The human body is simply amazing. The more it is studied, the more we learn about how delicate the balance that exists within. For the longest period of time, women did not know whether or not entering menopause was related to the development of varicose veins. So many changes occur in the female body as the menopausal years approach and amongst them the seemingly sudden appearance of spider veins and/or varicose veins. At Florida Vein Care, a vein clinic in Orlando, we can help you minimize and cope with the changes in your vascular health.

During childbearing years, women produce high levels of estrogen and progesterone in addition to other hormones that are all intrinsic to the goal of achieving and maintaining pregnancy. As menopause approaches, the production of these hormones is significantly decreased. While we are all familiar with the threat of decreased bone density, hot flashes, depression, and fatigue that can accompany menopause, what is not as obvious is the negative impact the reduction of this hormone production has on the circulatory system. It is now thought that the lack of progesterone affects the function of the valves in the veins and the resulting inefficiency can cause varicosity.

There are ways to combat the development of varicose veins. Although no recent studies are available on this treatment option in regards to vein health, many physicians suggest hormone replacement therapy as a way to increase hormonal levels closer to the pre-menopausal levels, especially of progesterone which seems to directly impact venous health.

The rest is up to you. Get plenty of regular exercise at this stage of life. When you keep your legs moving, your veins keep blood circulating at the correct pressure and your valves will work more efficiently. Don’t be sedentary for long periods of time, whether it be sitting or standing.

Try to keep extra pounds off as being overweight is a contributing factor to poor circulation.  Women tend to gain weight as a result of menopause, so do your best to win the war. The risk of developing type-2 diabetes is increased during menopause which will also have a negative impact on your vein health. Working to keep your weight in check will help stave off diabetes and varicose veins.
Dr. Bragg and the expert staff are here at our vein clinic in Orlando to help diagnose and provide treatment options for you. Call us at 407-805-8989 to schedule your consultation now. Menopause doesn’t have to result in unsightly spider and varicose veins.

There is no sure-fire way to avoid the development of varicose veins. At Orlando vein center, Florida Vein Care, we know that there are several lifestyle changes that you can consciously make to minimize the risk of experiencing these nasty bulging and painful annoyances.

 

• Get Plenty of Regular Exercise: Not only will it help you maintain a healthy weight, but regular exercise will help to keep your cardiovascular system in tip-top shape.

• Don’t Smoke: If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do, you need to quit. Amongst the many awful side effects of smoking is increased blood pressure which is a leading contributor to the development of spider and varicose veins.

• Try Not to Spend too Much Time Standing or Sitting: Many people are unaware that the health of your calf muscles is seriously important to the health and well-being of your veins. As calf muscles contract and release during standing and walking, the correct pressure is placed on the veins and valves within the veins to keep blood circulating properly. If you stand or sit for long periods of time each day, your veins don’t have the opportunity to work properly resulting in increased pressure in the legs and feet. Get up and walk for short periods of time, or learn easy-to-do calf exercises.

• Avoid Wearing Tight Clothing: This is something most people never think of as impacting venous health. Wearing skin-tight clothing can contribute to poor circulation in your pelvic area and legs. Comfortable, loose clothing is the better choice. In addition, properly fitting footwear is also important to maintaining good circulation.

• Pamper Yourself: When you are sitting or sleeping, give your legs a treat and elevate them slightly over the level of your heart to improve circulation.

• Wear Compression Hosiery: If you have a job that keeps you on your feet or sitting for long periods of time, consider wearing compression hosiery. It can help in the prevention of varicose veins and assist in reducing symptoms if you have already started to notice their development. From socks to knee-high to thigh-high and pantyhose, there are several options and many colors to choose from. The staff at Orlando vein center, Florida Vein Care, can help you determine which strength of compression hose is best for you.

 

There is no sure-fire way to avoid the development of varicose veins, unfortunately. For more information on varicose veins and treatments options, please browse the rest of our website, or call 407-805-8989 today.

Let’s begin by stating that there are absolutely no stupid questions when it comes to your health. You should have a relationship with your healthcare team that is built on trust and excellent communication. Your doctor and his/her team should never make you feel ignorant when you ask questions. That being said, there are some frequently asked questions that are part of the initial consult and diagnosis of venous disease and treatments at vein clinics in Orlando. Dr. Bragg of Florida Vein Care Center is always happy to address any questions presented by his patients and here is the most frequently asked question:

What did I do to have varicose veins?

There is nothing that you did to get those veins in your legs or arms, so don’t blame yourself. There are a few basic causes of venous disease. First, genetics play a huge part in the development of varicose veins.  If one of your parents had them, you have a 50% chance of getting them and if both of your parents had them (yes, men can get them too,) your risk of developing venous disease rises to about 90%.

Pregnancy is the number one cause of varicose veins in women of child-bearing age. A mother-to-be’s increase in blood volume to support her growing baby can cause veins to stretch. Rising hormone levels will assist in this stretchy vein process which results in the pressure within the vein walls not working efficiently. As the baby grows, additional pressure on the pelvic area can negatively impact blood flow to the lower extremities.  

As you know, getting older isn’t for sissies, and your age is unfortunately another contributing factor to declining venous health. The older we get, combined with genetic predisposition, will increase the probability of emerging varicosity. Finally, if you have gained a few pounds or are obese, you have an even greater possibility of suffering from the swelling and pain associated with varicose veins.

In future blogs, Dr. Bragg will address symptoms and treatments for varicose veins. If you want to know more now, please call Florida Vein Care Center at 407-805-8989 and schedule a consultation now at our leading vein clinic in Orlando.

If you have been diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), the odds are that you have experienced the sensation of pins and needles in your legs or arms, itchiness, or a creepy-crawling feeling. Your legs or arms may feel heavy and fatigued. You might experience an urgent need to move your legs and keep them moving when sitting still or laying down.

They just feel restless. It may worsen when you try to sleep. While these are all documented symptoms associated with RLS, they can also be associated with varicose veins and venous insufficiency. A call to vein clinic in Orlando, Florida Vein Care, should be the next step in exploring all underlying causes and potential solutions to this uncomfortable syndrome.

RLS affects approximately 10% of the population in the United States, and it occurs statistically more in women than men. Early onset has been observed in some patients, but usually middle age to older people experience the most severe symptoms. There is no definitive way to diagnosis RLS although there is suggestion that it may in part be hereditary. Patients are diagnosed based on the symptoms they experience and family history of the condition.

There are suggested treatments such as the use of ice and heat, massage, warm baths, and even increased sleep periods, all of which are moderately successful depending on the severity of the symptoms. Prescription medications are available to assist in the management of RLS, but, to date there is no cure. There is, however, evidence which suggests that some RLS patients have venous insufficiency that is either the underlying cause of the RLS or at least a contributor to the symptoms they experience.

It is strongly recommended by Dr. Bragg and the staff at Florida Vein Care Center that patients who have been diagnosed with RLS make an appointment to see a vein care specialist and have a venous Doppler scan performed. A Doppler scan is a completely non-invasive procedure that is used to observe blood flow in your veins. If venous insufficiency is diagnosed, then a plan of care can be discussed and implemented to permanently resolve the insufficiency.

Putting an end to the venous issues may alleviate many of the symptoms experienced with Restless Leg Syndrome. Some patients have reported all of their RLS symptoms have been completely eliminated following restoration of normal blood flow in their veins. Please call 407-805-8989 for an appointment with our vein clinic in Orlando today.

Many athletes suffer from leg cramps following intense physical activity where they are flexing and extending the long muscles of the upper and lower legs. Individuals who stand for extended periods of time, such as policemen, dentists, or cashiers, may also note a bevy of cramping during or after their work shift is complete. With these jobs, known as “standing occupations”, the prevalence of leg cramps increases.

Sometimes, leg cramps are a secondary symptom to venous disease; the treatment that remedies varicose veins, therefore, cures the leg cramps. In fact, one of the first positive results of vein therapy that patients report is relief from leg cramps. Orlando vein treatment center, Florida Vein Care, offers some insight into varicose veins and their role in leg cramps.

Leg cramps are common at night when the patient plantar flexes the foot (pointing the toe) because the muscle in the back of the leg, the gastrocnemius, contracts. This contraction compresses the veins in the lower leg and decreases blood flow. The result is lack of oxygenation to the gastrocnemius, which the body perceives as a cramp.

Your veins and arteries are significantly different in structure. While arteries are encircled with muscles that literally pump blood through the vascular system, veins rely on valves. As blood enters the veins, the valves keep it from back washing as it is pushed forward by the force of the contractions within the heart and arteries. Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the valves do not close properly and blood pools in areas well below the heart, such as the legs. Venous insufficiency is alleviated with elevation in the early stages, but time and lack of early treatment may require surgery to repair. When veins are unable to properly circulate blood, carbon dioxide is not removed from muscle cells rapidly enough, and oxygen is likewise not delivered quickly enough. Cramping is a side effect of this disorder.

Treatment often involves endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), which shrinks the compromised veins, causing the body to re-route blood as it returns to the heart. This re-routing does not negatively affect the functioning of the vascular system since so many veins route blood from the lower extremities.

If you suffer from leg cramps, either diurnal or nocturnal, contact Orlando vein treatment center, Florida Vein Care, at (407) 805-8989 for a consultation. Treatment may be as easy as a dietary change, or it may involve minimally invasive surgery under a local anesthesia. The end result is the same: disappearing leg cramps and a greater enjoyment in life.

Many adults suffer in silence from varicose veins (venous disease), falsely believing their bulging veins are only a cosmetic issue and the pain they are experiencing is merely another sign of aging. Varicose veins may often be so debilitating that individuals are not able to exercise, work long hours while standing, sit comfortably, or even sleep. These symptoms of venous disease are real, and, more importantly, treatable. Contact vascular vein center in Orlando, Florida Vein Care, to learn how your life can be improved dramatically with a simple in-office procedure.

Vascular Vein Center

Venous disease is often caused by valvular incompetence. Veins have a series of tiny valves that hold blood in place as it returns to the heart and as the beating of the heart moves the blood from the lower extremities back to the heart. If the valves are leaky, blood does not easily return to the heart; instead, it stagnates in the legs, pooling inside the veins and causing them to bulge.

Varicose veins can cause various other side effects, such as venous eczema, a condition in which the skin becomes scaly, red, and distended above the site of varicose veins. Other symptoms include ulcerations (a break in the skin that is reluctant to heal) and thickening of the skin. Traditional signs of varicose veins are enlarged veins, pain upon prolonged sitting or standing, and “heavy” legs that feel unable to function.

The team at Florida Vein Care understands these symptoms and will work with each patient for a specific treatment plan to improve the quality of life for all venous disease sufferers. Many times, treatment is conservative, consisting of lifestyle changes and/or wearing compression stockings. A conservative treatment is generally tried before surgery is mentioned.

Surgical procedures are in-house and minimally invasive. Depending on the extent of the venous disease, patients may find immense relief with one visit. After surgery, low-impact exercises are encouraged for a few weeks before strenuous exercise is resumed. Typically, patients are able to return almost immediately to all the activities they loved, but were unable to participate in when varicose veins interfered with their lives, such as gardening, walking, playing with pets and grandchildren, and golfing. Patients report more restful sleep and greater mobility during the day after varicose vein therapy.

If you are interested in bringing back all the joy life brought before you were sidelined with varicose veins, call vascular vein center in Orlando, Florida Vein Care, at (407) 805-8989 to speak with one of our caring professionals and set up an initial consultation, or contact us online. The results will amaze you.

Have you ever wondered why your legs are screaming at you by the end of the day when you have varicose veins? Florida Vein Care’s, Susie Bragg, RN, BSN, explains why those varicose veins cause such pain, and how it may be time to seek Orlando vein treatment today.

The veins carry used blood (de-oxygenated blood) back to the heart to get pumped to the lungs for gas exchange. Think about it… the incompetent bulging varicose veins in your legs fill up with this used venous blood, especially when gravity is a force when standing. This blood is high in a gas called carbon dioxide. The pH of venous blood is typically more acidic due to this, and there is no cellular-supporting oxygen to be found in this blood. Your legs cramp up because they are full of old, used, “tired” blood that needs to get back to the heart. At night, when you lie down and the blood has a chance to make it back to the heart and lungs for gas exchange, your legs feel a lot better.

Sometimes people worry having a leg vein removed: “Will removing this vein hurt my circulation? Don’t I need my vein?”

Absolutely not! In fact, your circulation will be greatly improved once you eliminate the incompetent vein(s).

Call Orlando vein treatment center, Florida Vein Care, and find out more about screening for venous reflux. Also, you can take the Spider Survey to see if you are a candidate for venous treatments. Thank you for your interest. We also have an excellent tutorial video for you to view. Please cal us at 407-805-8989, or reach out to us online.