Cause and Prevention of Common Vein Conditions

Cause and Prevention of Common Vein Conditions

Apr 19, 2019 | Prevention of Vein Conditions, Spider Veins, Varicose Veins, Vein Conditions

Unsightly veins on your legs may be trying to tell you something, but what? If you’ve seen the appearance of bulging veins or blood vessels on your skin, you may have a vein condition. Understanding the cause and prevention of common vein conditions is the best way to get started reclaiming control over them. Don’t let the pain in your legs take over your life. Get to the root of the problem and learn how to maintain healthy circulation!

What Causes Vein Conditions?

We all know there are various vein conditions that can add discomfort and displeasure to your life. It is important to know what causes these problems and how to prevent veins from popping out. To understand how it happens we’ll have to first understand the role of veins and what they do. Our veins carry blood to the heart which replenishes our bodies with oxygen. The blood supply is then recirculated to all our vital organs, muscles, and tissue. Veins play a crucial role in distributing our blood through a channel of tiny blood vessels. Furthermore, they send blood to the heart where the process of filtration continues. The bulging or popping out of veins can be caused by various reasons, including problems with the valves of the vein.  These bulging veins can prevent the proper flow of blood and result in leaking in the lower part of the vein rather than continuous flow towards the heart. Built up pressure in the veins can also cause them to dilate and contort, leading to more curvature where they should be straight. In medical terms, veins that pop out are typically classified and diagnosed as varicose veins or spider veins.

Understanding Different Vein Conditions

There is a lack of proper information about various vein conditions, symptoms, and causes in people. Understanding vein conditions can save you from needless pain, discomfort, or a lack of confidence.

Three Types of Vein Conditions

  • Varicose Veins
  • Spider veins
  • Reticular veins

What are Varicose Veins?

This type of vein condition is often painful. Varicose veins are clearly visible as they are usually bulging or bumpy veins in the lower extremities, and often have a rope-like appearance. This may occur anywhere in the leg. Most people have it in the back of their calf or the inside of the leg.

Symptom and Causes:

Symptoms of varicose veins include pain in the leg, cramping, continuous fatigue or heaviness in the legs. Other symptoms include swelling in the ankles, restlessness and in more severe cases, blisters and ulcers. There are many factors that can raise the risks of varicose veins according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Some of these include family factors such as their history, age, chronic problems, pregnancy, obesity, and lifestyle. People in certain jobs or occupations may develop this condition as well, particularly those who sit/stand for a prolonged period. Varicose veins can be extremely disrupting as it may limit or impair a person’s movement which can affect their quality of life.

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are often a tangled group of blood vessels that bear a close resemblance to a spider web. The formation of the group of veins just under the skin is usually red, purple or blue in color and is clearly visible on the thighs, legs, and face.

Symptom and Causes:

Spider veins may cause itching, burning and even severe discomfort and pain. But, for many people there may be no symptoms present aside from the appearance of veins. Just like in varicose veins, spider veins are also caused by a common medical condition which is known as venous insufficiency. As discussed previously, our veins carry blood from our body tissues to the heart. Our hearts then replenish the blood supply with oxygen and re-circulate it throughout the body. This is made possible with the help of tiny one-way valves.  Each vein has microvalves and with every pump of the heart, our blood flows through a series of them in the veins. This is to help the blood flow travel upward from our legs as it returns to the heart. When these valves fail or leak, the blood collects in this region causing the veins to form a spider web-like appearance.

What Are Reticular Veins?

Reticular veins are sometimes called feeder veins or blue veins. It occurs when veins become dilated, causing blood to flow backward. This creates an increase in pressure leading to enlarged veins. The veins become twisted and can often bulge and look unattractive as they make blue or green lines appear under the skin. Reticular veins can take on a marbled appearance.

Symptom and Causes:

Reticular veins are very common, affecting about 80% of adults and can be caused by hormone imbalances, weak veins, or as a result of certain genetic factors. It also depends on weight, UV skin damage, and occupations which require a lot of time spent sitting or standing.

Prevention

Now that we understand the causes and symptoms of vein conditions, here are some tips to help prevent varicose veins and related symptoms.

  • Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength, however, do not overdo it. Exercise should be done in a disciplined manner. Overexerting yourself may put extra pressure on the veins and can cause muscle pain.
  • Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs. Excessive weight puts a lot of pressure on the veins and can promote venous disease, damaging the veins and cause them to pop out.
  • Eat healthy food and maintain a good diet. Adding fruits, vegetables, and vital nutrients can help improve circulation and keep veins healthy.
  • Take proper care of your body and skin, maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle and consult a doctor if you feel any leg pain, discomfort, uneasiness or restlessness in your legs.
  • Embrace a healthy lifestyle, get rid of unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking or eating too much junk food.
  • Do not cross your legs when sitting and try to elevate your legs when resting
  • Do not stand for long periods of time

By taking these preventive measures, you can not only maintain healthy circulation and veins but also improve the overall health of your skin and vascular system.

Book an appointment with us or call to know more!

Here, at NJVVC we offer you expert diagnosis and treatment of various venous diseases. We are equipped with the latest and most advanced technologies for quick diagnosis and effective treatment. We achieve high-quality care for our patients through minimally invasive procedures and therapies, restoring patients to their ideal lifestyle. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment!
The Venous Ultrasound: How It Works

The Venous Ultrasound: How It Works

Apr 19, 2019 | Vein Conditions, Vein Treatments

Medical technology has revolutionized the world of healthcare. Every day, new discoveries and practices are being implemented that result in better diagnoses, treatments, and overall patient experience. The use of ultrasound is a very common and risk-free tool that is often used throughout the stages of venous diagnoses and treatment.

What Is a Venous Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is nothing more than sound vibrations that are used to create a visual image. One of the most common uses for ultrasound is during pregnancy examinations, although it can also be used to look at a vast array of structures within the body.

During a venous ultrasound, a probe is placed externally on the skin and emits sound waves. When the sound waves encounter objects, they send a signal back to the probe, which is connected to a computer. The computer then composes an image which can provide substantial information about function, structure, and movement of soft tissues and organs.

Some ultrasound scans are brief and only last 10-15 minutes, while others can be about 30-45 minutes long, depending on the nature of the exam.

Ultrasound is completely non-invasive and provides real-time imagery and information. In addition, there is no radiation exposure, unlike x-rays or CT scans. They are widely accessible at many clinics and offices and are often lower-cost than other diagnostics.  They’re usually covered by most insurance plans.

How Is Ultrasound Used to Treat Vein Conditions?

Because most vein conditions involve insufficient blood flow, ultrasound is used first to determine which veins are compromised and if there are any identifiable blood clots. Once your doctor has identified the damaged valves and route of the abnormal circulation, there are several procedures that can be used to improve the appearance and relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of afflicted veins.

All the treatments provided at the New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center involve ultrasound guidance. This means that while conducting laser therapy or placing catheters, your doctor will always have a clear visual representation of your venous structures. And highly invasive surgery is unnecessary.

The aid of an ultrasound ensures that your procedure requires minimal recovery time and can be performed quickly and safely. There are no known harmful side effects or complications that occur from utilizing an ultrasound. It is one of the safest medical practices used at medical facilities around the world.

Contact Us

At The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center, we are proud to offer the most advanced and safest procedures and diagnostics for all our patients. Our high standard of patient care, industry expertise, and cutting-edge treatments ensure that you have the best chance for positive and lasting results. If you have any questions or would like more information on the services we provide, please contact us.

The Benefits of Compression Stockings

The Benefits of Compression Stockings

Jan 19, 2019 | Prevention of Vein Conditions, Vein Treatments

The thought of wearing compression stockings may conjure up the image of a grandma with rolled down, knee-high flesh-colored socks. However, compression stockings provide many benefits not only for the “young-at-heart” but for all ages. To truly appreciate the benefits of compression stockings, you must first understand what they do.

How Do Compression Stockings Work?

Your heart’s function is to pump blood through the arteries providing your entire body with constant blood flow. This delivers oxygen and other nutrients to your organs. Veins, on the other hand, bring blood back towards the heart. But, working against gravity can prove difficult for veins which is why compression stockings are helpful. If the small valves inside leg veins become less effective, blood may begin pooling in the lower legs, which can cause pain, swelling, and varicose veins.

Compression socks or stockings use pressure to help push the blood out of your legs by squeezing leg tissue and widening the walls of your veins, therefore assisting with circulation. To circumvent the painful and unsightly side effects, consider using compression stockings in the following situations.

1. Sitting All Day at Work

Your calf acts as a pump during movement and allows for blood flow back to your heart. If you’re sitting all day, your calf muscles are moving very little which can cause the pooling of blood in your legs. If you sit at a desk, sit on your couch, or even sit on your riding mower all day long as a landscaper, consider wearing compression stockings while at work.

2. Standing for Long Periods of Time

While movement encourages more blood flow by using the calf muscle, standing for long periods of time reduces the effectiveness of utilizing said muscle. When people stand for hours at a time veins constrict making it difficult for blood, to leave the lower half of the body. Circulation may diminish and cause excessive discomfort.  Trade workers, retail employees, and hospitality staff who wear compression stockings have more energy and less leg fatigue at the end of their shift. 

3. Exercising and Playing Sports

According to several studies, wearing compression socks while exercising and playing sports can reduce leg muscle soreness, as well as lessen the post-recovery period. So, don’t skip out on that next 5k or even leg day at the gym. Utilize compression stockings to train harder, feel stronger, and fight muscle fatigue.

4. Traveling

Spending long hours on an airplane or in a car can have the same effect as sitting at a desk all day. Prolonged sitting on a plane increases your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, also known as blood clots. Wearing compression stockings while traveling can prevent this risk. Your legs will feel ready to go upon landing at your travel destination.

How To Choose Compression Stockings

Compression stockings come in different strengths: low pressure, medium-low pressure, and medium pressure. The medium-low and medium pressure stockings are usually reserved for medical reasons, but low-pressure stockings have become quite fashionable and can be found at various retail locations.

When choosing the correct stocking for you, keep in mind that it should fit snugly around your ankle with the pressure tapering off towards the top of the stocking. If you have been experiencing soreness, fatigue or tingling in your legs it is best to consult with a doctor to find compression stockings that will work best for you. These symptoms may need to be addressed with medication or an outpatient procedure in addition to compression socks.

With such a large variety of styles and materials, there’s no longer a reason NOT to wear compression stockings. Whether you are sitting, standing or running around all day, compression stockings will help keep your circulation flowing.

For more information about compression stockings and to find out if your insurance will pay for them, contact NJVVC today!

7 Myths about Varicose Veins

7 Myths about Varicose Veins

Dec 18, 2018 | Varicose Veins, Vein Treatments

Varicose Veins are unsightly enlarged and gnarled veins that you often see on the legs and feet. The reality is that any vein in the body can be affected. They’re most common in the lower body because those veins deal with the most stress in our day to day lives. Despite varicose veins being relatively common, affecting as many as 30 million people in the United States alone, there are still many untruths about them. The following are 7 myths about varicose veins to be aware of:

Myth 1 – Varicose Veins are Just a Cosmetic Issue

While varicose veins may not be pretty to look at they aren’t just a cosmetic problem and come with health risks. Varicose Veins, when left untreated, can lead to simple symptoms like itching and cramping as well as more dangerous conditions like bleeding, ulcers, and deep vein thrombosis.

Myth 2 – Insurance Won’t Cover Varicose Vein Treatment

Varicose veins are a serious condition that impact your circulatory system.  Most diagnostic procedures for this condition will include ultrasound imaging to determine how and where a patient’s venous insufficiency is occurring and how severe the condition is.  Depending on your individual symptoms, many health insurance plans do provide coverage for treatment.  Some health insurance providers will cover treatment of varicose veins with symptoms that include; swollen and painful veins, discoloration, ulceration, leg heaviness and weakness. Health insurance coverage for varicose vein treatment is always determined on a case-by-case basis.  A vein specialist can diagnose your condition using a venous ultrasound procedure that is covered by most insurance plans.  If you can prove that your varicose veins are negatively impacting your health your insurance may cover treatment. 

Myth 3 – Varicose Vein Treatment is Painful

The original method of treatment was “vein stripping,” removal of the damaged vein through an incision. This treatment requires anesthetic and a long and typically painful recovery time due to its invasive nature. Modern treatments are minimally invasive and are quick enough to be done during a lunch break with little to no downtime.

Myth 4 – Recovering from Varicose Vein Treatment is Difficult

Thanks to advancements in medicine, many outpatient treatment options are available. These options can take as little as 20 minutes, don’t require anesthesia, and will have you back to your regularly scheduled lifestyle reasonably quickly. The only recommendation is that patients avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for a day or so. 

Myth 5 – Only Women are at Risk for Varicose Veins

Although varicose veins are more common in women, men are also at risk. According to the American Society for Vascular Surgery, at least 20 to 25 million American have varicose veins. With 33% of women and 17% of men having been diagnosed.

Myth 6 – You Can Always See Varicose Veins

While the unattractive veins on the surface are the ones that cause distress for most people due to their appearance, varicose veins aren’t always visible. For people who have a lot of fatty tissue between their skin and muscle, the veins may be completely invisible. Even if you have visible varicose veins, the ones you see on the surface might only be a small window into a bigger problem.

Myth 7 – Varicose Veins Always Come Back After Treatment

When you successfully treat varicose veins, they are gone for good, but that doesn’t mean that other veins won’t pop up. You should work towards implementing changes that help keep them at bay. These include maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, adding compression socks to your wardrobe, and getting enough rest to give your vascular system a boost. 

Venous insufficiency is a health issue that shouldn’t be ignored. If you notice you are suffering from varicose veins be sure to contact a specialist to discuss the treatment options that would best work for you.

Everything You Need to Know About DVTs: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Everything You Need to Know About DVTs: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Oct 18, 2018 | Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Vein Conditions

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is a serious condition that can be life threatening. It’s important to be aware of the signs, symptoms, and treatment to detect it quickly and seek help. Here is everything you need to know about DVTs:

What is a DVT?

Though you may not have heard of a DVT, you’ve very likely heard of a blood clot and the dangers associated with blockages in your veins or arteries. Blood clots are classified, in part, based on their locations.

A DVT, short for Deep Vein Thrombosis, is what happens when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in your body—most commonly, in your legs. DVTs can be both painful and dangerous.

The most dangerous complication that can arise from a DVT is a pulmonary embolism. This occurs if the blood clot dislodges itself from your deep vein and moves to block your lungs.

A shifted clot could also cause a heart attack or stroke. Because of these serious potential complications, it’s important to seek care immediately if you suspect you or a loved one may have a DVT.

Who is at Risk for a DVT?

Although anyone can get a DVT, certain people are more at risk for a DVT than others. Those most at risk for a DVT include:

  • Adults over the age of 50
  • Anyone recovering from a recent surgery
  • Pregnant women and those taking hormonal birth controls
  • Anyone with blood clotting disorders such as Factor V Deficiency
  • People leading a sedentary lifestyle
  • Individuals with a family history of a DVT
  • Heavy smokers

How Do You Prevent a DVT?

Staying active is the best way to prevent a DVT. Be sure to get up and move around regularly and avoid sitting for several hours at a time.

Losing weight, giving up smoking, and watching your blood pressure are all great additional ways to lower your odds of having a DVT in your lifetime.

If you are at high risk for a DVT based on previous personal or family history, blood clotting disorders, or surgery, your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner to help prevent a DVT. Taking this medication as prescribed is an important step to avoiding the complication of a DVT.

What Are the Symptoms of a DVT?

Sharp, debilitating pain in the leg, ankle, or foot is usually the first and most pronounced symptom of a DVT. This pain may be accompanied by swelling or cramping.

Sometimes, people ignore the signs of a DVT until the clot moves and they experience signs of pulmonary embolism. These include dizziness, faintness, sweating, and heart palpitations.

How is a DVT Diagnosed?

To diagnose a DVT, your doctor will first take a medical history and assess your pain levels. Once that has been done, they will have to image your leg to locate the DVT. Often, this is done using either an MRI or an ultrasound.

How Do You Treat a DVT?

Depending on the location and severity of the clot, your doctor may choose one or several treatment options. Compression socks may be used to increase circulation in your legs, while blood thinners may be prescribed to break up the clot. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the clot.

Be proactive about DVT complications and schedule and appointment with your Vein Care Specialist to learn about the health of your veins. Knowing more about possible blockages or clogs could end up saving your life.

For more information about DVTs or vein care contact us our staff at NJVVC.
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