12, 5, 2023

Patient Transformation: Spider Veins

2023-02-15T19:46:36-08:00

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are the fine, thread-like reddish veins at the surface of the skin. These veins are not healthy. Veins are often considered a cosmetic issue, but they can be associated with underlying feeder veins, not visible to the naked eye.  Feeder veins are the ‘blue veins’ also known as ‘reticular veins,’ that give rise to spider veins. Spider veins may also be a sign of underlying venous insufficiency. For example, spider veins located in the inner ankles and inner thighs can indicate an underlying problem with the saphenous vein. As a result, an ultrasound examination may be recommended to identify and effectively treat the underlying source of these veins.

What are the symptoms?

Vein conditions affect people differently. For some, these veins can be a painless cosmetic concern, and for others they may cause symptoms. The most common symptoms of spider veins are burning, throbbing, and localized pain. They can also feel hot and itchy and bleed.

What causes them?

Spider veins in the legs are caused by the same condition that causes varicose veins. Leaky vein valves allow blood to pool within the veins causing them to stretch and become enlarged. These veins on other areas of the body, such as the face, and chest can be caused by sun damage, hormone changes or liver disease. Hormones, such as with pregnancy, birth control or hormone replacement therapy can weaken the vein wall.

Below you can see the transformation of 3 of our patients who received vein treatment.

 

spider spider 12 BA SV spider DSCF7674 fotor scaled 1

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 


Patient Transformation: Spider Veins2023-02-15T19:46:36-08:00

27, 4, 2022

3 Reasons to Wear Compression Stockings

2022-04-15T15:40:11-07:00

Why Compression Stockings:

Compression stockings are an important part of the overall healing process. As a result, you’ll need to wear the stockings following the vein treatments from La Jolla Vein Care to ensure you get the best outcomes. Physiologically, compression therapy increases venous blood flow back to the heart, reduces reflux in diseased veins, increases venous blood flow, reduces elevated water content of the tissue, reduces inflammation, and sustains reparative processes. In short, compression therapy not only improves results after treatment, but it also improves blood flow and reduces symptoms and swelling in the legs. 

 

Compression stockings offer style after vein treatment:

In the past, patients recovering from varicose vein treatments were limited in both mobility and style. After a procedure, patients were required to wear compression stockings in a lovely shade of beige. This might work if you’re looking to hang around the house for a couple months. If you’re ready to live an active life while you heal, however, you can get medical grade compression stockings that are fashionable, stylish, and comfortable.  At La Jolla Vein Care, you get more than a safe and effective alternative to surgery—you get access to customized compression stockings in a variety of styles from the leading brands, including Sigvaris, Medi, ComfoMed, Ames Walker, and JOBST.  While we are more than happy to order beige stockings for you, it’s good to know that you have options—the option to look good, feel good, and heal in style.

Compression stockings help prevent deep vein thrombosis

Stay moving, avoid prolonged sitting. For example, when flying or traveling, the risk of DVT is 1% on a long haul flight (greater than 6 hours).  

To minimize this risk, you should wear compression stockings (which helps increase the blood flow in the legs), stay hydrated, avoid excessive alcohol, use the calf muscles- walk about the cabin and frequently pump the calf muscles by doing foot lifts.

During pregnancy, compression should be worn and after pregnancy, when the risk of DVT is highest (the likelihood of a blood clot postpartum is 40-65 for every 10,000 women).

 

Compression stockings increase athletic performance: 

Compression is known for improving circulation after the removal of varicose veins. But can they improve athletic performance? The answer is a resounding yes. According to Medi, compression sport stockings are clinically proven to increase performance. Over the course of a marathon, for example, running time is reduced by approximately five minutes while the exertion on your muscles is reduced by roughly six percent. Moreover, a study by Technische Universität Dresden reveals that blood circulation is 30% higher at rest after engaging in certain athletic activities when wearing compression sport stockings. So whether you’re a jogger checking out the scenery or a hard-core athlete training for a marathon, there’s something to help you reach your peak.

 

3 Reasons to Wear Compression Stockings2022-04-15T15:40:11-07:00

29, 3, 2017

What Do Compression Stockings Do?

2020-12-19T04:25:38-08:00

You wear compression stockings to improve blood flow in your legs.  Compression stockings gently squeeze your legs to move blood up your legs. This helps prevent leg swelling and, to a lesser extent, blood clots.

 

image of person putting on compression stockings

person putting on compression stockings

If you have varicose veins spider veins, or have just had surgery, your health care provider may prescribe compression stockings.

Wearing stockings helps with:

  • Aching and heavy feeling in legs
  • Swelling in legs
  • Preventing blood clots, primarily after surgery or injury when you are less active

source:https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000597.htm

What Do Compression Stockings Do?2020-12-19T04:25:38-08:00

30, 7, 2014

Should I Wear Compression When I Travel to Prevent a DVT?

2021-11-05T13:04:03-07:00

Should I Wear Compression When I Travel to Prevent a DVT?

travel

Using compression stockings during travel can reduce the risk of developing a flight-related deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Yes. Compression stockings are great to use during air travel and long trips where you will be sitting for long periods of time. When you sit for long periods of time you are more at risk of blood clots and swelling. Compression stockings can reduce your risks and prevent swelling.  Ask your doctor the strength that is recommended for you.

Should I Wear Compression When I Travel to Prevent a DVT?2021-11-05T13:04:03-07:00

2, 6, 2014

How does graduated compression help with the management of varicose veins?

2021-11-04T16:53:44-07:00

 

Graduated compression therapy is used to treat vein disorders such as varicose veins, venous leg ulcer, venous insufficiency, venous reflux disease, swelling, and after vein treatments.  They work by applying external pressure to your legs reducing venous pressure. 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. Graduated compression stockings are great to use if your want to increase circulation, support your leg veins, and want to reduce uncomfortable leg symptoms such as swelling, tired and achy feeling legs.

graduated_compression_leg_1Over-the-counter support hose or TED hose are not adequate to reduce symptoms in venous disease for active patients. More questions about compression therapy can be answered at compressrx.com.

How does graduated compression help with the management of varicose veins?2021-11-04T16:53:44-07:00

1, 11, 2013

Dr. Oz discusses DVT (blood clots in the veins)

2013-11-01T15:22:46-07:00

Yesterday, the Emmy award-winning television show, Dr. Oz featured information about blood clots in the veins, specifically, deep venous thrombosis (DVT).  He demonstrated how they can break off and travel to the heart and lungs. But, what was missing from this segment was more information about what causes DVT and how can you prevent them.

What are some of the most common causes of DVT?

DVT:  There are many causes of DVT. You can categorize these into three main groups.   (Medically, these 3 risk factors for DVT are collectively called Virchow’s Triad)

A)   Decreased movement of blood (venous stasis),

  1. Decreased movement of blood can be caused by immobilization: sedentary, prolonged sitting, long plane flights or car trips, or post-surgery being inactive, and bed rest like in hospitals or nursing homes. This is where compression is crucial to preventing blood clots since the external compression increases the venous return back to the heart and reduces pooling. Venous insufficiency allows blood to pool.

B)   Increased tendency to clot (hypercoagulability)

  1. Temporary conditions such as pregnancy, cancer and obesity cause the blood to become hypercoagulable. The use of oral contraceptives, estrogens hormone replacement, testosterone, increase the risk of blood clots.
    • The likelihood of a blood clot during pregnancy is 5-20 for every 10,000 women.
    • The likelihood of a blood clot post partum is 40-65 for every 10,000 women.
  2. Genetic conditions that are inherited can increase the risk of blood clots. For example, Factor V Leiden and antiphospholipid antibody. 5% of the population carry one copy of the Factor V Leiden mutation.

C)   Damage to the blood vessel wall

  1. Trauma, injury to the leg, surgery

What can you do to prevent DVT?

Stay moving, avoid prolonged sitting. For example, when flying or traveling, the risk of DVT is 1% on a long haul flight (greater than 6 hours).  To minimize this risk, you should wear compression stockings (which helps increase the blood flow in the legs), stay hydrated, avoid excessive alcohol, use the calf muscles- walk about the cabin and frequently pump the calf muscles by doing foot lifts.

During pregnancy, compression stockings should be worn and after pregnancy, when the risk of DVT is highest (the likelihood of a blood clot post partum is 40-65 for every 10,000 women).

Your doctor can recommend to you what type of compression socks to use.  For more information about compression socks, go to compressrx.com.

Dr. Oz discusses DVT (blood clots in the veins)2013-11-01T15:22:46-07:00

16, 9, 2010

Peak Performance

2010-09-16T02:48:47-07:00

Compression stockings are known for improving circulation after the removal of varicose veins. But can they improve athletic performance? The answer is a resounding yes. According to Medi, compression sport stockings are clinically proven in increase performance. Over the course of a marathon, for example, running time is reduced by approximately five minutes while the exertion on your muscles is reduced by roughly six percent. Moreover, a study by Technische Universität Dresden reveals that blood circulation is 30% higher at rest after engaging in certain athletic activities when wearing compression sport stockings. So whether you’re a jogger checking out the scenery or a hard-core athlete training for a marathon, there’s something to help you reach your peak.

Sincerely,

Executive Team

Peak Performance2010-09-16T02:48:47-07:00

27, 8, 2010

Getting Results

2010-08-27T23:41:57-07:00

Compression is important part of the overall healing process. As a result, you’ll need to wear compression stockings following the treatment to ensure you get the best outcomes. Physiologically, compression therapy increases venous blood flow back to the heart, reduces reflux in diseased veins, increases venous blood flow, reduces elevated water content of the tissue, reduces inflammation, and sustains reparative processes. In short, compression therapy not only improves results after treatment, but it also improves blood flow and reduces symptoms and swelling in the legs. Get treated, start healing, and get good results.

Sincerely,

Executive Team

Getting Results2010-08-27T23:41:57-07:00

Taking Flight

2010-08-12T20:12:54-07:00

Patients traveling from different states or countries to seek treatment at La Jolla Vein Care can return to the air within 24-hours after the procedure (although it’s understandable if the stay is extended to take in the beautiful sights of San Diego). Although a patient can easily resume most day-to-day activities right after treatment, it’s recommended to avoid air travel for the first 24-hours. Once in the air, however, it’s important to wear the prescribed compression stockings and work on increasing the circulation in your legs. To do this, please make sure to pump the calf muscles regularly and get up from your chair every two hours. It’s the best way to facilitate healing in the air—and it’s a sure fire way to avoid economy class syndrome.

Sincerely,

Executive Team

Taking Flight2010-08-12T20:12:54-07:00
Go to Top