Good post-EVLA care can prevent complications

Endovenous laser ablation, or EVLA, is a minimally invasive treatment used to address specific large varicose veins in the legs. It is considered the gold standard in treatment of venous symptoms, and has largely replaced previous, more invasive standards of care, such as vein stripping. 

EVLA has opened the door for many patients with venous disorders to eliminate symptoms and improve their appearance with minimal time investment and minimal pain, but there are some things to be aware of after EVLA treatment.

As the leg heals, there may be bruising and swelling of the treated area, however, both are self-limited and usually resolve within the first two weeks after the EVLA procedure. 

Phlebitis is another common adverse complication -- one that commonly occurs with any IV stick, or even spontaneously from varicose veins. It is more common with EVLA because with this procedure, we are intentionally "irritating" the vein. The national incidence for resulting phlebitis is recorded at ~30%, however, at my office, we instruct patients who experience any post-procedure pain to use elevation, heat and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, essentially treating pain prophylactically (as a preventative measure). Thus, we tend to have a much lower incidence of post-procedure phlebitis at VHC.

We also guide our patients in their post-EVLA care so that they can experience effective healing and a quick recovery.

If you'd like to learn more about EVLA and other vein treatments, contact us. We're happy to answer your questions or schedule an evaluation of your vein health.

Preventing phlebitis

In our last post, we explained phlebitis, when a vein in the superficial vein system becomes inflamed or swollen. In this post we talk about prevention.

Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen advises that all the things that prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis) also keep phlebitis at bay:

If you’re interested in learning more about the topic of phlebitis, you can read about it in our current issue of Vein Health News.

Do you have other questions? Give us a call, or email us, at the Vein Healthcare Center.

The risks of…sitting?

Are you sitting down? Chances are, you are! It seems like our whole world was designed to keep us in a seated position, usually in front of a screen, whether during work or leisure time.

Earlier this year, a recent article found that this overwhelmingly sedentary behavior increases our risk of getting preventable conditions, even if we exercise. The studies showed that physical inactivity (the fourth-leading risk factor for death for people all around the world, according to the World Health Organization) can lead to premature death from cardiovascular issues and cancer, as well as cause chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes.

Too much sitting can also increase the risk of getting varicose veins—and if you already have vein issues, you may notice that symptoms get worse after sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Why? The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout the body through the arteries. Veins then carry blood from all the extremities back up to the heart. The blood in the legs travels up against gravity, so when the valves in the veins become damaged, blood flows back into the legs which leads to a “pooling” of blood in the veins that can manifest as varicose veins or spider veins. 

When you sit (or stand) in the same position for a long time, the blood doesn’t circulate properly and, over time, this can lead to varicose veins.

There are a several ways to help reduce the risk of getting varicose veins from sitting for too long:

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

• Elevate. Occasionally, rest your legs above your heart – for as long as 30 minutes or as briefly as three minutes. (For more tips on elevation, click here.)

• Take a break. Take frequent walking breaks to avoid sitting or standing for periods of more than two hours.

• Pump it. If you can’t move around that often – or are flying on an airplane – try flexing and pointing your foot to get the blood moving in your legs. (Click here to learn more about “the foot pump.”)

Of course, the best way to reduce your risk of getting varicose veins from sitting all day is to move around more – and be aware of just how much time you spend sitting down.

Fashionable...compression?

Graduated compression stockings are ugly, beige, and only for “old people,” right?

Wrong. In the past several years, compression companies, such as Juzo, SIGVARIS, Carolon and Jobst, have been developing stockings and socks in styles, patterns, finishes, and colors that look more like fashion accessories than medical devices (while still being clinically effective when purchased and put on correctly.)

Newer brands like REJUVA and ITEM m6 (a spin-off of compression manufactuer medi) are also taking compression trends to the streets. Both companies were mentioned in an article about compression in the NYTimes Style section!

Read more about how compression has evolved in Healthy Style: Compression Steps Up, the latest cover story in Vein Health News. Just click here to read the story.

All in the family

Like the color of your eyes, varicose veins are a trait that runs in the family. Since venous disease does have a strong genetic component, it’s important for people to be aware of venous disease and its symptoms and, as with any illness, to know the family history.

If someone in your family has experienced vein disorders or has visible veins on their legs, your risk of the disease is much higher. For example, someone with first-degree family members with vein issues will find the risk is significantly increased.

But just because you watched your mother and your mother’s mother (and so on) suffer from painful and unsightly veins, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to the same fate. Even if you are not currently experiencing symptoms, an evaluation with an experienced phlebologist (vein specialist) can tell you the condition of your venous system, as well as possible interventions and prevention. Modern vein treatments, such as endovenous laser ablation and sclerotherapy, are minimally invasive and extremely effective.