"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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Thursday, May 14, 2009
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Thinners and Blood Clot Risks
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Nearly 1 million Americans suffer from Deep Vein Thrombosis or pulmonary
embolisms each year, many of which have resulted in death. DVT is a serious
problem that should be treated appropriately and immediately. Generally DVT
is found in people dealing with cancer, trauma, surgery or stroke. Risk
factors are heightened with patients over the age of 50 and those of which
that smoke. Because the risk factors vary and are considerably common,
physicians urge people to become aware of the treatments and preventative
methods availble for DVT.
The Baltimore Sun reported on blood thinners and DVT saying, "DVT is usually
treated with blood thinners that prevent the clot from growing and allow the
body's own clot-busting machinery to dissolve the clot slowly. Initial
treatment of a clot usually involves giving heparin by vein or under the
skin. These medicines work quickly."
For people constantly dealing with long-haul travel, it may be a wise
decision to invest in compression socks with hopes of increasing blood flow
in the veins and preventing DVT from occuring more quickly or dramatically.
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Monday, May 11, 2009
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Covidien Spreading
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Covidien Ltd has reported to the Associated Press that it plans to purchase
VNUS Medical Technologies for $440 million which Covidien believes will be
completed by the end of June. The varicose vein and venous disease industry
is said to be dramatically increasing as minimally invasive techniques and
procedures become more innovative, effective and cost efficient.
Forbes reported on the purchase saying, "San Jose, Calif.-based VNUS makes
products that treat varicose veins and venous reflux disease, a circulatory
condition that causes blood to pool in the veins of the leg. That can cause
swollen veins and discolored skin. Covidien said it is expanding its
vascular business by buying VNUS, and it will make VNUS part of its vascular
product line."
Similarly, VNUS is considered to be one of the most reputable firms in the
industry of varicose vein removal. As the industry begins to spread and
grow, many advocates for prevention hope that awareness about the diseases
and treatments will also boost.
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Friday, May 08, 2009
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DVT Bus Making Rounds
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In light of the recent focus and headlines about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT),
the Coalition to Prevent DVT has organized a bus to travel around the US
providing people with risk assessments for venous disease as well as
offering information about treatments, symptoms and prevention methods.
National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia (NATT) said, "There is a
special presentation beginning at 11:30am. Melanie Bloom, former NBC
correspondent David Bloom's wife, and Dr. Mark Reding, Assistant Professor
and Director of the Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders, will
discuss DVT and share personal experiences. This event is in collaboration
with the Coalition to Prevent DVT, the University of Minnesota Medical
Center and the National Alliance for Thrombosis & Thrombophilia."
Hundreds of thousands of people in the US die each year from DVT related
health issues, NATT coupled with advocates like Melanie Bloom are hoping to
raise awareness and education about venous disease as well as provide the
public with information about available treatments of not only DVT, but
varicose and spider veins as well.
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Thursday, May 07, 2009
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Spreading Awareness and Help
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In general the style of varicose and spider veins that physicians in the US
see staunchly differ from that of some second and third world countries
where patients lack the awareness and treatments we have readily
accessible. Dr. Garth Rosenberg took his vascular surgery expertise
overseas to Honduras where he donated tools, taught techniques and gave
treatments to many people plagued with some of the worst cases of venous
disease.
Dr. Rosenberg said to the Frederick News, "Working through the
Wisconsin-based Hackett-Hemwall Foundation, Rosenberg and 23 other vascular
surgeons provided free treatment of varicose veins to 1,500 Hondurans at
three sites. Rosenberg was stationed in Tela, a town on the country's
northern coast. The varicose veins Rosenberg treated in Honduras are not the
cosmetic spider veins some may think of, he said."These are severe,
end-stage venous diseases that need significant attention," he said."
Rosenberg an his colleagues did not implement the same treatments we use in
the US, rather they used injections to compress the veins inciting the body
to redirect blood flow. Although Rosenberg said he is proud of the
awareness and treatment he spread in Honduras, he said he hopes to bring
more, because currently such treatments take weeks of recovery with
compression socks and also he only visits once a year.
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Thursday, May 07, 2009
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Urine Test Finding DVT
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A high level of the protein albumin that is found in urine tests may
indicate increased risks of developing vein clots including Deep Vein
Thrombosis (DVT). This research has come out on the wake of DVT making
headlines. DVT news had been all over the news from DVT awareness month to
the dangers associated with long haul flights. For people who are high risk
patients, especially those with varicose veins should consider taking
precautions like compression socks or even urine tests to assess their
risks.
AJC Media Solutions reported on the study saying, "Tests to detect albumin
and other proteins in the urine now are commonly done to help assess the
risk of problems caused by damage to the arteries, which carry blood from
the heart. Those tests now generally are done in people in people known to
be at risk because of conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure.
Those conditions can reduce the function of kidneys, which remove proteins
from the blood. This latest study indicates that such a urine test could
also help assess the risk of problems in the veins, which carry blood back
to the heart, said Dr. Ron T. Gansevoort, an associate professor of
nephrology at Groningen, who oversaw the research."
This may be a huge step forward for the field of vein health because there
are currently no tests that check for DVT, only instead high risk patients
that end up with the symptoms and thus get treated.
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Thursday, May 07, 2009
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Dermatology Clinics Keeping Abreast with Venous Disease
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Dermatology clinics are starting to jump on the vein health bandwagon. In a
constantly evolving industry with constant revamps and new treatments for
varicose, spider veins and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), dermatologists are
now being trained to treat such ailments. The industry is quite lucrative,
especially since many of these procedures are not covered by insurance,
generally the procedures that are covered by insurance are invasive surgical
stripping.
Some reports have been released about clinics around the nation opening up
vein health arms, or bringing in tools and teaching the techniques of
removal and laser treatment to staff. The industry of vein health has also
come to the forefront of many in the medical industry as the potential for
profit and innovative tools has blossomed dramatically. Some industry
observers say by 2013 the industry of vein health will be at it's peak.
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Thursday, May 07, 2009
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Natural Varicose Vein Remedies
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Clearly, varicose veins are a nuisance: from discomfort to aesthetics, they
plague millions of people each year. Generally the first form of treatment
is invasive or rather minimally invasive procedures which are efficient and
effective at removing the gnarled veins. However, prior to jumping on board
the surgical path, there are a number of home remedies available to ease the
pain or aid in remedying the varicose veins.
Personal Liberty News wrote about natural remedies saying, "In particular,
moderate muscle-toning exercise or yoga help veins preserve their natural
shape, while the cholesterol-lowering effects of exercise may act to boost
vein health from within. Herbal supplements, such as horse chestnut extract
are also commonly used to treat varicose veins. Studies have shown the
active component in horse chestnut called aescin appears to block the
release of enzymes that damage capillary walls, according to the alternative
health section of About.com, an informational website."
Similarly, a number of holistic websites say that eating an ample supply of
antioxidants, buckwheat, fruit are great preventative remedies. While
avoiding heavy consumption of red meats, salt, alcohol and cheese is a wise
choice. So perhaps prior to undergoing surgical treatments, stick to home
remedies and see if a healthy lifestyle will promote healthy veins.
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Friday, May 01, 2009
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Insurance and Venous Disease
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For years now there has been a dispute and controversy over why varicose
veins and spider veins are not covered by insurance. For patients suffering
from severe cases of varicose veins, those turning into Deep Vein
Thrombosis, may have removal treatments covered, by why not those of us
opting for treatment for cosmetic reasons? After all, even if it is
cosmetic, venous disease is still an ailment that can lead to more serious
health problems.
Some would argue if the government was able to provide hundreds of thousands
of dollars for tattoo removal programs, why not provide funding for venous
disease treatment? Though it should be noted that sclerotherapy and some
stripping techniques are actually covered by insurance if the varicose and
spider veins are considered a health hazard by physicians. Hopefully soon
the dispute ends and insurance companies will cover all costs.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
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Venous Disease Research Awards
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The Venous Disease Coalition is making great strides in bringing vein health
to the forefront of news and research. In fact the group has organized an
awards for best venous disease research (this includes, varicose veins,
spider veins, Deep Vein Thrombosis and other ailments regarding vein
health).
Smart Brief released the news saying, "The Venous Disease Coalition has
announced its first annual Venous Disease Research Awards celebrating the
best published research contributing to the understanding and treatment of
venous disease. We encourage you to nominate venous research published
between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009. The awards will be made at the
Vascular Disease Foundation's dinner Sept. 16."
Many physicians say that the key to preventing venous disease is education
and awareness. So programs like this and groups like the coalition
significantly aid in educating the public about the risks, symptoms and
treatments available.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
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Minimally Invasive Procedures Set to Expand Globally
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The United States and other western counterparts have been very successful
in implementing minimally invasive varicose vein removal procedures. From
laser treatments to radiofrequency occlusion, the market has significantly
expanded over the years. However, some are saying that the industry is
likely to grow in areas that require less-costly and time consuming
treatments like in Brazil.
PR News Wire discussed the possible increase, "The varicose vein treatment
device market in the country, widely considered to be one of the most
aesthetically-conscious in the world, is limited primarily by the Brazilian
universal public health system, which provides reimbursement for surgical
vein removal (stripping) procedures but not for more advanced, minimally
invasive procedures such as endovenous ablation and sclerotherapy. As a
result, patients must pay for these treatments out-of-pocket. Nevertheless,
procedure volumes for these minimally invasive alternatives will increase by
approximately 10% annually from 2009 to 2013 due to growing patient demand
for the superior cosmetic results and reduced postoperative pain associated
with these therapies."
Surgical stripping has long been considered the go-to for venous disease
treatment in many parts of the world. However, as people become more
aesthetically driven and the tools and techniques become readily available
in less privileged countries, it may boom as it did in the US.
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