Category: Varicose Veins

In today’s fast-paced world, patients have come to realize the importance of making the time to have routine screenings for a variety of health issues. The importance of regularly scheduled health testing has proven to be instrumental in early detection and successful treatment implementation for many diseases.

A routine screening at a vein clinic in Orlando should be equally important when it comes to your vein health. If you have received treatment for spider veins or varicose veins and they have reappeared, it’s almost guaranteed that you are experiencing the effects of reflux. A venous Doppler or a Doppler exam is a non-invasive test that is performed with an ultrasound machine to determine whether or not you have reflux in your vein walls.

Reflux occurs when there is damage to the valves within the veins. When the valves don’t function properly, the blood being circulated is not sufficiently propelled to the heart and lungs for re-oxygenation. It begins to pool and results in spider and/or varicose veins as the walls of the vessel try to adapt to contain the blood causing them to expand. This swelling can cause the following symptoms: itchiness, skin discoloration, bulging, achiness, and pain. The pooling of the blood resulting from reflux puts patients at higher risk for developing deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots in the veins.

The venous Doppler exam is not painful and is performed by a highly trained specialist in the offices of Florida Vein Care Center. Using reflected sound waves transmitted through the body, images appear on the screen indicating the anatomy of the veins and valves and can diagnose formations of blood clots (thrombus formations). The technician will enable audible sound periodically to further study the effects of mild compression to certain key areas of the body being tested. If you have ever had an ultrasound for any other diagnostic workup, then you know it is painless and takes about 30 minutes.

Here at Florida Vein Care, we believe that it is in your best interest if we first determine the cause of varicose and spider veins. Reflux issues must be treated successfully before we can move forward. We recognized that not all varicose and spider veins are caused by reflux and, if treated early, the odds are likely that they will not return. If they are caused by reflux, it just makes good sense to treat that effectively first. Don’t put off scheduling an appointment at our vein clinic in Orlando because you are concerned about having a Doppler; it’s painless, takes little time out of your busy schedule and we will quickly and accurately diagnose your vein health. Aren’t you worth it?

Our bodies have a distinctive way of letting us know when something is wrong. We run a fever when fighting an infection. We get earaches, sore throats, headaches, which are all effective ways that get our attention to a problem brewing somewhere. The key is to tune into the signals you can see and feel, and then make a plan to get a diagnosis and work with your health care professionals to get healthy!

It’s especially important not to ignore one of the most visually obvious signals of poor vascular health, which can also be a source of great embarrassment to many folks. The appearance of spider veins, or even worse, the manifestation of thick, bluish, gnarled veins beneath the surface of the skin are warnings you should not ignore. The dreaded varicose vein has reared its ugly head. To some, these unsightly and often painful indicators may be considered a minor irritation and an expected part of the aging process. For others, it’s a reason to never wear shorts or dresses or skirts again! Truth be told, the appearance of these alien-looking ropes are a warning sign that your vascular health is not as good as you think it is.

Varicosities are the result of poor blood flow in the veins. The valves within the vein walls that are supposed to regulate circulation are no longer working properly. Blood begins to pool which causes the outward signs of skin discoloration and swelling. Itchiness, pain, heaviness in the leg, and fatigue are usually soon to follow.  If left untreated, blood clots can form which expands the risk of further complications. It’s not bad enough that they make you self-conscious about your looks, but they make you ache and itch.

Diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins is just a phone call away. Dr. Bragg and his team of varicose vein removal in Orlando specialists at Florida Vein Care Center are here to help determine the health of your vascular system and work with you to determine the minimally invasive treatment options that are best for you. Call 407-805-8989 now to schedule an appointment and put your vein health in our hands!

Our vein clinic in Orlando, Florida Vein Care, is here to educate you about varicose veins, and one thing to take into consideration is the very real and present danger of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if you spend long periods of time flying, driving, or even travelling by train.

Our circulatory system is a complicated network comprised of the heart, veins and arteries carrying blood to and from the heart. Arteries pump oxygenated blood throughout the body, and veins return blood back to the heart. Valves work with the vessels to control flow, and in essence, help maintain pressure. A mobile creature by design, the human body requires us to be active in order to maintain the delicate balance within our circulatory system and promote its optimal performance.

When we travel, our bodies are, for the most part, immobile. Just think about how cramped you felt the last time you flew or drove in a compact car. The longer we remain stationery, the greater the chance that the blood-flow in our legs becomes diminished, which in turn increases the chances of developing blood clots. Clots can develop even in the healthiest of people when they have experienced long periods of stasis. If you are a person who already has varicose veins, who smokes, who is pregnant, who takes birth control pills, or has a family history of blood clots, the risk is even greater that you will develop blood clots while travelling for extended periods of time.

Blood clots can easily loosen and detach from the area of formation and move through the bloodstream eventually landing in the lungs. If the clot blocks a blood vessel in the lung, it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) which can be fatal.  In fact, there is a 50/50  survival rate for those who experience a pulmonary embolism.  It is estimated that approximately 100,000 people in the United States die from PE annually.

There are a few simple measures you can take to help prevent DVT’s from developing:

• Move your feet frequently while traveling.
• Push your heels down and move your toes upward as this will help exercise your calf muscles.
• When appropriate, try to stand and stretch your legs.
• Wear support or compression hose.

If you should experience sudden and severe cramping in your legs, swelling, pain, achy or a heavy feeling in your legs, or shortness of breath while traveling, you should immediately get to the nearest medical facility for diagnosis and treatment!

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, please contact our vein clinic in Orlando, Florida Vein Care Center, at 407-805-8989. Dr. Bragg and his staff are here to help.

If you’ve started experiencing signs of varicose veins, you should consult a medical professional at an Orlando vein center such as Florida Vein Care. He or she will help you to determine the best course of treatment to help alleviate symptoms you may be experiencing. Many patients receive relief from following a simple, home regime that is geared towards preventing the progression of pain and other related symptoms of varicose veins. You can implement the following suggestions to see if you can notice the difference in how your legs look and feel.

• Elevation: You can begin by elevating your legs as often as you can.  Your feet should be angled to a comfortable resting position above your heart.  This will help with blood return to the heart. Walking and exercising results in the muscles constricting which helps circulation by compressing the veins and squeezing blood through.

• Weight Loss: No one ever likes to hear these words, but they are applicable to the care of varicose veins. Lose weight. Extra weight causes additional pressure on the veins which reduces the flow of blood.

• Compression Stockings: Try wearing compression stockings.  They are no longer just the white heavy stockings your grandma used to wear; they are now made in a variety of fabrics, weights and in a variety of shades.

• Stick to a Plan: Don’t expect overnight relief when you elevate your legs, exercise or wear compression stockings. If what you do at home results in success, it has usually taken anywhere from six months to a year to make a difference. Once you begin experiencing relief, don’t stop. Your valves aren’t suddenly healed. Make sure you contact a medical professional, like Dr. Bragg with Florida Vein Care, to seek professional treatment.

• When it’s Not Enough: If you still experience pain or the pain deepens, you don’t like the way your legs look, or you suffer with increased swelling, and/or experience skin ulcerations, it is probably time to consider a more serious treatment. Your doctor at an Orlando vein center center will help you decide when the time is right.

The Orlando vein center medical team at the Florida Vein Care and Cosmetic Center are top notch specialists who will help you make an informed decision when selecting the varicose vein treatment that is best for you. Sclerotherapy, radio-frequency ablation, and EndoVenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) are some of the options that are available to help manage or eliminate varicose veins. They are minimally invasive, and usually require just a local anesthetic. Most patients return to normal daily activity the same day. Call the Florida Vein Care and Cosmetic Center today and schedule your appointment at 407-805-8989.

For Orlando vein treatment centers, understanding the difference between patients suffering from varicose veins versus patients diagnosed with venous insufficiency is solely based on our knowledge of the functional anatomy of the venous systems in our bodies. Here, we share our knowledge with you:

• The Function of the Vein: Arteries pump oxygenated blood away from the heart to all of the organs and limbs of the body. The veins return blood back to the heart to be re-oxygenated. There is a system of superficial veins that lay close to the surface of the skin, and there is a system of deep veins which act as the workhorses for the majority of the returning blood flow. All veins contain one-way valves, which regulate the return of blood to the heart. In essence, the valves run interference with gravity so that blood can reach its intended target and not flow back to our feet, which would be gravity’s first choice and not very helpful to our general well-being.

• Varicose Vein Occurrence: When the valve(s) in a superficial vein fail to work correctly, the blood return to the heart is interrupted, and it begins to pool within the vein (sometimes referred to as a leaky valve). This pooling results in enlargement and distortion of the vein. It can cause swelling in the legs or arms, achiness, and discoloration of the skin. The veins can become extremely distended and curly, almost knotty-like in appearance, which causes the valves to work even less efficiently. These are varicose veins, and they require the diagnosis and care of a vein specialist.

• Venous Insufficiency Occurrence: Venous insufficiency occurs in any type of vein, usually in the legs, but it can also occur in the arms. Once again, the reason for the disturbance of the blood flow is most often faulty valves. The pooling of blood in these veins can result in blood clots which is a very serious condition, also known as deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots can break loose and travel to the heart and into the lungs, which is known as a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolisms have the potential to be fatal if not treated immediately. Treatment for venous insufficiency is serious business and care needs to be taken to avoid the formation of clots.

Don’t wait to see what might be developing. If you are beginning to see varicose veins, experience swelling, pain, discoloration or muscle cramps in your calf or thighs, please make an appointment right away. Orlando vein treatment center’s Dr. Bragg and the staff at Florida Vein Care are here to help. Call us at (407) 805-8989.

After helping many people finally rid themselves of painful and unattractive varicose and spider veins at our Orlando vein treatment center, we have heard our share of false assumptions about varicose veins. Here are the top myths about varicose veins:

• Varicose Veins Only Occur in Women. This statement is false. While women are more likely to develop varicose veins than men, it is estimated that 25% of the patient population diagnosed with varicose veins are male.

• Varicose Veins are Nothing More Than a Cosmetic Nuisance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Varicose veins are caused by the medical condition called venous insufficiency, which may be caused by a host of reasons such as family history, obesity, pregnancy, hormonal changes, or injury. They can cause a heavy feeling in your legs and cause them to feel fatigued, achy, and restless or itchy. The veins become swollen and twisted looking due to the pooling of blood that isn’t being circulated properly. This causes discoloration of the skin. If left alone, clots may form, called phlebitis. The clots might grow and travel into larger and deeper veins, resulting in deep vein thrombosis. The veins may also rupture and bleed. Varicose veins are definitely more than a cosmetic nuisance and can become a very serious and life threatening condition.

• Varicose Veins Only Occur in the Legs. Both spider veins and varicose veins can and do often occur in the arms, on the face, hands or chest.  Believe it or not, hemorrhoids are also varicose veins, a result of consistent straining to evacuate the bowels.

• The Crossing of Legs Will Increase the Chances of Developing Varicose Veins.  There is no scientific documentation supporting this statement. Chalk this one up to an old wives’ tale.

• Treating Varicose Veins Will Result in a Long Period of Recuperation. Years ago, the main treatment for varicose veins was stripping, or removal of the damaged veins through incisions in the skin at either end of the diseased vein. This procedure required on average a two- to four-week healing period where the patient was restricted to bed rest for the first several days, followed by limited time on their feet with long periods of leg elevation. Procedural advancements in vein treatments have evolved significantly, and many current techniques will have patients resuming normal activity immediately following a procedure.

• Treatment of Varicose Veins is Very Painful. With modern advancements in treatment options, most procedures require only a local anesthetic to keep discomfort to a minimum. While the vein stripping method necessitated general anesthesia, today’s ultra-sound guided foam sclerotherapy, or radio-frequency ablations, are far less painful, and allow for same day resumption of driving and normal activity.

• Once Diagnosed with Varicose Veins, One Will Have to Wear Compression Hose Forever. While those lovely white compression socks do indeed serve a valuable purpose in preventative treatment, and in the management of pain and swelling associated with varicose veins, after your veins have been treated, you will probably not have to wear them any longer.

The only way to determine the severity of your spider or varicose veins and determine which treatment option is right for you is to visit an Orlando vein treatment center, and speak to an expert. Don’t wait for a serious medical emergency. Call Florida Vein Care at (407) 805-8989, and make an appointment today with Florida Vein Care and Cosmetic Center.