15 Facts About Vein Disease

There are a lot of myths about venous (vein) disease, and how to treat it. Rather than add to the confusion by repeating them here, we're happy to present these 15 facts to consider.

1. Vein problems are among the most common chronic conditions in North America.

2. Approximately half of the U.S. population has venous disease.

3. In this country, 50 to 55 percent of women and 40 to 45 percent of men have venous disease— of these, 20 to 25 percent of the women and 10 to 15 percent of men will have visible varicose veins.

4. Varicose veins affect one out of two people age 50 and older, and 15 to 25 percent of all adults.

5. Every year an estimated 4.6 million U.S. work days are lost due to venous disease.

6. Gender and age are two primary risk factors in the development of venous insufficiency.

7. Individuals who have been pregnant more than once, have a family history, or spend a great deal of time standing increase their risk of the disease.

8. If varicose veins are not treated, they will not go away on their own; in fact, they usually get worse over time.

9. Without treatment, early symptoms of venous disease can lead to lipodermosclerosis, a disease of the skin and connective tissue; an increased chance of superficial venous thrombophlebitis, clotting in the superficial veins that causes severe pain; or ulceration, wounds on the leg that will not heal.

10. Venous disease can be a factor in chronic leg cramping or restless leg syndrome.

11. Symptoms and progression can usually be controlled with compression.

12. Some people with venous disease present with no symptoms.

13. Treatment can stop the progression of the disease; it can restore health and quality of life for those with early stage symptoms and for those struggling with late-stage symptoms.

14. For most people, even debilitating symptoms are treatable.

15. It’s critical that an evaluation involve close attention to the entire venous system, so that poorly functioning veins can be treated at the source. 

Education is an important first step toward better health – and that includes your vein health! 

To learn more about the prevention and treatment of venous disease, visit a phlebologist (vein specialist) certified by the American Board of Phlebology (ABPh). While many practitioners may practice vein care, a board certified phlebologist meets the ABPh’s high standard and has the knowledge, skills, and experience to provide quality patient care related to the treatment of all aspects of venous disease.

If you'd like to schedule an evaluation of your vein health, contact us at Vein Healthcare Center. We're happy to answer your questions!

Thank you from all of us at the Vein Healthcare Center!

As another year comes to an end, I am counting my blessings for getting to do work that I love. I couldn’t do it without the Vein Healthcare Center team. What a pleasure it is to work with these skilled and thoughtful professionals every day!

I’m also grateful for all of our patients. Thank you for coming to us for better health and an improved quality of life. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Have a wonderful holiday season and start to the new year. And keep walking!

Sincerely,

Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen

Treatment is individual

Just as every person is unique, so should every health treatment plan be.

If you decide to pursue vein treatment, be clear about what you want. Do you want to wear shorts or skirts again? Do you want your legs to feel good even after standing on your feet all day? Or are you happy to control your venous reflux with compression therapy?

Whatever your desired outcome, make sure you work with a doctor who will listen to you and help you achieve your goals. Of course, we recommend vein care from vein specialist certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM).

Vein therapies today are performed by a variety of providers; some may lack adequate training or oversight, and some treat cosmetic concerns without taking the overall health and venous health of the patient into account.

Without a full understanding of both vein health and pathology, wrong treatment options can cause more damage to the venous system – and decrease your quality of life. When treated by a certified phlebologist committed to your overall health, you should receive professional medical care you deserve. 

If you’re wondering if you have symptoms of venous disease, click here to learn more about it.

Are there age restrictions for endovenous laser ablation treatment?

Treatment for most stages of vein disease can be performed on patients in their teens or in their nineties. Most people who possess motility—the ability to walk—are eligible for treatment. A thorough health history and physical exam should always be performed before any treatment.

It is worth noting, however, that aging is one of the leading risk factors for the development of vein issues. As people age, vein issues become more prevalent. Small problems that started earlier, often progress into larger ones. A decrease in the body’s production of collagen causes veins to become less elastic and more likely to “leak,” especially superficial veins. This is why there’s an increase of varicose veins in the elderly population.

Although seniors have a fifty percent greater chance of suffering from venous insufficiency, there is no research to suggest that their success rates after venous treatment are different from the their younger peers. It’s never too late to take charge of your health and feel better.

For more information about Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, founder of the Vein Healthcare Center in South Portand, Maine, click here.

What can you expect at an EVLA appointment?

So you’ve met with a board certified vein specialist and learned about EVLA, made an appointment, and prepared for the procedure. What’s next? 

When you arrive for your EVLA appointment, you will change into exam shorts and photos of your leg will be taken. (Photos are used for your personal medical chart, in order to track improvement and recovery.) Your leg will be re-checked using ultrasound, and your doctor will write on your leg with a magic marker. Your vital signs will be checked, and you'll be asked to relax on a procedure table. There are often pillows and blankets available for your comfort, and if you bring a listening device, you can begin listening to music.

Your leg will be cleansed with an iodine solution to the groin— you should make the physician aware of any iodine or seafood allergies you may have. An IV will be placed in the problematic vein, usually at or around the level of your knee, or in the middle section of the back of your calf. You will feel a small pinch of local anesthetic during this part of the procedure.

Under ultrasound guidance, a laser fiber will then be threaded up to the highest point of venous insufficiency. There should be little or no discomfort. The area to be treated will then be fully anesthetized. Most physicians ask their patients to wear special safety glasses to protect eyes from the laser. The laser will then be turned on, and the ablation of the vein will begin, a process that usually takes approximately forty minutes.

The physician should provide you with post-operative requirements. Following guidelines for care after your treatment will help promote the most effective healing so you can return to your daily routine and start experiencing a comfortable, symptom-free life as soon as possible.

How to prepare for an EVLA

In a previous post we described the outpatient procedure called EVLA, or endovenous laser ablation. Now we’ll discuss what to do to prepare for an EVLA appointment. Being fully prepared for your appointment and following recommendations for care before your appointment will help ensure successful, comfortable treatment.

Most vein specialists offer patients pre-operative instructions. Read— and heed— all of the guidelines as part of preparing for the appointment. Common EVLA preparations include:

1. Compression stockings should be purchased and worn prior to your appointment to be sure they are comfortable. You should bring them with you the day of the procedure, as you will use them immediately following treatment and during the following two weeks.

2. Refrain from shaving your legs the morning of the procedure. This will reduce the risk of razor burn irritation from the sterilizing wash.

2. Take all regular medications the day of the procedure.

3. You will be prescribed a muscle relaxer to help keep the muscles in your leg loose, and a pain medicine. Take both medications 1 hour before the procedure or as directed by your physician.

4. Fasting is not required— eat a normal breakfast or lunch.

5. Prepare to bring or wear high-cut underwear that you are willing to have stained by iodine solution. You will likely want a second pair to change into after the procedure is over.

6. Bring an iPod or headset if you'd like to listen to music during the procedure.

It’s important to remember that while endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is the gold standard for venous care, you and your vein doctor, together, may decide on a different course. Call the Vein Healthcare Center to schedule an educational visit and learn about what options may be right for you.

Can treating vein disease help RLS?

As we discussed in our last post, about 40 percent of people with RLS have problems withtheir veins, but we don’t fully understand the relationship between RLS and venous disease. Research shows that there is high correlation of patients who see their RLS resolve when they receive venous treatment. 

One study showed that treatment of venous reflux eliminated or significantly reduced 98 percent of a person’s RLS symptoms. (Ninety-two percent of symptoms did not return after one year.) Another study showed that 95 percent of an individual’s restless legs symptoms were reduced, and 53 percent of symptoms were completely eliminated after vein treatment. Despite this and other research, there are currently no prospective random clinical trials that show that RLS is directly related to veins.

It is worth adding that many phlebologists have found that when patients wear graduated compression stockings, their RLS symptoms improve.

There is no cure for RLS, but many treatment options are available to help manage symptoms, including long-term use of prescription medication. According to Dr. Asbjornsen, many patients in her care have expressed that treatment for venous insufficiency has completely relieved their RLS, although other patients saw no difference at all. 

Research findings and anecdotal evidence do suggest that the patients who are evaluated for restless legs syndrome would benefit from an evaluation for possible vein disease as well. 

An article in the journal Phlebology (2008;23:112-117), for example, concludes that all RLS patients should be properly evaluated for venous reflux before initiation or continuation of drug therapy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gray1240.png

Spider Veins? Quick Tips for Coping

Spider vein is the common term for blue or purple-colored veins that occur under the skin but are close enough to be seen on the surface. They are similar to varicose veins but smaller, and like varicose veins, they can cause physical discomfort and be a source of embarrassment and self-consciousness, especially during the summer season.

If you have spider veins, some simple tips can help you feel better and help stop their progression.

4 Quick Tips for Coping with Spider Veins

1. Elevate your legs above your heart as often as possible— for as long as 30 minutes or as briefly as three minutes. The ideal time is after you have been standing for a long period or after a hot shower.

2. Sit properly. Focus on good posture and avoid crossing your legs, or sitting in ways that can compress veins for prolonged periods.

        

3. Walk. Walking causes the rhythmic contraction of calf muscles and helps promote blood flow to the heart. Just 30 minutes every day—all at once, or in shorter increments.

    

4. Contact a board certified phlebologist for an evaluation. In the past, treatment for spider veins has been considered merely cosmetic, but they can be the tip of the iceberg.

Coping with spider veins? 
You've got options. Find out more about venous disease and its treatment, or contact the Vein Healthcare Center to schedule an appointment to get started with your vein care.  

Spider Veins: Appearance or Something More?

Tiny, Web-Shaped Veins Could Be a Symptom of Venous Disease

Telangiectasia is the technical term, but most people know them as “spider veins.” The tiny red-, blue- or purple-colored veins occur just below the skin but are close enough to be seen on the surface. They may appear as short fine lines, clusters, or in a spider web shape.

Treating spider veins can improve appearance, and that can be a tremendous advantage for those struggling with them. But spider veins can also be an indication of early stage venous disease; treating them not only can improve appearance, but can also help stop the progression of venous disease at its source.

Are Your Spider Veins a Symptom of Venous Disease?

Vein health is a continuum, so while spider veins may appear minimal, there could be a larger vein ‘leaking’ underneath.

A basic understanding of how veins work can help one understand what causes disorders like spider veins. Veins carry blood from the legs and arms back to the heart. The blood in the legs travels up against gravity, so when the valves in the veins become damaged, blood “leaks” back into the legs and creates a “pooling” effect.

Treatment – For Your Overall Health

Effective treatment of spider veins begins with a thorough evaluation from a qualified phlebologist who will look for the source of the problem: the leaky valve or valves. An ultrasound is the best way to accurately determine the problem. Then, the physician can recommend the appropriate procedure or therapy.

Sclerotherapy is frequently used to treat spider veins. In this procedure, small needles provide access to the vein so that a sclerosing agent can be injected into the vein's interior wall. This substance causes the vein to become sticky and seal shut, allowing it to disappear. Blood then finds a healthy path back to the heart.

While these effective forms of treatment can be the solution to better looking legs, it's important to remember that they can be part of maintaining good health as well. You can learn more about spider veins and their treatment at The American College of Phlebology, where you can read about Vein Conditions and Treatment including information about sclerotherapy and other forms of treatment. You can also get the answers to common questions about vein disorders at the Vein Healthcare Center and request an appointment with a board certified phlebologist.

Dr. Helane Fronek: Leader in the Field of Phlebology

Celebrating the Pioneers of Vein Health 

During the month of March, we celebrated the historic achievements and contributions of women whose roles ranged from suffragists to entrepreneurs. This month, in keeping with the salute to women, we celebrate those who contributed and continue to contribute to the development of Phlebology as a medical specialty.

The U.S. has one of the highest incidences of venous disease in the world. Because of the widespread nature of its symptoms, it is considered a significant public health issue. Historically, venous symptoms were often left untreated. This was due to poor levels of public awareness, the lack of quality treatment options and discouraging outcomes. Today, public understanding of venous disease is on the rise. Injection therapies such as sclerotherapy, surface laser treatments, and other non-invasive closure procedures including EVLA have become the gold standard of care, and these innovative forms of treatment have transformed the way the medical community views diagnosis and treatment of venous disorders.

Leading the Way In Vein Care

Helane Fronek MD, FACP, FACPh entered the field of phlebology in 1985 and has been an integral part of its development. As part of her work in the field, she served as the Director of the Varicose Vein Clinic at Scripps Clinic, where she provided cutting edge treatment for the entire spectrum of superficial venous disorders and conducted research on venous leg ulceration, compression therapy, and emerging therapies for varicose veins. She is past president of the American College of Phlebology, the largest medical organization devoted to vein care.

Dr. Fronek was the first recipient of the American College of Phlebology’s prestigious Leadership Award, and she is well known for authoring The Fundamentals of Phlebology, a medical textbook used by most Phlebologists entering the field. She is a respected speaker and educator in all aspects of diagnosis and treatment for venous disease and communication in the medical arena.

While Dr. Fronek continues her work as a vein specialist, she has extended her contribution to those in
the medical field as a coach and consultant to physicians. As a coach and consultant, she focuses on aspects including maintaining balance, finding professional fulfillment, and enhancing communication skills. She states on her blog:

“My desire to help [physicians] recapture the love of medicine that made them want to become doctors is what drew me to the field of coaching. Coaching is extremely effective in helping physicians discover what aspects of their practice and their life no longer work well for them, and how to make the shifts that will align their life with their true values and goals. Being a part of my clients’ transformations is gratifying and inspiring.”

You can read more about Dr. Helane Fronek, or read about her Coaching and Consulting for Physicians.

If You Are a Primary Care Physician, Venous Disease Affects Your Patients

It is estimated that 80 million Americans have some form of venous disease. If you are a primary physician, it is very likely that you are treating patients who are experiencing symptoms of this disease. Read the latest issue of Vein Health News and subscribe to be sure you have the latest information about the impact of venous disease symptoms and its available treatment options.