A New You for the Holidays and New Year: How varicose vein treatment can improve your health

Varicose veins are not just unsightly; they can be painful and result in more serious complications such as ulcers and hemorrhaging. With the New Year rapidly approaching, this time of year is the perfect opportunity to take charge of your health and resolve to be your best, healthiest self. This year, make a resolution to get rid of unsightly veins, painful swelling, and discoloration for good.

At Pacific Vein Care and Blue Sky Medical Spa, we understand that looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand, and are closely tied to a healthy self-image. Fortunately, thanks to treatment improvements, varicose veins are often easily and quickly taken care of in an outpatient setting. Insurance may cover the cost of treating varicose veins if they are due to a medical condition, such as venous insufficiency.

Treating varicose veins most often involves closing off the problem veins so that blood stops pooling in them. Once these veins are closed off, they will fade. Pain and swelling also disappears as blood is successfully rerouted through healthy veins. It is safe to remove varicose veins, because these veins are dysfunctional, and your body has already made new veins. In fact, removing these damaged veins allows your body to circulate blood more efficiently through its newer, healthier veins. Some of the methods implemented to close off veins are laser surgery (by a burst of light), sclerotherapy (by foam, or a solution that causes scarring), radiofrequency (by heat), or microphlebectomy (by extracting veins through tiny incisions).

At Pacific Vein Care, our treatment approach is:

●       Revolutionary and unmatched by other vein-only centers.

●       Quick and convenient, with treatments usually under 1-2 hours for a single vein.

●       Minimally-invasive.

●       Committed to giving you “healthy legs for life.”

●       Outpatient, with a fast recovery time.

●       The most advanced methods that are both effective and pain-free. 

Located in McHenry, IL, Pacific Vein Care and its medical spa, Blue Sky, can help you achieve a better, healthier you for 2017! For more information or to set up a free consultation, call (815) 759-2368 or visit our site. We at Pacific Vein Care and Blue Sky Medical Spa wish you a bright holiday season, Happy New Year, and a successful journey on your path to wellness!

 

Men and Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are typically known as a medical issue that plagues middle-aged to mature women. Experts agree that while more women are diagnosed with varicose veins, it’s likely just as common for men to have them, but that men are a lot less likely to be seek medical attention for it.

About 1 in 4 men will suffer from varicose veins at some point in their lives. Varicose veins are mostly hereditary, triggered by blood pooling in the veins of your legs - so those with occupations in which a lot of time is spent on their feet have a higher chance of developing this vein disease. Spending too much time sitting at a desk will raise your chances as well. The best ways to avoid varicose veins are exercising, reducing standing or sitting pressure, compression hose, and avoiding foods high in sodium since salt leads to retention.

If, however, your precautions don’t keep the spider veins at bay, or your hereditary predisposition is just too strong, don’t panic! Pacific Vein Care has revolutionary treatment options for your varicose veins:

●       Ambulatory Plebectomy - a minor surgical procedure which allows for the removal of large surface varicose veins through very small incisions that need no stitches. The procedure is normally done in our office using a superficial local anesthetic.

●       Compression Therapy - a common form of treatment which utilizes compression stockings over a period of time. These stockings squeeze the leg and allow the valves to be closer together and function properly. This helps the blood flow more normal and your legs respond accordingly.

●       Endovenus Ablation - a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency or laser energy to cauterize and close varicose veins. Our patients are fully awake for this procedure and it is performed in our office.

●       Sclerotherapy - a technique which was developed in the 1950s and 60s to treat veins. It involves the use of an extremely fine needle to inject a tiny amount of a dilute solution (sclerosant) directly into the larger veins. The solution causes the lining of the vein to swell, eventually sealing off the blood vessels and preventing blood flow. At Pacific Vein Care, we use polidocanol as our sclerosant of choice because it is painless and effective.

So remember: varicose veins are not just a cosmetic issue. If left untreated they can lead to larger complications, like bleeding and skin damage. If you are a man with varicose veins, don’t hesitate. Contact Pacific Vein Care and be on your way to healthy legs for life!

About Vein Disease

Did you know one in three Americans over the age of 45 will have some type of vein disease? Your vascular system, consisting of your veins, play an important role in circulating blood throughout your body and back to your heart. As you age, problems in your veins can develop and create a variety of issues, from cosmetic to more serious complications.

It is important to be aware of the different types of vein disease, as well as recognizing early symptoms so that you may seek medical advice right away. This blog will look at answering some of the frequently asked questions about vein disease.

Q: What are the symptoms?

A: Symptoms of vein disease include legs that feel tired, heavy, restless, painful, and sore. Some people may experience throbbing, leg cramps, swelling, and varicose veins.

Q: Aren’t varicose veins just a cosmetic problem?

A: Actually, no! Although the physical appearance aspect is one of the top concerns for most people when it comes to varicose veins, this disease comes with a host of other complications, including pain, swelling, phlebitis, and sometimes even hemorrhage. Also known as venous insufficiency, varicose veins are a widely recognized diseased and most insurances will cover the treatment.

Q: What will treat varicose veins?

A: At Pacific Vein Care, we have specialized training in venous disease treatments and use sclerotherapy techniques to treat venous insufficiency. A concern of many patients is that their varicose veins will return. This is not true if sclerotherapy is done correctly and with the most effective sclerosant. Pacific Vein Care uses a sclerosant called Polidocanol, which is highly effective and painless. We also use Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment, which uses a catheter with a heated tip to shrink varicose veins. Blood then naturally gets diverted to your healthy veins instead! Recurrence following this treatment is only two to three percent!

If symptoms are ignored and vein disease left untreated, it can lead to bigger complications, such as leg ulcers. At Pacific Vein Care, we can diagnose your vein disease using venous ultrasound, and from there formulate a treatment strategy customized to your particular venous issue. Contact Pacific Vein Care at 815-759-2368 to schedule your consultation today or visit our website, and you’ll be on the road to healthy legs for life!

What to Expect from Endovenus Ablation of Varicose Veins

Endovenus Ablation, also known as varicose vein treatment, is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment that uses radiofrequency technology to cauterize and close enlarged veins in the legs.  Radiofrequency technology treats veins from the inside using a catheter with a heated tip.  The radiofrequency through the catheter causes the vein walls to shrink down and the collagen on the inside of the vein to become tacky.  The vein then seals itself shut and the blood is diverted to healthy veins.

This easy treatment is growing in popularity and has an incredible success rate.  Radiofrequency Ablation treatments, Sclerotherapy, and Ambulatory Microphlebectomy are all office-based procedures that are typically covered by insurance, given the right indications.

Are you worried about what to expect during this simple procedure?  Pacific Vein Care offers the highest quality care with modern treatment techniques.  When you walk in for a 2-hour treatment, you can expect these basic steps from an Endovenus Ablation procedure:

• You will be fully awake and resting comfortably on an examination table.
• An ultrasound of your leg will be done so we may identify and mark the vein to be treated.
• Your leg will be cleansed with a disinfectant soap, and draped so it is kept sterile.
• The numbing medication will be administered and the radiofrequency catheter will be inserted through a micro-incision using ultrasound guidance.
•  Additional numbing medication will be administered until your leg is sufficiently numbed.
• RF will be used to treat one 7 cm section at a time (20 second treatment).  The RF ablation catheter will then be withdrawn 7 cm and repeat this process until we reach the micro-incision point, sealing the vein closed as it is removed
•  A small steri-strip will be applied to the tiny incision that was made for the catheter.  No stitches are necessary.

After the procedure, a compression wrap will be applied to your leg.  You will then be able to drive yourself home and return to normal activities within 24 hours.  At Pacific Vein Care, our comprehensive skills are unmatched by other vein-only centers because we offer the highest level of care!  For more information on the Endovenus Ablation procedure, preparation, after care and risks, visit our webiste or call 815-759-2368.