"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, March 23, 2009
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Varicose Veins: The 411
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Typically varicose veins and spider veins are thought of as aesthetic ailments, however bulging ropy uncomfortable varicose and spider veins are a much more serious problem than most perceive. The underlying issue with venous disease is it's possibility of turning into Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) a potentially serious health issue which is often times sparked from more minor problems. If you didn't think varicose veins were a serious health issue then take a read of this:
A Staten Island paper said, "Varicose veins occur when faulty valves allow blood to flow backward (venous reflux) and collect in leg veins causing them to enlarge. You may experience one or more of the following symptoms: pain; aching or cramping; heaviness; tiredness; burning or tingling sensations; swelling; throbbing, or tenderness around the vein(s). Venous reflux interferes with normal venous return of blood and eliminating the faulty vein(s) actually improves venous circulation as blood is diverted to normal veins with functional valves. The resulting improvement in venous circulation significantly relieves symptoms and improves appearance."
Clearly varicose veins are astronomically more serious than a simple cosmetic issue, which is why it's pertintent they be tended to by a vein expert.
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Thursday, March 19, 2009
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Get Insurance to Cover Vein Treatments
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For the 40 million Americans plagued with varicose and spider veins, some clinics around the nation offer removal treatments covered by insurance. Often times insurance companies consider venous disease as a purely aesthetic issue, however the disease can incite more serious ailments like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Unsightly, ropy, gnarled and uncomfortable veins are just a few symptoms and signs of the disease. In fact, for those of you Southern California residents, a Thousand Oaks clinic is offering laser removal treatments covered by healthcare. The clinic is called the Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute of Southern California.
In a faltering economy it may be beneficial to your time (away from work) and bank account if healthcare providers can help you in your removal endeavours. As sclerotherapy and Radio Frequency Occlusion (both of which are great removal techniques) can be quite costly to your budget. So if you are seeking out removal methods inquire with your physician and vein expert about insurance coverage.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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SIGVARIS Awarding People Wearing Compression Socks
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In lieu of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month, SIGVARIS a company that sells compression therapy socks is taking action to educate the public about the dangers of DVT. Their initiative is called Life for Legs Compression Therapy Contest, and SIGVARIS will be giving up to $5000 in compression therapy products for people who wear the socks and enlist in the contest.
PR Canada reported on the SIGVARIS press release, "The SIGVARIS Life for Legs contest will run from March 1 - May 31, 2009. Visit http://www.sigvarisusa.com to enter the contest or for more details. As part of the contest's DVT Awareness efforts, SIGVARIS North America is offering complimentary educational materials including a retail poster, a consumer brochure and an online video to help medical product retailers and health professionals advance consumer knowledge of graduated compression therapy in the treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis."
SIGVARIS alongside a number of other venous disease organizations keeps education and awareness as their main priority to prevent and treat varicose veins, DVT and other variations of venous disease. Vein health is vital to a healthy life, so SIGVARIS promotes and promulgates the use of compression socks during travel and prolonged hours of sitting and standing.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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It's all in the Hands
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Typically when we think of varicose veins and venous disease we associate it with legs, however many dermatologists are saying it's all in the hands. Our age is given away so quickly by the appearance of our hands. We use and abuse the poor things. Although for those of us dealing with hand and vein health issues, there has been much success from sclerotherapy removing spider and varicose veins from our hands.
MedIndia reported, "Sclerotherapy can help minimize prominent hand veins and significantly improve appearance of the hands," she added. Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure that permanently removes unwanted veins and is considered by dermatologists to be the gold standard for the treatment of spider veins. The procedure involves injecting a special sclerosing solution with a very fine needle into the blood vessel, which irreversibly alters the vessel wall and causes it to be absorbed by the body, so that it fully disappears over time."
Regardless of the location of the venous disease it is vital to vein health that we learn about the symptoms, treatments and removal methods for varicose and spider veins.
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Monday, March 16, 2009
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DVT Awareness Month in Limelight
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National DVT Awareness Month launched by the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein-Thrombosis have begun their campaign to educate the public about the dangers of DVT. The company's spokesperson is Melanie Bloom, widow of NBC news correspondent David Bloom who died of DVT related problems. March 10th was national screening day, so the group made serious ground with their RV that toured around the nation promoting DVT awareness and screening procedures.
MSNBC news said, "In the last five years, The Coalition has made great strides in raising awareness, including the recent success of a Call to Action on DVT and its primary complication, pulmonary embolism (PE), issued by the Office of the Surgeon General -- but more needs to be done."
If we begin to take action like this, more of the public will be aware of the treatments and symptoms related to DVT. We will hopefully have fewer DVT related deaths like David Bloom.
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
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Positive Feedback for DVT Awareness Month
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Promoting Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) awareness has been very successful during the month of March. Just today it was announced that the Premier Healthcare Alliance will launch and initiative awareness campaign. In doing so they will be holding a webconference focusing on prevention, treatment, risks, and symptoms.
Business Wire said, "Bill Zeruld, vice president, Premier Research Services, will moderate the session, entitled "Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prevention: From Quality to Safety,"
Educating the public about the dangers and risks associated with not treating DVT is vital to patients health. Venous disease is a huge problem negatively affecting millions of patients yearly. If you are keen to learn more and educate your family friends attend this webconference or simply read about DVT and promote vein health.
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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DVT Awareness Month making Strides
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Since March is Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month the Coalition to Prevent DVT is going on tour around the US to raise public awareness about the dangers, prevention methods and treatments of DVT. The group is hoping to encourage patients to increase dialogue with physicians and one another, to bring DVT and vein health into the forefront of medical agendas.
PR News released the report, "A customized recreational vehicle will visit hospitals and local communities nationwide during the Driving to Reduce the Risks of DVT tour, promoting the importance of having healthcare professionals risk assess patients for DVT. The RV's first stop will be at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on March 10, 2009. That date is significant because it marks National DVT Screening Day as declared in a resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives."
DVT is considered a public health crisis which sadly goes unmentioned by many healthcare providers and patients. Many patients are unaware of the risks associated with DVT and how to treat it properly and prevent it from spurring. This tour will hopefully bring DVT awareness into the limelight and thousands may have healthier veins.
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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Radiofrequency Ablation
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Radiofrequency ablation is now considered a kinder and easier to use technique for removing varicose veins. Many laser treatments for varicose veins are expensive and time consuming, which is why physicians are urging many patients to use radiofrequency procedures. Over 25 million people are adversely affected by varicose veins and spider veins, which is why a gentle and efficient procedure would alleviate much pain and time constraints with traditional removal methods.
MedPage News said, "In a randomized trial, pain and tenderness, skin discoloration from bleeding in the treated area, and quality of life significantly favored radiofrequency ablation in the first weeks after treatment, J. Andrew Williamson, M.D., of the Dotter Interventional Institute in Portland, and colleagues found. Radiofrequency treatment applies heat targeted directly at the vessel wall to contract collagen and damage the endothelium with delayed inflammation and fibrosis that closes the vessel."
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Monday, March 09, 2009
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Aging Hands calls for Vein Treatment
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For those of you plagued with wrinkling and aging hands sclerotherapy is now being used as a treatment method. Sclerotherapy is most notable for being used on spider and varicose veins. Although most dermatologists see patients for facial treatments, many do consider having work done on their hands. Hands can show a persons age quite quickly, which is why so many baby-boomers are seeking out such treatments.
The Thai-Indian reports, "Sclerotherapy can help minimize prominent hand veins and significantly improve appearance of the hands, she added. Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure that permanently removes unwanted veins and is considered by dermatologists to be the gold standard for the treatment of spider veins. The procedure involves injecting a special sclerosing solution with a very fine needle into the blood vessel, which irreversibly alters the vessel wall and causes it to be absorbed by the body, so that it fully disappears over time."
Another perk to sclerotherapy is the fact that it is considerably less expensive than laser treatments and likewise only takes 3-4 sessions each running for about 10-minutes for full removal.
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Thursday, March 05, 2009
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Long Flights, Double the Risk
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It is said that flights over four hours double the chances of cattle class passengers developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated in a study that over 6,000 people are at risk of DVT due to continuous long haul air travel.
A Canadian paper released the report saying, "The obese, women on birth control pills and those with blood clotting disorders are also more susceptible, as are frequent travellers and those who take very long journeys. Without regular muscle contractions, blood starts to pool in the legs and can create conditions for a clot, or thrombus, to develop in deep veins. Thrombosis can be symptom-free or trigger cramps, soreness and swelling in affected areas."
Although chances are still relatively low for healthy travellers, it may be a good idea to wear compression stockings during long flights. Keeping the blood flowing throughout a flight will significantly aid in prevention and maintaining vein health.
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