Archive for January, 2009

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Exercise regularly. Choose low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, rowing and swimming. Walking and jogging will help improve circulation in the legs. Exercise can also reduce the overall high blood pressure and strengthen the entire circulatory system.

Avoid prolonged standing. Try not to stand in one place for a long time because it can increases venous pressure in the legs and feet. Over time this pressure can weaken the blood vessel walls.

Maintain a healthy weight. Having too much weight can cause the entire circulatory system to work harder. Being overweight can put excess pressure on your legs. It is good to exercise regularly and develop healthy eating habits. This can reduce the risk of varicose veins.

Quit smoking. Smoking is bad for your health and can cause many health problems. High blood pressure is associated with smoking which can cause varicose veins.

Raise your legs. If you have to stand up for long periods, remember to take time to relax your legs. Improve circulation by elevating your legs up 6 to 12 inches above your heart when lying down. Doing this a few times a day will help the blood in the lower legs flow easily back to the heart. By taking some pressure off the legs it will help prevent blood from pooling in the veins. Be sure to stretch your legs if you have to sit for long periods. Rotate your ankles and flex your toes while you are sitting.

Check your wardrobe. Wear clothes that don’t constrict your waist, groin or legs. By avoiding tight-fitting clothes on your legs and around your waist it will improve circulation to your lower body. Wear comfortable shoes and avoid wearing high heels. The stress they put on your lower legs can cause a constriction in blood flow from the leg back to the heart. Also, make sure your shoes are properly fitted.

Sit up and stand up straight. Sit up straight and don’t cross your legs. Crossing your legs will slow the upward flow of blood back to the heart and increases the pressure on the insides of the leg veins. Good posture improves circulation and helps decrease pressure in your veins.

Avoid high-estrogen birth control pills. Long-term use of high-estrogen birth control pills have been shown to increase the risk of varicose veins by altering circulatory valve functioning.

Wear compression hose. If you’re developing varicose veins, try regularly using compression hose (support hose). These come in a variety of different compressions. The pressure in the stockings is graded and this allows for the stockings to constantly squeeze the leg muscles. This motion helps to drive blood back to the heart, reduce swelling in the feet and prevent blood clot formation.

To learn more about California Vein Specialists , search more topics and give us a call.

In the United States, about 2 million people per year develop deep vein thrombosis. Most of them are aged 40 years or older. Up to 600,000 are hospitalized each year for the condition. Deep vein thrombosis can lead to a more serious complication, blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism). Statistics reveal that at least 650,000 patients die each year from pulmonary embolism, making it the third most common cause of death in the United States.



To Learn more about DVT: schedule a consultation with Dr. Leary at California Vein Specialists 949.515.9377

EVLT stands for endovenous laser treatment. It is an effective method for getting rid of varicose veins, a condition caused when vein valves do not close correctly, thereby allowing blood to pool in the affected area. Veins begin to bulge as blood pushes against the vein walls. The result is painful, causing legs to ache and swell. In worse case scenarios, varicose veins can lead to unnecessary bleeding and eczema or ulceration.

Choosing EVLT

1. EVLT deals with the source of varicose veins without an invasive surgical procedure like ambulatory phlebectomy, ligation and stripping or sclerotherapy. It uses a fiber laser energy probe, guided by ultrasound, to deliver impulses to the affected area. It is highly effective, working 98 percent of the time.

Non-Eligibility for EVLT

2. Patients with heart disease or blood disorders may not be eligible for this procedure. Pregnant women are not immediate candidates either since, in many cases, temporary varicose veins disappear after pregnancy.

Before EVLT Begins

3. A physician evaluation, including a medical history, physical exam and ultrasound are required before EVLT. Additionally, most physicians want to approve post surgical compression hosiery at that time. Just before the procedure, patients are asked to shower with antibacterial soap.

What to Expect

4. EVLT is done out patient and takes less than thirty minutes The patient can usually drive themselves to the office and drive home. Only a local anesthetic is given before EVLT begins. Patients are also offered a pair of protective glasses to wear. Then, a small catheter is threaded into the vein entering usually from below the knee. The laser fiber is gently advanced through the catheter and, once in place, uses its energy to seal off the vein. Then the laser fiber is removed, the wound dressed, and compression hosiery applied. The procedure is very gentle, the only discomfort felt are a few pinches during local anesthetic administration. Our newer lasers are very gentle and patients experience very little or no pain after the procedure.

After EVLT

5. After the procedure, the patient must walk on a treadmill for roughly 15 minutes. Activity is encouraged following the procedure. Patients cannot remove compression hosiery for five days and are allowed to bath with the Compression hosiery left on. Restrictions may be imposed, such as heavy lifting over the head and from jogging. Patients are allowed to use a tread mill, and yoga and Pilates are ok. Painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be taken as needed, but usually are not needed. Sometimes mild stiffness and soreness are felt but usually should disappear within two weeks.

A second ultrasound may be performed at two weeks after EVLT and additional physician follow-up appointments will be made. Sclerotherapy if needed is usually started with in two weeks. Most of our patients are advised to come in for yearly ultrasound evaluations.