"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.
January 2009 Blog Archive
Friday, January 30, 2009
Seat Change
For years now the correlation between venous disease and airplanes has existed. For all those jet-setters the notion of varicose veins has surely entered your vain mind when thinking about what bikini to where whilst sipping on mojitos in St. Tropez. But the idea of which seat is worse for you rarely enters our minds. For the safe avid traveler, compression socks are the norm. Typically these are stocking like socks that maintain the blood flow and circulation even during endless hours of sitting.
But for those of you who are less adept to wearing stockings on airplanes you may want to consider which seat you actually sit in. It is said that many people who sit in the window seat for hours on end fall victim more frequently to venous disease because they tend to move less than people sitting in other seats. Perhaps this is because the poor window-er feels bad waking up his middle and aisle counterparts every few hours. Regardless of the reason, take better care when booking your next flight overseas.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Venous Health Awareness on the Rise
The American College of Phlebology has long said that there is nothing we can do to fully prevent varicose veins from appearing. However there are some preventative measures we can take to aid in slowing down the possibility or perhaps even delaying it and keeping them from worsening. For those of us plagued with professions that keep us standing for prolonged periods of time like flight attendants, surgeons and stylists the chances of developing unsightly varicose veins are increased. But you need not fret Dr. Nick Morrison of the American College of Phlebology has outlined a number of things we can do to maintain good vein and leg health.
"His main advice: Ramp up circulation with any kind of regular aerobic exercise. Cycling, running, swimming, and even dancing can improve blood flow. Lifting heavy weights, however, appears to exacerbate matters."
Later Dr. Morrison went on to say that for those of you avid travelers it is important to prevent blood clots and varicose veins whilst flying so use compression socks. He says they are lighter weight and more aesthetically attractive to wear the socks.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Injections for Varicose Veins
The Guardian has released has a number of articles about varicose vein treatments, symptoms, and available procedures. One of which caught my attention this morning - injections as a treatment for varicose veins. Typically radiofrequency occlusion and laser treatment are some the more commonly used procedures to get rid for varicose veins, however with treatments like injections - time and money may be able to be saved. The Guardian highlighted the pros and cons in their article.
"Injections for varicose veins use chemicals to make the vein walls swell, so the vein is blocked. This stops blood flowing back into the vein. The vein eventually turns into scar tissue.Before you have injections for varicose veins, your doctor will probably do tests to pinpoint where the problems are in your veins. Tests can help find any leaky valves that are allowing blood to flow backwards and pool in your veins."
The perks of injections are that recovery time is much shorter than invasive stripping methods and likewise complications are said to be lesser than in invasive techniques. Though these are preliminary findings physicians in the UK are confident they are making progress.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Technology May Help Prevent DVT
Science Daily has released research about a computer program which notifies doctors if a patient is at risk for a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Many patients suffering DVT began their venous disease saga with a simple case of varicose veins or spider veins that went untreated. Educating patients about varicose veins is vital to preventing DVT - a more serious complication - from arising. This research suggests that many patients in hospital after surgeries are more susceptible to DVT, due in part to prolonged hours sitting in one spot, and lack of movement.
"This system sets out a risk profile for venous thromboembolism in each patient and alerts the doctor as to whether he should apply preventive or prophylactic treatment", José Antonio Páramo, co-author of the research and a doctor at the CUN, explains to SINC.This system has been described in the Thrombosis and Haemostasis journal, and achieves this by collecting information from each patient admitted to the clinic. This involves "their baseline disease, the drugs they are taking, their lifestyle such as smoking or obesity, and whether they are going to have surgery", the researcher outlines."
Researchers are hoping this new technology can one day prevent around 40% of DVT cases from occurring.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Vein Conferences Nationwide
Varicose vein conferences are becoming a vital avenue to learn about and attempt to prevent and treat venous disease. All across US universities like Duke and Brigham Young vein health expos and conferences are highlighting how to maintain vein health and get rid of ropy unattractive and painful varicose veins. From spider veins to Deep Vein Thrombosis – venous disease effects millions of people each year – which is why research teams and physicians are putting so much effort into educating the public and one another.
"The course focused on the most current information needed by health care providers to understand, prevent and treat venous diseases including varicose veins. Venous experts from the most prestigious medical centers in the United States including the Mayo Clinic, Brigham and the University of California were in attendance sharing the latest information on treating varicose veins and venous diseases. International expert speakers from United Kingdom and Argentina were also in attendance."
Friday, January 09, 2009
Vein Health Seminars
Leg and vein health seminars are gaining popularity around the states, and not just in uber cosmopolitan cities like Los Angeles and New York. Seminars highlight available treatments, symptoms and better vein care for
varicose veins to thousands of eager people nationwide. In fact this months free seminar will be held in Michigan and is titled "The Secret to Beautiful Vein Free Legs." This seminar will be held by Allure Medical Spa.
"This seminar will review modern non-surgical treatments for varicose veins. Many people with varicose veins have leg cramps, heaviness, fatigue, and even Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), in addition to cosmetic concerns. These symptoms often cause people to become inactive which can lead to other more serious illnesses as well as obesity."
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Radiofrequency Occlusion Gaining Popularity
We all know varicose veins are unsightly and rather painful, but rather than using the old fashioned stripping techniques for removal,
radio frequency occlusion has received much positive notoriety and popularity in recent months. Traditional methods are cumbersome and painful leaving marks and scars on the legs, however radio frequency occlusion is far less invasive. The procedure uses a small catheter into the vein and radio frequency waves are used to shut and close the veins fast. The process takes a mere few minutes, as opposed to large incisions in the ankles and stripping that is involved in the other methods.
The Baltimore Examiner highlighted a piece on such minimally invasive techniques and said,
"The field of minimally invasive techniques to fix varicose veins has emerged in the past four years as technology has improved, said Dr. Sanjiv Lakhanpal, a cardiovascular surgeon at the Center for Vein Restoration, which has eight offices in Maryland. Lakhanpal's office uses radio frequency or laser treatments on the veins, depending on vein size and location. Vein stripping is effective, he said, but it's like "hitting a mosquito with a sledge hammer."
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
DVT Awareness
The NHS is beginning to take great strides in promoting awareness for
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). After years of scrutiny against the NHS neglect towards venous disease, the NHS is making leaflets outlining symptoms, treatments and procedures available to treat DVT and venous disease. A British man who lost his young daughter to DVT is hoping to raise awareness so people know to treat DVT immediately.
""I still feel that there is an ignorance among the medical profession with regards to just how serious DVT really is," said Mr McPherson. "It is our wish to raise the awareness level."
In fact, the Herald wrote a feature article about Mr. McPherson who lost his daughter, and praised the NHS's recent actions to fight against DVT and promote vein health.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Nicotine and Varicose Veins
For all you smokers trying to find another reason to quit puffing away, take this into consideration. Nicotine addiction may be a link to developing unwanted, ropy, painful and unattractive
varicose veins. Though reports are still in preliminary stages, the side-effects can be taken into consideration for quitting. Varicose veins are a serious ailment that may develop into Deep Vein Thrombosis, an even more serious problem provoked by lack of vein health and proper treatment of varicose veins.
Alongside the obvious negative affects of smoking, leg and vein health is an important health issue to take seriously - as millions of people worldwide are suffering from painful venous diseases. So this new years, make your resolution to stop smoking and taking better care of your veins.
