"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, May 07, 2009
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Natural Varicose Vein Remedies
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Clearly, varicose veins are a nuisance: from discomfort to aesthetics, they
plague millions of people each year. Generally the first form of treatment
is invasive or rather minimally invasive procedures which are efficient and
effective at removing the gnarled veins. However, prior to jumping on board
the surgical path, there are a number of home remedies available to ease the
pain or aid in remedying the varicose veins.
Personal Liberty News wrote about natural remedies saying, "In particular,
moderate muscle-toning exercise or yoga help veins preserve their natural
shape, while the cholesterol-lowering effects of exercise may act to boost
vein health from within. Herbal supplements, such as horse chestnut extract
are also commonly used to treat varicose veins. Studies have shown the
active component in horse chestnut called aescin appears to block the
release of enzymes that damage capillary walls, according to the alternative
health section of About.com, an informational website."
Similarly, a number of holistic websites say that eating an ample supply of
antioxidants, buckwheat, fruit are great preventative remedies. While
avoiding heavy consumption of red meats, salt, alcohol and cheese is a wise
choice. So perhaps prior to undergoing surgical treatments, stick to home
remedies and see if a healthy lifestyle will promote healthy veins.
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Friday, May 01, 2009
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Insurance and Venous Disease
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For years now there has been a dispute and controversy over why varicose
veins and spider veins are not covered by insurance. For patients suffering
from severe cases of varicose veins, those turning into Deep Vein
Thrombosis, may have removal treatments covered, by why not those of us
opting for treatment for cosmetic reasons? After all, even if it is
cosmetic, venous disease is still an ailment that can lead to more serious
health problems.
Some would argue if the government was able to provide hundreds of thousands
of dollars for tattoo removal programs, why not provide funding for venous
disease treatment? Though it should be noted that sclerotherapy and some
stripping techniques are actually covered by insurance if the varicose and
spider veins are considered a health hazard by physicians. Hopefully soon
the dispute ends and insurance companies will cover all costs.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
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Venous Disease Research Awards
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The Venous Disease Coalition is making great strides in bringing vein health
to the forefront of news and research. In fact the group has organized an
awards for best venous disease research (this includes, varicose veins,
spider veins, Deep Vein Thrombosis and other ailments regarding vein
health).
Smart Brief released the news saying, "The Venous Disease Coalition has
announced its first annual Venous Disease Research Awards celebrating the
best published research contributing to the understanding and treatment of
venous disease. We encourage you to nominate venous research published
between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009. The awards will be made at the
Vascular Disease Foundation's dinner Sept. 16."
Many physicians say that the key to preventing venous disease is education
and awareness. So programs like this and groups like the coalition
significantly aid in educating the public about the risks, symptoms and
treatments available.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
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Minimally Invasive Procedures Set to Expand Globally
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The United States and other western counterparts have been very successful
in implementing minimally invasive varicose vein removal procedures. From
laser treatments to radiofrequency occlusion, the market has significantly
expanded over the years. However, some are saying that the industry is
likely to grow in areas that require less-costly and time consuming
treatments like in Brazil.
PR News Wire discussed the possible increase, "The varicose vein treatment
device market in the country, widely considered to be one of the most
aesthetically-conscious in the world, is limited primarily by the Brazilian
universal public health system, which provides reimbursement for surgical
vein removal (stripping) procedures but not for more advanced, minimally
invasive procedures such as endovenous ablation and sclerotherapy. As a
result, patients must pay for these treatments out-of-pocket. Nevertheless,
procedure volumes for these minimally invasive alternatives will increase by
approximately 10% annually from 2009 to 2013 due to growing patient demand
for the superior cosmetic results and reduced postoperative pain associated
with these therapies."
Surgical stripping has long been considered the go-to for venous disease
treatment in many parts of the world. However, as people become more
aesthetically driven and the tools and techniques become readily available
in less privileged countries, it may boom as it did in the US.
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Monday, April 27, 2009
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No Pain, All Gain
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Over the years medical technology has drastically improved post-op recovery
for patients in many fields. One of those successful fields is vascular
surgery and treating venous disease. With more than 40 million people
nationwide suffering from varicose veins and spider veins, technology is
dramatically improved not only the success rate of removal and stripping but
also pain. Many of these patients struggled day in and day out with their
gnarled veins bulging out, and for some the recovery was just as
painstaking. However, with procedures like laser removal, radiofrequency
occlusion and some others, pain is lessened as is recovery time.
KY3 News said, "You shouldn't assume varicose veins are just nuisances that
come with aging. Damaged veins need medical attention, an technology just
keeps giving doctors new tools to fix the problems."
Hopefully with more time, we can develop even faster more cost efficient
procedures to not only remove these ropy veins, but do so in a timely and
less painful manner than even now. Progress in the venous disease spectrum
has been great, and in fact more patients are becoming aware of the
importance of removal and treatment.
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
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More Vein Clinics Opening
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With over 40 million people in the United States suffering from gnarled,
ropy and painful varicose veins, the number of vein health clinics has
increased over the years. In fact the minimally invasive industry for
removing varicose and spider veins has also grown rapidly. With more and
more people opting to remove their unattractive varicose veins, even
dermatology offices are beginning to bring in treatments.
The market is constantly expanding and even warranting new clinics to spur
in locations all across the US. So now as opposed to travelling to big
cities (eg. Los Angeles, New York and Houston), patients are seeing
dermatologists and skilled professionals in vein health open clinics even in
small towns. This is great news for the vein health industry.
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
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Varicose Vein Screenings
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As new techniques for varicose and spider vein removal emerge onto the
market, many hospitals and vein clinics are looking to expose their new
methods onto the industry and patents. The Vein Center at Carney Hospital
will be providing free vein scans whilst also introducing new treatments.
This Boston clinic is following in the footsteps of others which are looking
to bring about the notion of early detection of venous disease and simply
awareness of symptoms, treatments and removal.
A local Boston paper the Dorchester Reporter said, "A free Varicose Vein
Screening will be offered on Tuesday, May 12, from 4-6 p.m. in Carney's new
Copeland Surgical Center located off the Seton Medical Office Building
Lobby. If you have varicose veins that result in painful, achy, or swollen
legs you may benefit from this free screening. The screening will provide a
limited venous ultrasound examination and brief consultation with a
physician."
These free testings will also allow patients to learn about the various
products and treatments available on the market, where to get one and how.
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
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Increased Flight Routes and Possible DVT Rise
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For nearly 2 million people worldwide travel is a way of life, whether it is
business or pleasure, we hop on airplanes and travel great distances. But
are we aware of the detriment this luxury may be causing to our vein health?
It is being said that new flying routes are being added day in and day out
globally, from direct flights to Dubai and South America alike, our worldly
ways may be harming our health. These increased flight routes may also mean
increase in Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) cases.
The National paper said, "Immobilisation has been linked to 75 per cent of
air-travel cases of DVT. Passengers move less in non-aisle seats and
correspondingly, more instances of the condition have been found in those
travellers. Common sense dictates that you should take an aisle seat if you
can, drink plenty of water, and reduce caffeine consumption and move about
as much as possible on-board."
A key factor and cause of DVT is prolonged hours of immobility – often times
induced from flying. So if the travel bug has bit you, it may be wise to
consider travelling safer and better. Use compression socks to increase the
blood flow and walk periodically to keep your legs moving during those
long-haul direct flights.
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Friday, April 17, 2009
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Women's Health Week
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Here ye Here ye, for all you women out there, Monday will ring in Women's
Health Week. In lieu of bettering our health, a Foxboro, Massachusetts
medical center is offering free screenings for women. Whether you are
looking to get a body scan or a varicose vein scan, the Brigham and
Women's/Mass General Health Care Center is offering it all from April 30th –
May 7th.
The Walpole Times (local newspaper) said, "Events will include free
screenings for varicose veins as well as skin health analyses, and free mini
facials provided by Green Tangerine Spa and Salon. Health lectures for
women will be held on chronic pain management, bladder problems, ACL injury
and skin cancer prevention. *Varicose Vein Screenings *will be held
Thursday, April 30, from 5 - 8 p.m. Concerned about varicose veins? This
screening evaluates you for a new one-hour laser treatment that can return
you back to your normal everyday activities."
Varicose veins often plague millions of women worldwide, and a large number
of cases go undetected or simply untreated which may ultimately cause Deep
Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and other more serious ailments.
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Thursday, April 16, 2009
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Controversy of Varicose Vein Treatment
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A nurse in the UK who has been plagued with varicose veins for years now has
been denied payment over her removal treatments. For a woman who has spent
prolonged hours working as a nurse standing up right all the time, it's no
wonder she contracted a form of venous disease. The controversy stirs as
some physicians in the UK and US refuse to have insurance companies pay for
treatment, since so many people get treated for cosmetic purposes. But for
people like Toni whom have Grade's 2, 3 or 4 the removal treatments are
necessary. There are definitely hazards to living with varicose veins.
The Surrey Herald reported saying, "I'm on my feet all day and by the end of
it I'm in absolute agony with the varicose veins."My GP referred me to a
specialist, who said the veins need to be treated within the next five years
or I'm at risk of irreversible damage, leg ulcers and more. Toni, a
mum-of-three, considered getting the treatment privately after the trust's
refusal, but was told it would cost her £3,000. I have to wear compression
socks to ease it, but what I really need is treatment."
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