"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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Monday, August 10, 2009
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Board Certified Honoree
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Sarat K. Dash, M.D of the The Vein & Laser Center of New Jersey has recently been awarded a board certification in phlebology from the American Board of Phlebology. There are only a total of 412 diplomates nationwide, according to NJ.com.
"Certification periods are 10 years and maintenance depends on the diplomate's ability to display competency in four areas of assessment: evidence of professional standing, evidence of commitment to lifelong learning and periodic self-assessment, evidence of cognitive expertise, and evaluation of performance in practice" explains NJ.com.
This certification is an honor bestowed to less than 1% of practicing phlebologists in North America. Dr. Dash is skilled in laser therapy, diagnosis of venous disease, and venous surgery to name a few of his accomplishments.
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Friday, August 07, 2009
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New Drug for Blood Clots
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There is a high risk of blood clot formation in the lower extremities after major joint surgery. To reduce the risk, patients are often given blood thinners. A drug called Apixaban is a new oral medication that reduces the risk of blood clots while also reducing the risk of excess bleeding after surgery.
NewsOK reports that "the drug is still undergoing trials but could benefit the millions of baby boomers expected to have hip or knee replacement surgeries in coming years who are at risk of blood clots, also known as deep-vein thrombosis."
Blood clots that begin in the leg after hip or knee surgery can break off and travel to the lung, causing a pulmonary embolism. Traditional blood thinners can lead to excess bleeding if complications occur. Drugs like Apixaban have been created to lower this risk. Apixaban is still in the trial phase.
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Thursday, August 06, 2009
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Web Chat With Your Vein Doctor
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Many doctors give free consultations to patients who have questions in regards to their vein health. One clinic has opened their office to a new type of patient: the patient on the web. The Decatur Vein Clinic is hosting a free live web chat forum to answer questions from potential patients.
Doctors are beginning to utilize the web as a powerful tool to reach their patients. The web is full of information on procedures, risks, statistics, and general information. However, it can be difficult to verify what information is correct and what facts apply directly to the individual. In addition, those dealing with venous issues may not always have the time to come into the office for a consultation. This web chat session allows for questions to be answered without taking too much time out of a person's day.
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
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Your Old Veins
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As you age, so do your veins. The years of pressure from high heels, being overweight, and lack of exercise takes a toll on your leg veins. Many people believe that the pain in their legs is just a side effect of growing old. However, this may not always be the case. Varicose veins may have developed in the legs which can become very painful and require treatment.
"A varicose vein is kind of like a gallbladder. It has a function, but when it's not functioning, its removal helps your whole body work better" says radiologist Dr. Goertzen to NewsOK.
Newer treatments are available to make varicose vein removal more efficient than ever. Endovenous ablation uses lasers to heat up the blood around the veins, causing the vein itself to shut down. Recovery time is quick, usually within days of the procedure. These veins are shut down in order to relieve symptoms and to protect from more serious complications.
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Tuesday, August 04, 2009
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Technology Goes Global
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A hand-held vein illuminator device has officially passed safety and design standards in order to be marketed internationally. The AccuVein AV300 has already had a successful launch in the United States and is now going to be available for physicians in Europe.
"Receiving approval to ship the AV300 to Europe is an important step in bringing this beneficial device to health care practitioners around the globe," said the President of AccuVein.
The AV300 helps locate hard-to-find veins with ease, allowing physicians to improve their care without the trouble of searching for viable veins. The technology is lightweight and can be used as a hand-held device or hands-free if the physician needs to perform a procedure. AccuVein hopes that this technology will make venous treatment easier and more efficient for physicians.
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Monday, August 03, 2009
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Hitting the Books
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To prepare for final exams, students usually spend hours in study sessions to ensure a passing grade. One student studied so much, that a blood clot formed in her leg and eventually progressed into Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Her leg had swollen to a point where she could barely walk.
"I thought I had pulled a muscle. But over the period of a week, it got worse. After sitting my English exam, I was in so much pain. I (called my doctor) who told me to go straight to the hospital. It was there that they told me I had DVT" said the girl to Fox News.
Limited mobility can be a risk factor for developing blood clots. Sitting in a chair for hours restricts blood flow from constantly moving through the leg veins. Students should be aware of this danger and walk around every few hours. Taking a mental break to stretch your legs is a good idea for study habits, and for the health of your veins.
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Friday, July 31, 2009
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Free Screening
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Doctor Henry Childers of Southern Ohio Medical Center Heart and Vascular Associates is offering weekly free varicose vein screenings for anyone who is interested. These screenings are to help patients asses their own vein health and potentially spot a venous issue early. Many patients may not want to make a doctor appointment just to check on their veins. These free screenings allow patients the luxury of getting checked out, without the hassle and possible fees.
"There is nothing to loose at the free screening, if you are a candidate you will gain something. If you are not a candidate we are not going to do something that's not going to help," Dr. Childers said to his local paper The Community Common.
Many other doctors offer free services as well for the benefits it may provide. Physicians that are able to examine a patient may catch the disease early. If spotted, physicians can immediately set up an appointment with these new patients to fix the problem. Instead of waiting until there is a serious problem, patients can begin treatments early to improve their success.
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
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VNUS Makes Removal Quick
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The VNUS closure procedure makes removing harmful and painful varicose veins quicker and easier than ever. Those suffering from varicose veins say they feel heaviness to their legs and perhaps fatigue. Once the procedure is complete, these symptoms usually disappear. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and uses a small incision hole, in comparison to traditional surgical treatments that are more invasive.
"Doctors say think of the vein system as a traffic map. When one freeway is faulty and the bloods not traveling efficiently the answer here is to shut it down" reports ABC News. Surrounding veins will take up the responsibilities of the diseased vein that is removed. The procedure is covered by most insurance companies and is growing in popularity due to the efficiency of treatment.
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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Armstrong Stockings
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Compression stockings have been known to help patients with lowering the risk of DVT. One member who is also utilizing these stockings is the world renowned athlete Lance Armstrong. He is using the stockings for recovery after his workouts. The stockings help regulate blood flow to his fatigued muscles.
These stockings are normally worn by those of high risk for varicose veins or DVT, but this new media exposure may bring others into the market. Tests have not been completed to determine if compression stockings really help athletes in performance and recovery. Armstrong also wore the stockings on a plane ride overseas to regulate for the same purposes. The use of these stockings continues to grow, and Armstrong may be the leader in bringing compression stockings into the media. Perhaps more people will consider their use for their own issues, especially those with venous issues.
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Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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Short Flights Lower DVT Risks
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A few posts ago, we discussed how airlines warn passengers about the possibility of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) while on long flights. In recent news, German researchers say that developing a blood clot, or DVT, is very unlikely in healthy travelers. The risk is lessened especially for flights that are under six hours in length.
At the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, research was conducted on DVT and air travel. This included the experiences of millions of air travelers. The results of the study show that about two to five passengers out of every 10,000 passengers (.05%) who took a flight longer than six to eight hours developed DVT. Even the passengers who were at higher risk due to large varicose veins or being overweight were not very likely to develop a blood clot. The study says that only 20 out of 10,000 (0.2%) of these travelers were affected.
Those taking shorter flights should not stress themselves too much in regards to venous health. Flying in coach seats, which are known to restrict leg space, may limit your leg mobility. Travelers should still be aware of their bodies and try to stretch their legs when possible.
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