Archive for March, 2009

Causes of varicose veins

To understand the causes of  varicose veins it is important to review the basic function of veins and their basic physiology. 

Remember the heart is pumping blood through out the body to supply oxygen and other nutrients to the entire body, so the heart is pumping blood from the heart to the body parts.  The veins carry the used blood or unoxgenated blood back the heart.  The blood that is pumped back to the heart flows in these veins that act like one-way valves that keep the blood flowing toward the heart.  In the legs the calf muscle or musculovenous pump ejects 60 % of the blood in the legs every time the calf muscle contracts. The calf muscle is the primary mechanism that returns blood from the legs back to the heart. The veins returning blood from the legs have the toughest job of all the veins in the body because of the high pressure created by standing and because of the distance the blood has to be returned, and because of the force of gravity.  This makes theleg veins  the primary location of varicose veins and spider veins.

 

Heredity has a strong association with your chances of developing venous disease.  If both parents have venous disease you have about a ninety percent chance that you will have the same.  If you are female and you have one parent with venous disease, you have about a sixty percent chance of developing varicose veins .  If you are male with one parent affected, your chances are about twenty five percent. So women have more venous disease then men but men that are affected normally have more serious complications such as ulcers.  Other strong associations are increasing age, number of pregnancies, and living in an industrialized nation.

 

Obesity, diet, constipation, smoking diabetes hypertension has not been confirmed to have any relationship to the development of venous disease.

 

Learn more go to American College of Phlebology.

 

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

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Dear Dr. Leary and Staff at California Vein Specialists,

Happy New Year! I had EVLT last January 29 on my left leg. I have been more active this past year, attending "boot camps" and walking/running a lot. I have no more lumps, and the purple discoloration is miniscule!

YAY!!! As soon as I have time, I am coming in for spider vein treatment on my face and right leg.

Thank you, and the best to you all in 2009!

With Regard,
Christina Winegar

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Hello, 

 

 

I guess that I don't know where to start without boring you, so I'll be as brief as possible. I think of all the years that I have worn long skirts or pants; of going to the beach and not taking my sarong off to hide my legs. I have envied women wearing short skirts and not wearing black stockings to hide their legs as I often did. And I have been doing all of the above, since I was 23 years old.

 

 

When I heard your commercial on Air America Radio, I was curious, and looked California Vein Specialists on-line. I read Dr. Michael Leary's bio, was most impressed, and made an appointment for my consultation.

 

 

Your staff immediately made me feels welcome.  Dr. Leary gave me an ultra sound exam on my legs, explained what procedures would be done, and made me feel very much at ease.

 

 

The following procedures over the past few months have proved so successful, that my family and friends are amazed! My husband and children had never seen me without veins and are thrilled to see me wearing shorts and dresses that I would never have worn before.

 

 

I will never be able to thank you enough, for what you've done for me. I promise to "spread the Gospel" and become a missionary for California Vein Specialists. Maybe I can help other people to realize their dream as well, of VEIN - FREE LEGS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Thank you again,
Barbara de Leon

 

 

 

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Many laser centers offer laser treatments for spider veins, unfortunately laser treatments are not very effective for spider veins.  It is impossible to get to the feeding  veins that are actually causing the spider veins.  If you are fortunate to have success with laser, they usually return because the underlying cause was not addressed.

 Lasers are seldom as effective as injections for this reason.  Sclerotherapy, when performed properly, is still the gold standard for the treatment of spider veins.  Successful treatment requires expertise in the art of sclerotherapy, the correct diagnosis, and the correct treatment plan for the type and size of the  vein to be treated.  Even small  spider veins should be ruled out by duplex ultrasound before proceeding with sclerotherapy.  If not, high failure rates can be expected and complications such as matting, hyperpigmentation, and early recurrence can be expected.

If your doctor offers only laser therapy, be prepared for mediocre results.

 

 

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

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I have a lot of patients who come to California Vein Specialists with concerns and questions about problems with varicose veins during and after pregnancy.  Pregnancy is the most important risk factor for developing varicose veins in patients who are genetically predisposed to vein disease.   Varicose veins usually make their first appearance during pregnancy.  Population studies have shown that only 12% of women who have varicose veins have never been pregnant! There are many reasons pregnancy has an adverse effect on leg health.  Total body fluid increased 40 to 50 % and there is significant sodium retention.  This may cause edema (swelling) in the lower legs and ankles. 

Hormonal effects are responsible for the venous dilation that occurs during pregnancy.  High levels of the hormone progesterone weaken vein walls.  Estrogen causes veins to dilate. Relaxin also causes the veins to dilate. The enlarging uterus in pregnancy causes the large femoral veins to become obstructed.  This causes an increase in the venous pressures of the lower legs.

Pregnancy also a significant risk for superficial and deep venous blood clots.  Many coagulation factors are activated during pregnancy.  This hypercoagulable state may increase the risk of a blood clot, especially postpartum. This hypercoagulable state is caused by the increased blood volume, the enlarged uterus which obstructs venous return, and elevated hormonal levels that increase vein distensibility. So there are many changes in maternal anatomy, physiology and metabolism that contribute to the development of varicose veins and venous disease, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk.

Graded compression hose worn during pregnancy can reduce the pressure in your legs and the swelling.  It is a good idea to wear them when you are going to be standing for long periods or sitting for long periods.  Elevating your legs as much as possible is also helpful.  Graded compression hose also are proven to reduce the risk of blood clots so it should be worn before, during and immediately after delivery.  Early ambulation after delivery is also important to reduce your risk. If you have a history of blood clots or someone in your family has a history, you should have a thrombophilic risk work up.  This is a series of blood test to see if there are factors in your blood that make you more prone to clots. If you are found to be at risk there are steps that can be taken to reduce your risk. Exercise is important.  Any exercise that develops a good calf muscle is important.  Remember the calf muscle is the main pump that pumps blood through the veins. Walking, hiking, swimming and biking are all great for leg health during pregnancy. A lot of my patients are avid runners, I think it is important to wear compression hose if you plan to continue running during your pregnancy. This will help reduce the pressure in your legs and may help protect the valves.  Try to sleep on your left side.  The uterus compresses the pelvic veins and vena cava more when lying on your right side.   This in turn increases the venous pressure in your legs leading to more strain on the valves.

Leg treatments during pregnancy

In general leg vein treatments should be postponed until after the pregnancy and after you have completed breast feeding.  Hormonal changes may remain four to six months postpartum.  Many times the enlarged veins of pregnancy may become normal again after the hormonal influence has been reduced. Sclerotherapy solutions are very safe, but should not be administered during pregnancy or lactation.

Other vein problems after pregnancy

Pelvic obstruction may be a cause of vulvar varicosities.  This can occur in the third trimester.  Vulvar varicosities that remain after pregnancy may become quite painful, usually during menses or even intercourse.  They are easily treated with sclerotherapy, usually with complete resolution.

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

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California Vein Specialists have turned back the "hands" of time for 
me. It is a miracle that my hands look 10 years younger now. Dr. 
Leary has achieved success beyond my expectations in two sessions of 
vein therapy. My children would tell me how scary my hands were with 
all the veins popping out and now my hands are so much nicer!

Thank you Dr. Leary & California Vein Specialists!

Nancy G.

PS

Dr. Leary was so patient and kind through all the treatments...I 
have also had the veins in my legs treated with the laser procedure 
which was also a great success!

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 I have to tell you again that I'm absolutely thrilled with the work thatDr. Leary has done - I've had 4-5 sclerotherapy appointments with him and it's been terrific.  The difference is amazing - I'm definitely ready for summer!  When I was in this morning I told him that I wish I'd done this ages ago.  He is phenomenal and his work is wonderful. The entire team at California Vein Specialists is so warm, friendly and accommodating - I've already told friends and am encouraging them to call you so I hope they do!  I'll see you on the 27th!

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Vein, Vein, Go Away!

 

New advances in laser technology have brought about remarkable changes in the treatment of painful and unsightly varicose veins.  Unlike the painful surgical stripping methods, new treatments for varicose veins are essentially painless.  The minimally invasive techniques significantly reduce recovery time and post treatment scarring.  The  Endovenous laser procedure has proven to be the most effective treatment for varicose veins.  

 

 

 

"Now  endovenous laser offers my patients a more effective treatment.  The treatment is done here in the office. It takes less than an hour, and there's no general anesthesia.  They can drive themselves to the office and drive themselves home."    

 

 

 

At California Vein Specialists, Dr. Leary combines medical and cosmetic  venous procedures, providing patients with the total treatment package. "While some practitioners concentrate on venous disease, they don't follow through with the cosmetic element to help the patient's leg look normal again.  We do everything from improving the disease to completing the treatment by eliminating spider veins and treating other physical issues," says Dr. Leary.

 

 

 

 Dr. Leary  is happy to announce the availability of the new Biolitec 1470 ELves.  "I have experience with all the various lasers for performing the Endovenous Ablation of Varicose Veins, including radio frequency, The 810 DIODE Laser and the 940.  Biolitec's new 1470 is truly gentle compared to all the other technology.  My patients have very little, if any, post-op pain, and also very little bruising.  The new laser is fast, extremely effective, and incredibly gentle.  I feel this is the best technology on the market for treating venous disease."- Dr. Leary 

 

 

 

California Vein Specialist was the first office in Orange County to offer the new exciting technology.

 

 

 

 

                            

 

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Always check the credentials of the doctor you plan to visit.

 

Select a facility that specializes in phlebology (vein disorders). There are many facilities that claim to treat veins, but they do not have specialized training in phlebology. Avoid medical spas that offer vein treatments or other specialists that do occasional vein work to supplement their practice, make sure your doctor is a member of the American College of Phlebology.

 

The American Board of Phlebology

The American College of Phlebology is an organization dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of vein disorders, including cosmetic and the more serious disorders; such as phlebitis and ulceration.

 

The top credential a doctor can receive is becoming board certified. A doctor who achieves board certification has demonstrated extensive training and experience in the field.  The facility must provide a color flow duplex ultrasound that is mandatory for accurate diagnosis of vein disease.  Many times, a simple appearing superficial vein can be caused by an uderlying deeper vein. An ultrasound is needed for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

 

At California Vein Specialist, we use an ultrasound to diagnosis, treat, and later confirm the proper closure of vein that has occurred.

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