"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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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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You're so Vain
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Often times I read articles criticizing the work of vein experts, claiming that they like their beauty counterparts - dermatologists - are reaping the benefits of elective cosmetic procedures. However what these so called pundits fail to realize is that venous disease - varicose veins, spider veins and Deep Vein Thrombosis - are not only very serious health issues they are definitely not cosmetic based. You're so vain for thinking vein health issues are cosmetic related. Many patients unlucky enough to be plagued with ropy and painful varicose veins knows they seek out treatment not for cosmetic purposes but rather to ease and remedy their pain.
The cosmetic surgery and anti-aging dermatology industries may be taking a hit during the downturn, but vein health clinics still remain booming, because 40 million Americans have varicose veins and must treat their ailing legs promplty.
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Friday, February 06, 2009
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Bikram Yoga and Varicose Veins
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It has long been known that yoga has many benefits for preventing varicose veins and maintaining vein health. However, some yogi's are saying that Bikram Yoga may be the new hit craze for people looking to increase activity with the hopes of preventing gnarled and ropy varicose veins. Bikram Yoga is done in a hot sauna-like room. The Bikram lovers are saying that it is a great protocol for prevention.
So the next time you are doing that headstand or downward dog, keep in mind that you are helping your veins. Yoga and the heat are said to increase the blood flow through your veins. We develop venous disease when our blood flow is restricted and limited. So go to LuLu Lemon grab some yoga clothes, enroll in the best Bikram class and channel your inner yogi – all the while keep in mind you're taking care of legs and veins.
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Thursday, February 05, 2009
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DVT and Strokes
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Patients who have formerly suffered from a stroke are said to be at greater risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). DVT is when a blood clot forms in your veins and typically they target legs. The reason stroke patients may be at greater risk is because they are far less mobile than active healthy people. Strokes make it harder for you to move and exercise, two key factors in preventing DVT and other forms of venous disease.
The UK Guardian reported on strokes and DVT saying, "Studies suggest that about 5 percent of people who've had a stroke get a deep vein thrombosis that causes symptoms, but another 45 percent may have one without knowing it."
The article suggests that if you are recently recovering from a stroke, that you use compression stockings, walk around often and regularly drink fluids for it helps the blood flow properly through your body. Good hospital treatment post-stroke also helps your chances of preventing DVT.
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Wednesday, February 04, 2009
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Vein Health Conferences
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SIGVARIS and Simply You Boutique, the leading creators of compression stockings for varicose veins are trying to increase awareness about the dangers of venous disease and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). The company will be holding an awareness conference in Delaware this coming month.
The SIGVARIS press release says, "The Healthy Leg Day is being held to help men and women prevent or treat leg health issues such as swelling, varicose veins, lymphedema, DVTs or other venous disease symptoms that may appear during cancer treatment, pregnancy or other medical conditions.This Healthy Leg Day is designed to: Raise awareness of the causes of leg health issues such as swelling, varicose veins, lymphedema, or DVT [deep vein thrombosis]"
This call to action will hopefully serve Americans very well since millions are plagued with unattractive and painful varicose veins that may possible lead to DVT a more serious ailment. Attending conferences like this will not only facilitate people to get educated, but also be wary and aware of the available treatments and the symptoms of venous disease.
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Tuesday, February 03, 2009
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Men's Compression Socks
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SIGVARIS the world's leaders in compression socks for varicose veins – prevention and therapy – has released a new design for their popular men's ribbed sock. The classic ribbed sock will now feature a new top band and Microban antimicrobial protection to help prevent odor and bacterial issues. SIGVARIS socks are used by thousands worldwide for better vein and leg health.
Compression socks which are typically considered and dubbed as unattractive are now designed to look fit and resemble contemporary dress socks. For those of you frequent flier businessmen, these compression socks can aid in preventing ropy and unattractive varicose veins – which are typically induced from prolonged periods of standing and sitting – like on airplanes.
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Monday, February 02, 2009
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Frequent Flier
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Frequent flier miles may be great, but for those of you jet-setters you may be paying for more than you asked for. A few tips for those of you in long distance relationships or for those of you blessed enough to be traveling in the midst of this financial meltdown.
For the bicontinental lovers, it is important to travel right and bring compression socks. As goofy as they may be, clocking in long hours in cattle class will start dwindling your leg health and inciting varicose veins. Many frequent fliers find years later their minor varicose vein issues formulated into serious health risks like Deep Vein Thrombsis (DVT). Don't let your DVT get out of control. Also prior to departing on long voyages one should try yoga. Yoga is known to be a home remedy cure for venous disease.
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Friday, January 30, 2009
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Seat Change
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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.
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
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Venous Health Awareness on the Rise
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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.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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Injections for Varicose Veins
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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.
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Monday, January 19, 2009
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Technology May Help Prevent DVT
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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.
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