10, 3, 2022

Understanding Venous Insufficiency

2022-12-13T14:11:01-08:00

When you become a patient with La Jolla Vein Care, you will go through a screening process, and a vascular evaluation using ultrasound technology to diagnose your venous reflux disease. Chronic venous insufficiency is a disease affecting at least 50 million Americans. It is very common, but unfortunately undiagnosed. Through our venous insufficiency Duplex Ultrasound test, our vein specialists can determine exactly what is going on in the patient’s veins. 

The anatomy and process of venous insufficiency or venous reflux disease: 

One of the major veins that takes the blood to the heart is deep inside the muscles of the thigh and calf called the deep veins. Parallel to this lies the superficial veins inside the legs. Superficial veins dump the blood into the deep vein in the groin area and collectively they take the blood back to the heart. 

The direction of the blood flow begins from the ground up towards the heart. Both deep and superficial have a structure system known as the valves. They function as a safety unit directional valve system. Where the blood can flow upward and not downward and be open or closed off. Similarly the same type of structure is found in your heart with heart valves. 

Over the course of the years, depending on your occupation, family history, pregnancy, surgeries, any trauma or injury to your legs, and any kind of underlying muscular or skeletal problem will contribute to problems with the valves in your legs. The valves, over the course of the years may get farther apart from one another. They will still be able to open and close, but the main problem will be the blood flow will not be able to go in one direction. This causes the veins to become enlarged. As a result,  the valves remain open and the blood to flow upward and also downward. This is known as venous reflux disease or venous insufficiency. 

venous reflux disease

A consultation with one of our vein specialists for chronic venous insufficiency involves taking a detailed history and physical examination in combination with a venous reflux ultrasound study.  Based on your personal findings, a customized treatment plan will be discussed which may include doing nothing, conservative management, or various treatment options based on your individual needs. 

For any more questions about venous disease and the process of diagnosis and treatment, please call us at (858)-550-0330.

Understanding Venous Insufficiency2022-12-13T14:11:01-08:00

28, 1, 2014

Dr. Fronek teaches primary care doctors to care for patients with vein problems

2022-01-04T05:17:54-08:00

Dr. Fronek was recently invited to discuss vein disorders with the Family Medicine Residency Program at Scripps Chula Vista.  The doctors-in-training were excited to learn about the variety of problems that patients have with their veins – including spider veins,  varicose veins,  blood clots, and leg ulcers.  Primary care doctors see patients with vein disorders every day, and yet very few medical schools or residency training programs include any information about these common problems.  Dr. Fronek and Dr. Bunke-Pacquette are committed to sharing their expertise with colleagues and are frequently asked to speak at medical meetings.  Primary care doctors, in particular, can often start patients with vein disorders on conservative treatment, including graduated compression stockings and regular exercise (walking is usually the best exercise for vein disorders), as well as certain supplements such as horse chestnut seed extract, that can alleviate the symptoms that many patients with vein disease suffer from.  Informed primary care doctors can also refer patients to a vein specialist when symptoms aren’t diminished with conservative treatment, if the varicose veins worsen while a patient is using compression and exercise, or if the patient suffers from a venous leg ulcer.

Dr. Fronek teaches primary care doctors to care for patients with vein problems2022-01-04T05:17:54-08:00

16, 8, 2010

The Beauty of Expertise

2021-11-03T21:35:31-07:00

Selecting the right vein specialist is important for receiving the most effective treatment available. Today, veins specialists are called phlebologists. Phlebology is a specialty field of medicine dedicated to diagnosing and treating vein-related conditions. As a result, it’s imperative that whoever is treating varicose or spider veins is board certified by the American Board of Phlebology. To confirm that your vein doctor is qualified, simply go to the American Board of Phlebology website. In the upper right-hand corner, you’ll see a tab that reads FIND AN ABPh CERTIFIED PHYSICIAN. By confirming your doctor is board-certified, you’ll get more than better treatment—you’ll get the peace of mind every patient deserves. It’s the beauty of expertise—and it’s the convenience of having valuable information at your fingertips.

Sincerely,

Executive Team

The Beauty of Expertise2021-11-03T21:35:31-07:00
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