vein care procedures Archives - The New Jersey Vein & Vascular Center

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.

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.

Venous Insufficiency and When to See a Vascular Specialist

Sep 18, 2018 | Vein Conditions, Venous Insufficiency

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.

Finding A Vein Care Specialist

Jun 18, 2018 | Vein Care, Vein Treatments

Vein disease is a lifelong complication, but a personalized specialist can make something complicated simple. The New Jersey Vein & Vascular Center is a leading vein center that places emphasis on patient care. Instead of receiving generic care from a clinic that just administers vein treatment, try a specialist who focuses on your health needs and an entire care plan for your specific condition. Here are some things to consider when finding a vein care specialist:

Specialties

The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center treats varicose vein disease and venous insufficiency. Our scope of care includes the treatment of varicose, spider, pregnancy, and reticular veins. Our objectives in administering care are to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and improve appearance.

Diagnosis

Examples of Varicose Veins in Legs, Feet, and Ankles

We accurately identify the underlying causes of vein conditions, first, before diagnosing. We’ve seen many patients who have been treated for the symptoms, rather than the disease, at prior clinics. We provide an accurate diagnosis, closely monitor our patients and communicate to ensure condition improvement and patient satisfaction.

Our Clinic

Dr. Stuart MIller - Vein Care Specialist

Our clinic, located in Randolph, NJ, is state-of-the-art, assuring nothing short of the best quality care available anywhere.

One of our famed doctors, Dr. Stuart Miller, holds over 15 medical device patents in our field of care.

We can tackle underlying causes with precision without wasting valuable time on false positives or negatives. We continue to make technological advances in our field.

Procedures & Therapies

We offer ambulatory phlebectomy, sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation, and compression therapy. We understand that vein complications may affect patients’ body confidence due to their visibility. Our goal is to fully satisfy our patients, including addressing cosmetic concerns. Additionally, we also provide Botox treatments.

Insurance Coverage

Unless you want to pay out of pocket for your vein treatment, you’re going to want to learn about your insurance coverage. Most vein procedures are covered by insurance, but because plans vary from person to person, you’ll want to double-check. NJVVC accepts most major insurance and Medicare and our staff will be happy to work with you to maximize your insurance benefits.

Read Reviews

Spending some time reading through a specialist’s reviews online will likely shed some light on the quality of the services they offer. But it’s important for finding a vein specialist. It’s important to keep in mind that people only turn to online reviews if their experience was one extreme or the other: really great or really awful. Although, sometimes reviewers provide valuable insight.

We encourage all our patients to share their story regarding the experiences they have had with us. We strive to constantly provide a higher level of care for the people we see. It shows in the reviews we have received over the years.

The Next Step – Schedule a Consultation with a Specialist

Our office staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about our field of practice. To contact us about receiving care, or with general questions, you may call us at 862-251-7111, or inquire online here.

Editor’s Note: This blog has been updated in May 2024

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.

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