compression stockings tolerance Archives - The New Jersey Vein & Vascular Center

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.

9 Hidden Health Risks of Untreated Varicose Veins

Jan 18, 2018 | Varicose Veins, Vein Conditions, Vein Health

When one thinks of vein treatment, often what immediately comes to mind is the aesthetic aspect. But there are hidden health risks of untreated varicose veins. Varicose, spider, reticular, and pregnancy veins are all considered unsightly. While many may not care to invest in treating vein conditions and are willing to accept the look of their blue, red or purplish veins, this certainly isn’t the only reason to consider having vein treatments. The truth is, some vein conditions carry their share of risks as well as discomfort, and if left untreated can lead to larger issues.

Varicose veins are a common symptom of age (especially in women), a sedentary lifestyle, and excess body weight, among other genetic factors. Most people consider them more of an unsightly cosmetic inconvenience, rather than an actual health risk.

Learn the Health Risks of Untreated Varicose Veins:

If left untreated for a prolonged period, varicose veins pose some potential major health risks that could leave you hospitalized and in pain.

1. Changes in Skin

The skin near an untreated varicose vein will turn “shiny”, feel waxy and thin, and take on a darker, almost bruised pigmentation. This will deepen over time without treatment. The skin around a varicose vein is easily disturbed and delicate enough to be damaged by a slight bump. Heavy bruising is not uncommon.

While not a serious health risk, this symptom causes many to feel self-conscious about their skin. Dermatitis from the varicose vein could lead to infection if not treated properly.

2. Itching

One of the most common symptoms of untreated varicose veins is an “itching” sensation. It is often treated as dry skin if varicose veins are not obvious. This symptom is one of the mildest on this list and can often be treated with over-the-counter skin salves and ointments. Seeking the opinion of a specialist is important to make sure that there aren’t serious issues happening beneath the skin.

3. Swelling

Varicose veins can cause far more problems than meets the eye. Don’t think that they are simply visible little veins. They are visible for a reason. When blood isn’t pumping out of the legs properly due to damaged valves within the vein walls, blood begins to collect. This enlarges parts of the veins where blood is stagnant.

While some people may never feel any discomfort due to appearance of varicose veins, there are many who experience leg swelling, cramps, restlessness, and even burning sensations.

4. Pain and Cramping

Because varicose veins affect the flow of blood through the veins, oxygen that is carried through the blood does not reach the proper areas, leading to muscle cramps near the site of the vein. These cramps are painful, sometimes debilitating, and can severely affect mobility.

5. Bleeding

Some experience bleeding when veins close to the skin burst. While this isn’t usually a very serious health risk it’s important to have veins checked and treated so it does not continue to occur. Bleeding can sometimes prove heavy. In cases of bleeding, it is important to seek medical assistance.

6. Ulcers Due to Untreated Varicose Veins

Venous diseases can also cause leg ulcers. An ulcer is a break in the skin, which is dangerous due to exposure to bacteria and infection. According to Mayo Clinic, these ulcers are caused by long-term fluid buildup in the tissues surrounding the varicose veins due to “increased pressure of the blood within the affected veins”. These ulcers are slow-healing, painful, and can even be caused simply by scratching the skin over a varicose vein.

Leg ulcers can easily get infected and lead to further health complications. Treating a varicose vein is paramount to treating an ulcer, as the ulcer is not likely to heal while the vein is still affected. Healing leg ulcers can take a very long time and often require a wound care specialist. This can be avoided with proper vein treatment before the ulcers take hold.

7. Superficial Thrombophlebitis

This condition occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein that is close to the skin, causing it to swell and push against the dermis (layer of skin under the epidermis), making it visible. This symptom causes discomfort and can lead to more complications, since the vein is more vulnerable to damage or irritation.

8. Deep Vein Thrombosis (Blood Clots)

When varicose veins are present, the blood in the veins is unable to cycle back through and pools in the body. This creates what is called “stagnant blood flow”. A blood clot located in deep veins is known as deep vein thrombosis. While superficial veins are not at risk for deep vein thrombosis, often those who experience discomfort from varicose veins may not realize that perhaps their discomfort is from deep veins.

Blood clots for superficial veins are often not much of a health problem; however, according to WebMD clots found in deep veins have the potential to travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing potentially life-threatening issues. This is one of the most serious health risks associated with untreated varicose veins.

9. Lipodermatosclerosis

The appearance of veins may indeed be a warning of a bigger issue, which is why it’s important to have them checked by a doctor. For example, varicose veins are a key symptom in an illness called Lipodermatosclerosis. The National Institute of Health says those suffering from this disease suffer “pain, hardening of skin, change in skin color, swelling, and tapering of legs above the ankles.” It’s important to start recommended treatment to control symptoms, as in more severe cases surgery may be necessary.

Don’t Ignore Unsightly Veins

While many unsightly veins prove simply superficial, there are potential risks to ignoring them. It is important to have visible veins checked, and if necessary, treatment by a medical professional to avoid future issues that may cause discomfort, stress, and serious health problems.

Call today to schedule an appointment at The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center, a leading center for treatment of varicose vein disease and venous insufficiency, or visit our website for more information.

Why Winter Is the Best Time for Varicose Vein Treatment

Dec 19, 2017 | News

Varicose vein treatment is on the rise across the United States. New research indicates that this growth is likely to continue at a rate of 6.9% by the year 2021. If you are one of the millions of people who are planning to seek vein treatment, you might be wondering when you should schedule your treatment.

Below are five reasons why winter is the best time for varicose vein treatment.

1) Compression Stockings are Easier to Tolerate in the Winter

Compression stockings play an instrumental role in optimizing vein care treatment. However, some people find them a bit hot and confining – especially in warmer weather.

By scheduling your treatment in the winter, these sensations are not as pronounced because the weather is cooler.

Wearing pants over compression stockings will be much more tolerable in cooler weather than in the summer months.

2) Your Legs Will Have Time to Respond to Treatment Before Spring and Summer

People who receive vein treatments sometimes do not notice positive results for weeks or months.

If you want to show off your treated legs during spring or summer, winter is the best time for varicose vein treatment. This will allow plenty of time for healing.

3) Your Treated Legs Will Likely be Hidden from View

In the days following sclerotherapy, your legs may show signs of bruising and discoloration. Additionally, you will likely be asked to wear compression stockings after treatment.

If treatment is completed during the winter months, people will not even notice that you have undergone a procedure to eliminate spider and varicose veins.

4) Patients are Less likely to Engage in Strenuous Activity

Rigorous exercise and weight lifting are both discouraged in the weeks following sclerotherapy or other vein care procedures. This can prove to be difficult for some people who are accustomed to regularly exerting themselves.

Because most people tend to exercise less in the winter months, it is a bit easier to adjust their exercise routines.

If you love the summer sun and swimming, take note that avoiding sun exposure and public swimming pools for a time after vein treatment is recommended.

5) Varicose Veins are Often at Their Worst During the Winter

A more sedentary lifestyle during the winter months can exacerbate varicose veins and highlight the need for treatment.

Lack of exercise can cause more pooling of blood in the legs.

It’s common for people to put a little weight on in the winter which doesn’t help either.

Failure to seek treatment for your varicose and spider veins can cause pain and other symptoms to worsen.

Winter really is the best time for varicose vein treatment. But if you are suffering and don’t want your condition to get worse, you should seek treatment right away regardless of the time of year.

Winter is the perfect time to visit The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center to change the look and feel of your legs. Contact us today to find out how we can help you escape the escalated discomfort of varicose veins during the winter and become more confident in the look of your legs for Spring 2018.