"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, July 27, 2009
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Dangers in Recovery
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Limited mobility is a major risk factor for developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis). When a person breaks or injures their leg, they are often put into a cast or splint. Although these devices may help heal the damaged bone, a person's risk of developing DVT significantly rises.
"To prevent serious complications, it is important to get back on your feet and move around again as soon as possible. If that is not possible, for example if putting strain on the leg too soon could slow down recovery, there are effective medications that can be used" states the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.
With a cast, the muscle is restricted from movement or contraction. Blood then moves much slower through the veins and can form clots. Anticoagulant medication can be prescribed to keep this from occurring, but should be monitored for reaction with other medications.
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Friday, July 24, 2009
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Pregnancy Veins
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Many women find that their vein problems worsen with pregnancy. It is common for women during pregnancy to develop varicose veins. During pregnancy, the woman's uterus grows and put extra pressure on the large vein down the right side of the body. As a result, added pressure is exerted on the leg veins. In addition, pregnancy increases the amount of blood in a woman's body. Veins have to work twice as hard to pump blood to all extremities. Luckily, it is common to have venous problems lessen dramatically after one gives birth.
Along with all the other changes to the body, varicose veins are an additional worry for many women. To help alleviate worries, there are many things that pregnant women can do to lower their risk of venous complications. Pregnant women are advised to exercise regularly to ensure proper blood flow through the body. Elevating your legs also helps with a pillow or stool when you sit down. Lastly, wearing support hose can help keep circulation flowing in your legs, especially if they swell during the final months of pregnancy.
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
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Bad Veins in the Workplace
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You may go to work everyday without realizing that you may be causing damage to your veins. In the corporate world, employees spend eight hours of more sitting at a computer desk. This limits your range of motion and often restricts blood flow to your lower extremities. Although this may keep employees productive, sitting for an extended period of time is harmful to your veins.
In order to combat this problem, make sure to stand up and walk around every few hours. Maybe even take a walk around the office on your break. If you are unable to walk around, try to flex your calves on the hour. Employees should utilize their muscles while at their desk. By contracting your calf muscles, you are allowing blood to freely flow through your veins. Blood that clots in your veins could lead to serious complications, such as deep vein thrombosis. Be aware of the signals your body gives you and remember to stretch often.
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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Tips for your Veins
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Patients looking to diminish the look of spider and varicose veins may confused with the mass amount of information available. ABC 7 recently released some basic tips on venous disease prevention.
Listening to your body is very important when assessing the need to see a physician. Spider veins may seem like just a cosmetic concern, but a much more serious condition may develop if patients are not aware of the risks. It is important to stay active and to use your legs as much as possible to keep your venous system healthy. Exercise will also help patients maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight leads to unneeded pressure on your leg veins.
Lastly, patients should be aware of pressure exerted on their legs. Compression stockings help maintain equal pressure throughout the leg. This keeps blood flowing and does not limit blood flow to one area. Although not needed every day, compression stockings are helpful on long trips where you may be standing or sitting for a long period of time
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
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Risk of SVT to DVT
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Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) is a treatable condition where varicose veins become swollen or painful. However, an Australian study found that a quarter of patients who were diagnosed with SVT also had DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a much more serious condition.
"I think it's a good idea for anybody with superficial vein thrombosis to undergo routine ultrasound screening of the deep veins of their legs to exclude this very, very serious diagnosis" suggested the associate director of surgery of Mount Sinai School of Medicine to AJC News.
SVT can be seen on the skin's surface and is treatable by physicians. An ultrasound can help detect a larger problem that hides in the deeper veins. Without treatment, DVT can result in pulmonary embolism, post-thrombotic syndrome, or even a loss of a leg.
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Monday, July 20, 2009
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Inherited Veins
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People inherit a variety of different traits from their parents and grandparents. Their genes provide part of the genetic code that you are formed with. But what about genetic traits that you do not want to inherit? Varicose veins, unfortunately, have been shown to be an inherited trait that typically develops between ages 30 to 50.
"Heredity plays a huge role in the development of varicose veins. Most people who have varicose veins inherited them from their parents or grandparents" says Dr. Reese, a vascular surgeon who recently answered a Q&A to News-Leader.
If your family has a history of varicose veins, you should be aware of the risk factors. Changes in your lifestyle may decrease your risk for varicose veins and may also help decrease symptoms.
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Friday, July 17, 2009
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VTE and Pancreatic Cancer
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Patients undergoing chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer are at risk for development of symptomatic venous thromboembolism. However, a new study has found that the drug enoxaparin may reduce this risk and help save patients from this disease.
"The low–molecular-weight heparin enoxaparin can be applied safely on an outpatient basis. It significantly and clinically relevantly reduced the rate of symptomatic thromboembolism rates, and this effect is maintained even after dose reduction of enoxaparin after three months" explained the study leader to HemOnc Today, a leading news source for oncology and hematology.
Chemotherapy increases the risk of VTE six fold in pancreatic cancer patients. Scientists hope to use this new drug to lower the risk. The drug is safe to administer to patients without hospital supervision and the dosage can even be decreased over time. The test is still in the early stages and more conclusive results still need to be verified.
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Thursday, July 16, 2009
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Treating Hemorrhoids Naturally
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Hemorrhoids are actually varicose veins in the rectum or near the anus that have become swollen. These become uncomfortable, itchy, and sometimes painful. Hemorrhoids often form in those who sit for long periods of time, are pregnant, have hormonal changes, or deal with constant constipation.
The Examiner investigated new natural ways to help alleviate the pain associated with hemorrhoids. The first involves increasing your fiber intake for your diet, which relieves constipation. Foods high in fiber include nuts, beans, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Nutritional supplements for fiber are also helpful.
They also suggest topical treatments to help alleviate pain and reduce swelling. These are to be applied 3 to 4 times a day for best results. Topical treatments include aloe vera, st. john's wort, and witch hazel.
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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Leg Veins and Heart Surgery
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A recent study found that using endoscopic techniques to remove leg veins prior to heart bypass surgery may cause more harm to patients later on. In contrast to open harvesting, where physicians make an incision down the leg, endoscopic procedures are less painful and have less scarring. However, a new study found that this type of technique may cause more damage to the veins and lead to a 52% higher risk of death in the years after heart bypass surgery.
"Open harvesting, though more invasive and associated with more wound complications, may be less traumatic to the vein and could result in a better conduit" described Reuters.
Veins removed endoscopically were found to be at a high risk for clotting after the heart surgery, leading to the danger for a heart attack. In conclusion, doctors need to be aware that new procedures may not necessarily be best in all situations. Physicians need to discuss risks with patients prior to such large surgeries and warn them of these dangers.
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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Dangerous High Heels
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Ladies, next time you go shopping for the next pair of Jimmy Choos or Manolo Blahniks, take caution. High heels have proven to increase your risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). Remember that the hundreds of dollars you spend on shoes may be costing you more in the long run. Procedures to cure venous disease can range of upward to thousands of dollars without insurance.
To protect your vein health, women are suggested to wear lower heel shoes with less than 1.5 inch lift. Flats are preferable, but a small heel will cause less pressure on your legs and veins. With a high heel, the calf muscle is not effectively pumping blood out of the leg. If your calf muscle is not able to contract when you walk, then the heel you are wearing may put you at risk.
Do not be alarmed, wearing high heels on occasion is not going to be harmful to your health. If you have proven to be of high risk for venous disease, limit the time you wear high heels to one or two days a week at most.
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