"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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Friday, June 26, 2009
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Stimulate your Legs
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As the start of holiday season kicks into gear, start stimulating. No not your bank accounts from the government, but instead your legs. If you are getting ready to head on a long-haul flight prep your legs and veins by routinely exercising. Physical activity stimulates blood circulation and flow, which aids in preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and venous disease – varicose and spider veins.
The Examiner said in a report, "DVT is usually associated with confined or relatively immobile situations such as driving for long distances or sitting at a computer desk for extended periods of time, but it can occur even in a hospital bed. Not surprising, DVT has become so associated with cramped airline seats that it is sometimes referred to as "economy class syndrome." It is the relative immobility – the lack of physical activity."
Such prevention and health care is vital for people over the age of 60, as DVT tends to strike older and less mobile people. However, maintaining good vein and leg health is imperative even at an earlier age. So this summer start to stimulate.
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
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Minimally Invasive Surgeries go Abroad
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Minimally invasive procedures like radiofrequency, VNUS and endovenous laser removal have all been readily accessible and used in the United States. Now such procedures are heading overseas to China. The numbers in China are far greater than that of the US, 100 million in China suffer from varicose veins and spider veins. In fact the minimally invasive charge is heading into the Asian market with full force; trained vascular surgeons will be training Chinese based physicians on such techniques.
China Daily said, "The hospital is cooperating with InaVein Llc and VNUS Inc from the United States, as well as Diomed Inc from the United Kingdom, to set up the TriVex, RFO (radiofrequency endoveous occlusion) and EVLT (endovenous laser treatment) training centers. It will hold the first training class on minimally invasive treatment for 193 doctors, mainly from northern China."
The training sessions will hopefully spread into the greater Asian region.
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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Free Vein Screening
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Southcoast Hospitals in Dartmouth is offering free varicose and spider vein screenings this coming Saturday. The Women's Health Clinic which is putting on the tests is hoping to identify which patients will be prime candidates for endovenous laser removal treatment.
Southcoast Today said, "The screening is quick and the results will determine if the patient is a candidate for the minimally invasive procedure called EVLT or not. The EVLT ... is less invasive and can eliminate the need for surgery or vein stripping." Performed by an interventional radiologist, the screening consists of an ultrasound of the leg to assess the venous anatomy, vein valve function and venous blood flow changes, which can assist in diagnosing venous insufficiency."
The hospital has said walk-ins are welcome, however they urge people to make a booking prior to showing up to expedite the process and screenings.
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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Speeding Up
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Varicose and spider vein removal techniques are becoming faster and more efficient. Far gone are the days of invasive, painful and time consuming stripping methods. In this day and age vascular surgeons and dermatologists claim to be able to remove such veins in an hour. Five years or a decade ago such efficient and easy removal methods did not even exist, which is why the 40 million Americans who suffer from varicose veins are so thrilled at the prospect of these new removal styles.
WDJB 7 News said, "This procedure doesn't require removing any vein, but just sealing off the vein that's causing the varicose veins. This catheter technology allows the doctor to close off the vein in a matter of minutes using radio frequency."We're blocking off the bad vein and letting the normal veins continue to do their work. It can be done here in the office under local anesthesia and really there is no recovery time. You can do the procedure and go right back to work," said MacMillan."
These quick and speedy procedures also allow patients to get them done during work hours and in fact go back to their normal working routine. Post-op recovery is a non-issue.
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Friday, June 19, 2009
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Make a Change
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This summer tis the season to make a change in your skim imperfections and ailments. Venous disease is both an aesthetic issue and a medical problem. There are speculations that nearly 80% of women suffer from some variation of spider veins and 40 million Americans are plagued with varicose veins. Both problems have the potential to turn into a more serious health issue like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
One viable and effective option for removal is sclerotherapy, "Sclerotherapy: Using a tiny needle, a doctor injects the spider veins with a medicated solution that "causes them to collapse and permanently disappear," says Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist in Miami and New York. You'll probably need two to three sessions to eradicate a spider vein fully. Cost: $200 and up per treatment."
So this summer try to make some lifestyle changes as well. Limit the number of hours you spend crossing your legs ladies, travel safer with compression stockings and start taking up healthy exercise classes like yoga.
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
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Covidien and VNUS Buyout
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Covidien the medical device maker and healthcare company has announced they have completed their buyout of VNUS Medical Technologies for $440 million. VNUS is a San Jose based company that makes products for treating varicose veins. Covidien has said they are hoping to expand their presence in the venous disease market and buying VNUS is part of their expansion strategy.
CNBC said, "The acquisition of VNUS will expand our vascular product line and is consistent with our strategy of becoming a leading partner with interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons," said Joe Almeida, president of medical devices for Covidien, in a statement Wednesday."
The venous disease treatment industry is said to be dramatically expanding due to innovation in technologies and demand from the 40 million people with varicose veins. It is a lucrative market to be involved in at the moment.
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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Don't Leave it Untreated
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Often times people, more specifically women, leave their varicose veins untreated and unattended to. Sadly many of the 40 million Americans suffering from venous disease do not realize the danger involved in leaving the gnarled and ropy veins untreated. This has come due in part to a lack of awareness and a lack of information about the removal methods. Many women think varicose veins are simply a cosmetic issue, when in fact they pose serious health risks.
PR News Wire released a video and press release about this issue saying, "As many women often postpone visiting their doctors for other health symptoms, Vein Clinics of America is encouraging women to listen to their legs to keep varicose veins from affecting their everyday routine."
Also, it is important to note and realize that varicose veins and spider veins have the ability to turn into Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) if untreated, so if you are suffering from these unattractive and painful veins be sure to get checked and properly treated.
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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Vein Treatments from Home
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Generally when we think of spider vein and varicose vein removal treatments and methods we associate invasive treatments and recovery time with it. But in some cases there are at-home therapies that can aid in prevention or simply help patients with venous disease. Avon's skin so soft age defying cream works like a make-up concealer and is known to help alleviate the unattractive sigh of varicose veins.
"I was so excited to get a preview package of Avon's new Skin So Soft Age Defying+ Flawless Legs. For those of use with thin skin and spider veins (yuck!) summer's a nightmare. Who wants to wear pantyhose all the time? This product promises to make legs "look dramatically more youthful and radiant" after two weeks, minimizing age spots, spider veins and cellulite."
So this summer if you aren't interested in painful or time consuming and even costly invasive procedures, try home remedies like these to get healthier legs.
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Monday, June 15, 2009
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Hormone Replacement Therapy and Venous Disease
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Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been a popular tool for menopausal women and alleviating their uncomfortable symptoms. HRT had been praised with health benefits, but for many women it may be proven to induce many adverse side-effects. A recent study shows the possibility of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and other forms of venous disease like varicose veins.
Early HRT was also associated with an increased risk of "venous thromboembolism" (for example, pulmonary embolism) and stroke, but a reduced risk of fracture of the hip. The authors conclude, "These analysis provide little support for the hypothesis of favorable effects among women who initiate postmenopausal estrogen use soon after menopause, either for coronary heart disease or for health benefits versus risk indices considered."
While some researchers and physicians deem HRT to have more negative side effects than benefits, many women still opt to use it to ease their menopause issues.
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Friday, June 12, 2009
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Downward Dog
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Yoga is known to have widely accepted benefits for preventing venous disease: spider veins, varicose veins and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). So why don't more people sign up at their local Yogaworks and head straight into a downward dog? Well the problem some believe is that yoga is not instilled as a vital health benefit from a young age. Children learn from their parents and activities like yoga are very beneficial to their health later in life. A recent trend has begun in the States where there are mommy and me yoga classes for young children and some yoga classes available at larger studios rather than daycare.
So grab your little one, fit them with clothes at LuLu Lemon and sign them up for yoga. For each pose greatly increases blood flow and aids in vein and leg health. Keeping active, stretching and good circulation are vital to preventing varicose veins.
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