27, 2009
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SIGVARIS Educating the Public on Venous Disease
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Once again SIGVARIS, the company that makes and distributes compression socks, is educating the public and physicians about vein health and compression socks. They have partnered with Medtrade to teach physicians how to properly use compression socks for prevention and treatment of venous disease. SIGVARIS has taken an active role in educating the public about the dangers, risks, symptoms, and treatments of varicose veins and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
The SIGVARIS press release said, "SIGVARIS is pleased to present our all-day accredited Fitter Seminar at Medtrade Spring. We realize in these economic times that traveling to attend a seminar is difficult, so we are bringing the course to Medtrade, the biggest medical retailer event in the country! Participants will receive valuable information on vein anatomy and the progression of vascular disease, as well as an understanding of the SIGVARIS unique Precise Fit Sizingâ„¢ system and high quality stockings and socks. Hints and tips of applying and removing compression therapy garments will also be shared,' said Judith Brannan, SIGVARIS US Education Manager."
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Friday, February 27, 2009
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Varicose Vein Increase Among Youth
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The Gulf Times, a Middle Eastern publication based in Qatar has reported that varicose vein cases among the young have increased. More teenagers and individuals in their twenties are falling victim to ropy, painful, and unwanted veins. The numbers are so significantly on the rise that vascular surgeons and vein health practitioners are holding a conference to address the issues. The physicians are hoping that young adults will attend the conference and learn about the risks, symptoms, and treatments available to better their vein health.
The Gulf Times article said, "According to the doctor, self-care such as exercising, losing weight, not wearing tight clothes, elevating the legs, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting can ease pain and prevent varicose veins from getting worse."
Numbers are still not as high as they are in the US or Europe, but increased cases of youth lacking proper vein health is definitely a concern for doctors. Awareness and education are key for prevention and treatment.
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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Minimally Invasive Removal Treatments Gaining Ground
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With over 20 million Americans suffering from varicose veins, no wonder physicians have been developing and promoting (in a frenzy) easy, cost-efficient, and less painful treatments to remove the unwanted ropy veins. Often times varicose veins are linked to more serious ailments like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is why removing them is essential to better health. After living with them for years many patients finally take the plunge and go through fairly painful and time consuming treatments like vein stripping. However in recent year's radio frequency removal and laser removal have become much more popular and effective in removing the unattractive painful veins.
The minimally invasive procedures are gaining ground globally. ABC News affiliate KSPR reported, "Patients need little recovery time. The beauty of microwave technique is those patients have almost no pain. We don't give anyone any pain medicine. They go back to work the next day, normal activities the next day. No down time at all, Dr. Dunn said."
Many minimally invasive procedures are covered by health insurance, but even if they are not the cost is affordable and considerably less painful than invasive stripping techniques.
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
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Baby Boomer Vein Surgeries Booming
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A popular trend in the baby boomer demographic at the moment is varicose vein and venous disease related surgeries. As our baby boomer population begins to age, their health begins to deteriorate. One common ailment is varicose veins and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). After years of standing, sitting at work for long hours and traveling in the air, many of these people are vulnerable and susceptible to such vein health issues.
Luckily treatments like VNUS ClosureFast and Radio Frequency Occlusion have been easier, more cost efficient and less painful as opposed to former painful stripping techniques. Traditional techniques involved long recovery times, high costs and required anaesthesia. These new and improved removal procedures are booming among ailing baby-boomers.
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Monday, February 23, 2009
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Aisle Please
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Next time you are asked if you'd like an aisle or window seat, you should probably say 'aisle take that one please.' We all know traveling overseas or even domestically in cattle class can be quite strenuous and uncomfortable on our legs and our veins. Recent studies are showing that window seats are known to have damaging and adverse side effects on vein health if you sit for prolonged periods of time. The aisle seat allows you to stretch your legs and increase the blood flow throughout your body, limiting the chances of developing varicose veins, spider veins or even worse Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
The Sydney Morning Herald reported, "Author Mark Gendreau, of the Lahey Medical Center in the United States, said immobilization had been linked to 75 per cent of of DVT cases, which occurred mostly in people in non-aisle seats and those who traveled for more than eight hours."
Next time that stewardess lets you have an upgrade to business class, or you are asked which seat, always opt for aisle. There are already so many discomforts in long distance air travel, don't allow vein health issues to worsen your flight experience. If you bring compression socks on that long-haul flight that too will impede the development of varicose veins and increase blood flow. Travel safe and choose the aisle.
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Thursday, February 19, 2009
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Unfriendly Skies
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Increased number of baby boomers and aging travelers on airlines has meant more health problems mid-air and post flight. Though most people are savvy and aware enough to know that our veins are negatively affected by prolonged periods of sitting and standing (overseas air travel) so we take caution and wear compression socks and walk around a lot. But many are worried that the elderly are considerably less immobile whilst on planes, and others are simply unaware of the dangers in extended periods of plane travel.
BBC News reported, "An ageing population means passengers are boarding planes with existing health problems, researchers warn. Extended flight times could also increase the risk to health, they say. The review of the many studies into the health risks of flying found an overall association between air travel and venous thromboembolism (VTE), which occurs when a blood clot in a leg vein travels through the body to the lung."
Many younger aged fliers use preventative techniques to limit their chances of developing varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). There may be loads of inflight entertainment, but take a bit of time investigating vital information about your vein health.
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Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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Technology and Popularity
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As technology begins to improve in the vein industry so too does the popularity and awareness of venous disease. From news stations to newspapers, media organizations, physicians and people are becoming savvy and knowledgeable about the methods available to treat and prevent varicose veins and spider veins. From SIVGARIS vein health conventions to gabbing about the unsightly ailments with friends, more people are learning how to keep their legs and veins healthy.
Laser removal and stripping techniques have become so advanced and efficient that they too are making headlines. From VNUS Closure Fast to Radio Frequency Occlusion, their are a large number of ways to remove varicose veins. The traditional method of invasive stripping has become completly obselete whilst there remain to be many industry ubiquitous hype surrounding some prevention methods and removal techniques. Stick to the few main treatments highlighted on veindirectory.org and read the papers for new updates in the sector.
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Monday, February 16, 2009
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History in the Making
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A medical milestone has been achieved in Australia, more specifically in the field of vein health. A Sydney based hospital is one of the first in Australia to pioneer a machine that lets physicians see the veins mapped out on the surface of the skin. The VeinViewer uses infra-red images on the skin of underlying veins. According to the Sun-Herald, "The light shows up the hemoglobin in red blood cells and the image is captured by video camera. The images are processed by a computer and projected onto the patients skin using a green light."
The benefits of such a machine are endless; patients may be able to detect venous disease at earlier stages and prevent the discomfort, gnarled and unattractive veins. This is because the machine allows doctors to see veins six millimeters below the skins surface. This screening treatment will be so beneficial for people to prevent spider and varicose veins.
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Friday, February 13, 2009
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Radio Frequency Occlusion Gaining Popularity
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Many people suffering from the pains, aches, and unsightliness of varicose veins often seek out very painful and time consuming vein stripping treatments. Though in recent months the procedure called radio frequency occlusion has become a popular tactic to remove those ropy veins. In fact, people are such fans that the procedure is making headlines on many new stations and organizations nationwide.
WDEF news has reported, "Radio Frequency Closure involves sticking a tiny, special catheter into the diseased vein. Using RF, a small portion of the catheter heats up, causing the vein to collapse. Like other physicians, Dr. Coates says he used to tell patients to elevate their feet, wear support stockings, or exercise more to treat the symptoms of varicose veins. That changed, when he had the procedure done himself. "You dont feel like walking when your legs feel like your carrying 10lbs of ankle weights by 4pm in the afternoon you dont feel like getting out and doing it."
As vein health and varicose vein treatments begin to gain popularity, the 40 million Americans nationwide will hopefully have the pain of venous disease more easily stripped from their bodies. Hopefully vein health awareness gains as much popularity as other diseases.
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