About Me

My photo
Blog author, Solai Buchanan is an experienced Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with an MS from Columbia Teachers College. She specializes in treating heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, polycystic ovarian syndrome,and other chronic diseases. She is a provider at a full-service cardiology practice accepting most insurance and staffed with a primary care MD, pediatrician, and cardiologist. Call: 718.894.7907. NYCC is lead by Interventional Cardiologist Sanjeev Palta, MD, FSCAI, FACC. He trained at Cornell-Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and the State University Hospital of Brooklyn. He currently is an Attending Cardiologist at New York Methodist Hospital and Maimonides Medical Center. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Having performed over 2000 invasive cardiac procedures Dr. Palta’s patients know they are in trusted hands.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

VARICOSE VEINS CAN BE A SIGN OF SERIOUS VASCULAR PROBLEMS


Varicose veins and their precursors, spider veins can signal serious vascular problems.  Full-blown varicose veins appear as twisted, enlarged veins close to the surface of the skin while milder varicose spider veins appear as sunbursts of small blue or red vessels near the surface of the skin.  Spider and varicose veins are often misunderstood as merely a cosmetic problem.  However, if left untreated, spider and varicose veins can progress to a more serious form of vein disease called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). 

Veins are the vessels that return blood to the heart from the body.  To keep the blood flowing up from extremities, and not back down, the veins contain one-way valves. Failure of  leg veins’ valves to hold blood against gravity leads to swelling in the lower legs and ankles, aching or tiredness in the legs, new varicose veins, leathery-looking skin on the legs, and/or flaking , itching, or ulceration on the skin of the legs or feet.

Varicose veins and vein valve damage is more likely among women, persons over 50, and persons with a personal or family history of leg clots (known as deep vein thrombosis).  Obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and sitting or standing for long periods have also been found to increase the risk of varicose veins and vein disease.  To prevent and reduce the progression of venous diseases try to maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking or quit if you already smoke, exercise regularly, and avoid long periods of standing or sitting.  Elevating your legs to the level of your heart when sitting or lying down as well as wearing compression stockings can also support  venous blood flow in the lower extremities.

It is estimated that more than 40 million Americans suffer from vein disease but less than 3% get treated.  Because varicose veins are a potential risk factor for vein disease, persons with varicose veins, should have their risk for CVI assessed and be treated when indicated.  A vascular ultrasound can examine the blood circulation in the legs.  Non-surgical treatments for existing varicose veins and spider veins include sclerotherapy in which an injection into the veins causes them to collapse and disappear and endovenous thermal ablation in which laser or high-frequency radio waves create intense local heat in the affected vein causing it to close.  For more severe cases, surgical venous stripping or ligation may be necessary.

What to do:  To maintain healthy veins in the legs aim for good cardiovascular health by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly.  Also, try to avoid long periods of sitting or standing.   If you are traveling or will be sitting for a long time, flex and extend your legs, feet, and ankles about 10 times every 30 minutes to keep the blood flowing in the leg veins. If you need to stand for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to sit down and elevate your feet.  If you are experiencing varicose veins or other symptoms of leg vein disease, discuss assessment and treatment options with your provider. 

Sources:  “Chronic venous insufficiency.” Vascular Web. Society for Vascular Surgery, Jan. 2011. Web. http://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/Pages/chronic-venous-insufficiency.aspx and Gloviczki P, Comerota A, Dalsing M, Eklof B, Gillespie D, Gloviczki, M, et al.  The care of patients with varicose veins and associated chronic venous diseases: Clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum. J Vasc Surg. 2011 May; 53(5 Suppl): 2S-48S.

1 comment:

  1. A successful effect is much more likely to treat the venous illness with a established record Phlebology in selecting an experienced section competent physician.
    varicose veins treatment Montana

    ReplyDelete