30, 3, 2015

What are varicose veins and spider veins?

2021-11-04T14:40:52-07:00
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Spider veins are like varicose veins but smaller. Often, they are red or blue. They can look like tree branches or spiderwebs with their short, jagged lines. This patient had large clusters bluish colored spider veins around the knee (see top picture). These were treated with sclerotherapy injections at La Jolla Vein Care (after picture on bottom). To see how sclerotherapy works, go to La Jolla Vein Care’s Youtube channel.

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Varicose veins are bulging, twisted veins located just under the skin. This is a before and after picture of a patient who was treated at La Jolla Vein Care with radiofrequency ablation and foam sclerotherapy to dissolve the varicose veins. There are no surgical incisions with these treatments.

Varicose (VAR-i-kos) veins are enlarged veins that can be blue, red, or flesh-colored. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They can be swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are often found on the thighs, backs of the calves, or the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins can form around the vagina and buttocks.

Spider veins are like varicose veins but smaller. They also are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. Often, they are red or blue. They can look like tree branches or spiderwebs with their short, jagged lines. They can be found on the legs and face and can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.

 

What are varicose veins and spider veins?2021-11-04T14:40:52-07:00

25, 2, 2015

VenaSeal ‘Vein Glue’ Approved By FDA To Treat Varicose Veins

2015-02-25T22:40:31-08:00

VenaSeal ‘Vein Glue’ Approved By FDA To Treat Varicose Veins

Earlier this week, The U.S. food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the VenaSeal closure system to permanently treat varicose veins by sealing the affected superficial veins using an adhesive agent.

This treatment has been usedvenaseal in Europe, and will soon be available to vein specialists and their patients in the United States.

According to the manufacturer’s website:

‘The VenaSeal Sapheon Closure System is a unique, minimally invasive treatment that uses a safe-for-the-body medical glue to quickly and effectively treat varicose veins (venous reflux disease). Using ultrasound, a doctor will guide a tiny catheter through a small access site in the skin and into the diseased area of the vein. Next, the VenaSeal dispenser delivers a very small amount of medical glue to close the vein. Once the affected vein is closed, blood is immediately re-routed through other healthy veins in the leg.

Unlike other treatments, VenaSeal does not require anaesthesia to be injected into the leg via multiple needle sticks (tumescent anesthesia), and because there are no pre-procedures drugs involved, patients can return to their normal activities right after the treatment. Unlike heat-based procedures, with VenaSeal there is no risk of skin burns or nerve damage. VenaSeal usually does not require any post-treatment pain medication or uncomfortable compression stockings.’

 

 

VenaSeal ‘Vein Glue’ Approved By FDA To Treat Varicose Veins2015-02-25T22:40:31-08:00

Dr. Bunke Explains Non-surgical Varicose Vein Treatments on San Diego News

2015-02-11T20:06:34-08:00

Vein Stripping is a thing of the past! Watch La Jolla Vein Care’s Dr. Bunke on San Diego Living explain alternative non-surgical vein treatments to the outdated vein stripping surgery!  The episode was aired yesterday, February 10th, on CW’s Channel 6. As Dr. Bunke explains, a common misperception about varicose vein treatment is that vein stripping surgery is still used as the main method used to treat varicose veins. The truth is, vein stripping surgery is nearly obsolete, with endovenous ablation being considered as the standard of care for treatment of the great saphenous and small saphenous veins. There are other treatment methods such as ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy for the branching, bulging veins at the surface of the skin.

This news segment provides animations about how these vein treatments work.

For the endovenous ablation, specifically radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins, also known as the Venefit procedure (previously called VNUS Closure) is described. Dr. Bunke explains that a thin, flexible tubing called a catheter is placed inside the diseased vein. Radiofrequency energy is delivered to heat the vein and seal it shut. The body will gradually dissolve the treated vein. The blood is directed through other healthy veins.

A foam sclerotherapy animation is also shown. Foam sclerotherapy involves injecting a foamed medicine into the vein that will cause it to collapse, shrink and eventually dissolve.

These varicose vein procedures are minimally invasive and can be performed in the office without general anesthesia and almost immediate return to normal activities.

 

 

Dr. Bunke Explains Non-surgical Varicose Vein Treatments on San Diego News2015-02-11T20:06:34-08:00

20, 1, 2015

Recognize Signs of Venous Disease

2021-11-04T14:43:12-07:00

Recognize the signs and symptoms of venous disease:

heavy, tired and aching legs

swollen legs and or ankles

cramping in the legs

dull or sharp pain in the calf

varicose veins and spider veins

red or warm veins

itching around the veins

skin changes around the ankles such as pigmentation, brownish discoloration, eczema, new red and blue veins, breakdown of the skin

 

Heaviness

Heavy legs are a common symptom of venous insufficiency and varicose veins.You should see your vascular specialist for any of the above signs and sympto

 

 

 

Recognize Signs of Venous Disease2021-11-04T14:43:12-07:00

How To Reduce Discomfort From Varicose Veins

2021-11-04T14:48:25-07:00

How To Reduce Discomfort From Varicose Veins:stp

Varicose and spider veins may be treated with lifestyle changes or medical procedures.

The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and for some to improve appearance.  Lifestyle changes can ease the symptoms but do not cause the veins to vanish.  These include:

  • Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time:  To keep blood moving when you have to sit or stand for long periods, try these tips: at work, take walking breaks and try walking during your lunch hour. While sitting, try flexing your feet up and down 10 times an hour. When standing, raise yourself up and down on your toes or rock back and forth on your heels.
  • Exercise: Exercising is good for your veins because it improves blood flow. Walking, cycling or swimming are great exercises for vein health. But be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
  • Weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight puts extra pressure on your veins.
  • Leg elevation: Use leg elevation three or four times a day for about 15 minutes at a time. Even elevating your legs on a step stool or ottoman is beneficial. If you need to sit or stand for a long period of time, flexing (bending) your legs occasionally can help keep blood circulating. If you have mild to moderate varicose veins, elevating your legs can help reduce leg swelling and relieve other symptoms.
  • Compression stockings: These elastic stockings squeeze or compress the veins and prevent blood from flowing backward. Compression stockings must be graduated, medical-grade compression to be beneficial. Over-the-counter support hose or TED hose are not adequate to reduce symptoms in venous disease for active patients.
  • Supplements such as horse chestnut and grape seed extract can help reduce symptoms of venous disease
  • Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen
  • ice packs can be applied to veins that are tender to reduce inflammation
How To Reduce Discomfort From Varicose Veins2021-11-04T14:48:25-07:00
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CONTACT INFORMATION

La Jolla/UTC

Vista

Patient Privacy Practices

Privacy Policy

Hippa Privacy Practices
HIPAAOneTM Certified Seal 2

Use the search features below to find articles and insights for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO

La Jolla/ UTC

North County San Diego/ Vista — Endovascular Center
Now Open! Call/Text for Appointments

© Copyright 2010-2024, La Jolla Vein & Vascular | All Rights Reserved

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