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How the Summer Heat Affects Your Veins

Aug 30, 2021 | News

We all love summer. But if you suffer from symptoms of varicose veins, the heat can be a hazard to your health. Don’t let summer keep you indoors. Use our tips to beat the heat.

It’s the time of year to go to the beach, hike, or simply enjoy relaxing on your deck.  Throughout the season, your first concern may be the sun’s effect on your skin.

But did you know how seriously the summer heat affects your veins? From swelling to discomfort, the heat can wind up being a real inconvenience. 

What the Summer Brings

Summertime naturally leads to more time spent outdoors. The combination of outdoor activity and rising temperature means more pronounced vein conditions.

In the heat, veins naturally dilate for better blood flow. However, when veins swell it can cause issues.

Dilated veins mean your body must fight gravity harder to circulate blood back up to the heart. This added stress can lead to weary veins.

Often, this results in damaged veins and the accumulation of blood in the lower legs. This is how varicose veins can develop and where added discomfort and pain begin. It is also the precursor for a more serious issue called Chronic Venous Insufficiency.

Who is at Risk

There are over 24 million people in the United States that suffer from varicose veins. But the people most at risk are females over fifty years of age.

Women who have had multiple pregnancies are also at a higher risk because of additional stressed placed on veins.
Hormonal changes also affect the onset of venous disease. Women in menopause should be particularly careful during the warmer months.

Although it may seem like varicose veins is a disease that targets women, it’s a guy thing too. In fact, nearly 45% of people who suffer from varicose veins are men.

Certain occupations are also more at risk for varicose veins than others. Jobs that include standing or sitting for long periods of time are prone to vein issues.

People who suffer from varicose veins are often affected physically and mentally. Constant pain, even if slight, can greatly impact your attitude and mental state.

Prevention and Preparation

The appearance of varicose veins and unwanted pain can take its toll on anyone. But trying to prevent vein conditions and slow existing ones is a step in the right direction.

Prevention of vein conditions in the summer is similar to prevention during the rest of the year. But it’s important to remember that conditions can easily be exacerbated in hot and humid weather.

By following these guidelines, you should make it through the summer months without added discomfort:

Good General Health

Maintaining a healthy weight, activity, and eating properly are all important for vein health.

Extra weight can put a lot of stress on your body and particularly your legs. Staying in good physical condition means not only a healthy diet but also regular moderate exercising. The combination of movement and eating right may also help reduce excess weight.

Eating foods that improve circulation is another great way to protect your veins.

And believe it or not, standing up and walking around for only a few minutes really does help!

Stay Hydrated

Drink. Drink. Drink. Getting plenty of fluids to stay hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to remain healthy in the summer heat.

Do you know the recommended amount to drink? Divide your weight in pounds by 2. The answer is the number of ounces you should be drinking daily.

For example, a 150-pound woman should drink 75 ounces of water per day. Though water is the best for hydration, consider supplementing with herbal teas, electrolyte drinks, or fruit-infused water for variety. Just make sure it doesn’t include added sugar or caffeine.

Hydration is key to blood flow. If you aren’t drinking enough water, you may want to start bringing some with you wherever you go.

Remember, by the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

Wear Loose Pants

Wearing loose pants allows the blood to flow properly with no added resistance.

Try wearing loose-fitting pants if you are going to be out for an extended time. Lightweight, natural fabrics will still allow you to be cool, and can cover your skin from the sun’s direct rays.

Leg Room When Traveling

When traveling in a car, plane, or even sitting at work, giving yourself the appropriate legroom helps with circulation.

Extended plane or automobile trips can result in lengthy periods of sitting in one position. It’s important during these prolonged periods of inactivity to use specific exercises while-on the go.

Get up from your seat on the plane and walk up and down the aisle. Pull into rest areas so that you can get out of the car and move around. Your veins will thank you.

Wear Compression Socks or Stockings

Compression socks and stockings use pressure to help push blood through your lower legs. They are an amazing way to help counter the effects of gravity. It’s really important to wear them if you sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.

Wearing compression stockings or leggings can help your legs feel better and assist your veins in working at an optimal level.

Compression garments are readily available at drug stores, sporting goods stores, and online. They are more comfortable than in the past and are designed to breathe better.

Wear them while working out, being active, or most importantly while traveling.

Put Your Feet Up

Gravity is the main cause of varicose veins, but it can also be a factor that prevents them. By elevating your legs, you are causing the blood to flow to other parts of your body.

Even if there is no place to put your feet up on that plane or in the car, elevate your legs whenever possible. At the beach, try putting your feet up on your bag, a towel, or even a beach ball.

If you are at the park, don’t be afraid to use a bench to elevate your legs. Even a slight elevation will help get your blood pumping back towards your heart and out of your legs.

Cool Down

Beat the heat and cool off. Try to sit in the shade. Wear a hat. Take a dip in the pool. Sip on a cool drink. Go inside occasionally to cool yourself down. And always, always, always wear sunscreen!

Exercising and other activities are best done early in the morning or later in the evening so that the midday sun isn’t bearing down on you.

Help is Available

Summer is a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors. Staying active, traveling, going on vacation, and soaking up the sun are all ways to enjoy the season.

However, over-exposure to hot temperatures for extended periods of time can cause pain and discomfort for those who suffer from varicose veins.

In addition, your lifestyle, including an unhealthy diet, inactivity, or not staying sufficiently hydrated, can cause pain and swelling. By employing compression, heat management, activity breaks, and hydration you can reduce your symptoms.

But if you would like to eliminate discomfort quickly, make an appointment with a vein specialist about medical treatment options.

Suffering from venous issues doesn’t mean you have to forgo the outdoors this summer. Keeping a healthy weight and limiting strenuous activity in the heat are important.

Knowledge and preparation will allow you to enjoy the outdoors while minimizing discomfort.

The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center is here to help, please contact us today to learn more.

This blog has been updated and republished in August 2021.

Guide to Vein Conditions and Vein Health

Jan 28, 2020 | News

Good vein health can’t be achieved overnight. It takes eating the right foods, exercise, and putting aside some bad habits. An estimated 40 million Americans are affected by varicose veins, which is just one type of vein complication. About half of those individuals have a history of varicose veins in their family. Women are the most likely to develop the disease. We have created this guide to vein conditions that could be affecting you.

Common Vein Conditions

While varicose veins are one of the most well-known vein complications, there is a range of other diseases that can affect your vascular system.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

This condition is presented as white or bluish skin in the fingers and toes due to spasms in the small arteries.

Buerger’s Disease

With this malady, you’ll notice a pain in the feet and legs as well as hands and arms. This is brought on by blocked blood vessels.

Peripheral Venous Disease

This disorder initially shows as bulging in the veins under the skin, leading to a feeling of heaviness and pain in the legs.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

An ailment that causes poor circulation brought on by hardening or narrowing of the artery from smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are one of the most common vein issues. You’ll notice it by the bulging or purplish veins in the legs due to damaged valves.

Pregnancy Veins

We find that this issue is usually caused by pregnancy, bed rest, or damage to the veins. Pregnancy veins occur due to the increased size of the uterus during pregnancy. The uterus causes pressure on the large vein on the right side of the body, called the vena cava.

Reticular Veins

Usually painless, this condition affects almost 80% of adults due to hormone imbalances, weak veins, and genetic factors.

Blood Clotting Disorders

Whether inherited or acquired, these disorders make it so that blood does not clot normally. When this happens blood can often be found in urine or stool. It may also cause nosebleeds or excessive bleeding during childbirth.

Telangiectasia (Also Known as Spider Veins)

Spider veins are caused by the pressure of body weight, gravity and the tough job of carrying blood back to the heart. You may notice them on the face, breasts, and feet. Almost 60% of adults may have spider veins.

Lymphedema

With this condition, fluid from the lymphatic system builds up and causes swollen arms and legs. Most often this is caused by damaged or missing lymph nodes or vessels.

Foods for Maintaining Good Vein Health

Support good vein health this year by integrating foods that increase and promote blood flow. You can accomplish this by looking for foods that are high in Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Foods like citrus, broccoli, bell peppers, mangos, fish, etc.

It’s also important to include foods like brown rice, leafy greens, chia, and lentils that are high in fiber. Drinking enough water is also important for optimal vein health.

Precautions to Avoid Vascular Conditions

By integrating healthy lifestyle considerations into your day-to-day, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking, you can avoid future vascular problems.

If medications are needed to lower cholesterol and regulate your blood pressure, it’s important to take the meds as prescribed to mitigate the occurrence of vascular issues.

Cosmetic Varicose Veins Treatment and Spider Vein Treatment

Varicose and spider veins are treatable. Sclerotherapy is often the best method of treatment. This in-office procedure is an easy and painless way to resolve this cosmetic issue.

Other procedures can include stripping, ambulatory phlebectomy, endoscopic vein surgery, and endothermal ablation. Laser surgeries can also help to make the veins fade and disappear under intense light bursts.

Natural Therapies to Cure Vein Conditions

While cosmetic vein treatment is effective, regular exercise, dietary changes, compression stockings, and herbal remedies can guide to improve the symptoms and side effects of some vein conditions.

Doing regular yoga with positions where the lower legs are elevated above the heart helps in relieving symptoms of varicose veins.

Sound sleep also affects your vein health. Just one week of fewer hours of sleep can affect your vein condition.

Guide To Preventing Vein Conditions

The same remedies that help to reduce and eliminate the severity of vein conditions are also the treatments that you should continue even after a vein condition has improved.

Keep moving, eat right, and stop smoking. You may also consider wearing looser clothing and not standing or sitting for long periods of time.

For more information about caring for your veins or how to prevent vascular issues, please contact our office.

What You Need to Know About Venous Ulcers

Aug 28, 2019 | News

A product of venous insufficiency, venous ulcers are a painful and stressful health issue. Managing this condition means making lifestyle changes. But, how do you know if you have a venous ulcer to begin with? And, are there ways to prevent them?

Here we discuss everything you need to know about venous ulcers: what they are, the risks associated with them, and how to prevent and treat them.

What is a Venous Ulcer?

Venous ulcers or leg ulcers are open sores on your legs caused by poor blood circulation in the veins of the leg. They heal very slowly and can lead to further complications if not adequately treated.

What Causes Venous Ulcers?

Venous ulcers occur as a result of your leg veins not being able to keep blood flowing back to the heart. This leads to blood pooling in the lower legs, especially the bony areas, usually the ankles. Since blood is not flowing properly, the legs swell, exacting pressure on the skin. This results in an open sore otherwise known as an ulcer.

What does a leg ulcer look like?

Leg ulcers begin to form when blood pooling in the lower legs goes untreated. The very next sign is stasis dermatitis. Stasis dermatitis is itchy, thin and hardened skin that may have undergone a color change to red, blue, or purple.

You will also notice heaviness, pain, or cramping in your legs. Signs that this condition has advanced into a leg ulcer are:

A sore with a red base. It may usually be covered by yellow tissue
Uneven sore borders
Shiny, tight, warm, and discolored skin surrounding the sore
Leg pain

For people who think they’re at risk for venous ulcers, you should develop a prevention plan. Ulcers are a very stubborn condition to treat once fully formed. Typically, it takes 3-4 months for your legs to fully heal from a venous ulcer.

Venous Ulcer Prevention

To prevent venous ulcers, you will need to embrace lifestyle changes that promote a healthy flow of blood for the veins in your legs. Preventative methods include:

Avoiding smoking
Getting regular exercise
Staying at a healthy weight – if you are overweight you may want to develop an exercise program
Not staying in the same position for hours – take breaks to move around
Moderate your salt intake
If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, keep it in check
Wear compression stockings, which can help increase pressure in your leg veins, keep swelling at a minimum, and prevent venous ulcers

Risks Associated with Ulcers

If not properly treated, venous ulcers can lead to severe complications such as:

Skin Infections

The sore may become infected if treatment is ignored. The symptoms of infection include odor, pus, serious pain, and fever.

Bone Infections

When a wound is open too long, bone infections may occur from invading bacteria. Signs of bone infection include fever, muscle spasms, and deep pain in your legs.

Skin Cancer

If your ulcer becomes infected and you continue to ignore it, a malignant tumor may form. Sometimes even with treatment, this may still occur. It is always important to seek medical attention at the first signs of an ulcer.

Management/Treatment

Venous ulcers are not a condition that will go away over time. Without help from a professional, they can escalate to severely painful or even life-threatening conditions.

That’s why this specific type of ulcer requires a lot of care from the patient and treatment from a professional. Treatment of venous ulcers includes:

Compression stockings, to increase blood circulation in your veins, improving your body’s capacity to heal the ulcer.
Elevating your legs for 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a day to improve circulation
Antibiotics to clear the infection
Surgery to improve circulation. This will help the sore to heal and prevent future blood pooling, as well as the development of future ulcers.

Are you experiencing pain in your legs? Have you noticed any symptoms of venous ulcers? The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center offers top of the line, personalized vein diagnosis and treatment. We will do our best in expediting your length of treatment to limit your pain and downtime. Contact us today for the highest standard of care.

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

Oct 28, 2018 | News

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.

Venous Insufficiency and When to See a Vascular Specialist

Sep 28, 2018 | News

If you’ve experienced leg pain that seems to be emanating from a vein but are unsure what it is, it may be venous insufficiency. Pain, swelling, itchiness, leathery skin, or loss of cosmesis are symptoms of venous insufficiency and a warning of when to see a vascular specialist. Allowing any symptom to linger too long, can lead to much more serious conditions.

What Is Venous Insufficiency?

Healthline defines the process of your body’s blood flow as functioning properly when it operates within an intricately simple system. The arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body, and the veins return it back to the heart. Valves act as the stopgap in your veins to keep blood from flowing backward.

If the veins are not able to return blood to your heart for some reason, then it begins to pool where its movement is blocked in your legs. This is known as venous insufficiency. You may be having trouble with a blood clot or varicose veins.

Blood Clot: A blood clot restricts the flow of blood, and as a result, blood pools below the clot.
Varicose Veins: Blood leaks back through damaged valves.
Weakness in the Leg Muscles: May result in squeezing the blood forward.

Is Venous Insufficiency Painful?

While pain is one of the symptoms associated with venous insufficiency, its effects may vary depending on the severity and placement of the vein condition.

Some people experience a feeling of heaviness in the leg, while others may describe their discomfort as achiness. An itching or throbbing sensation may also occur. If the situation has become acute, extreme pain can occur while standing or walking.

Is Venous Insufficiency Life Threatening?

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Institute (NCBI), vein disease is common and manageable if caught during the early stages. A vascular specialist can diagnose the severity of your situation. If your symptoms are not bothersome, you may benefit from exercise, weight loss, wearing compression stockings, or elevating your leg.

If left untreated, however, venous insufficiency can result in loss of cosmesis in addition to serious complications, such as thrombosis, ulcers, or bleeding.

Why Vein Disease Should Never Be Ignored

The circulatory system is essential to the body’s overall health.

Veins and arteries are an integral part of this system, as they are responsible for transporting blood to and from the heart.

Veins bring blood back to the heart and are prone to complications since they must work against gravity.

Left untreated, vein-related complications like vein disease can cause serious health complications.

What Happens When Vein Disease Is Left Untreated

Discolored, Itchy Skin

When the veins do not work properly and the blood flow from your body to your heart is decreased, the skin can become dry and itchy. As the blood is not flowing at its optimal speed, the skin can also become discolored and swollen. When this inflammation becomes chronic, it can be referred to as stasis dermatitis.

Cellulitis

This only occurs when stasis dermatitis has worsened. The symptoms of cellulitis include red and swollen skin, chills and fever, and swollen lymph nodes. This typically happens when vein disease intensifies, and treatment is not sought.

When cellulitis sets in, the risk of a lethal bacterial infection sepsis increases dramatically.

Ulcers and Spontaneous Bleeding

As vein disease progresses, the body’s veins either become enlarged or deteriorate over time. If the vein’s capabilities have decreased dramatically, blood may pool in the varicose veins. This forces them to become more swollen and create painful ulcers.

Ulcers caused by untreated vein disease can itch, burn, cause rashes, and dry out skin. They may be a brown color and ooze or bleed with a foul-smelling substance.

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis happens when a blood clot is formed within the veins of the leg or other body parts. It can happen when veins are no longer able to bring blood back to the heart and create a clot within the leg.

When a clot is created because of untreated vein disease, a pulmonary embolism can occur. This occurs when a blood vessel becomes blocked by a clot that has traveled to the lung.

There are a variety of ways to maintain the health of your circulatory system and many treatment methods for vein disease and other vein-related issues.

When you have concerns about the health of your veins, contact the New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center for diagnosis and treatment of vascular disorders.

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