26, 4, 2020

Warm Weather Worsens Leg Symptoms

2020-08-19T01:00:26-07:00

Warm weather can worsen symptoms of varicose veins and venous reflux disease.

This weekend, most of San Diego was blessed with sunny, warm-weather. Warmer weather tends to worsen symptoms of varicose veins, like increased leg heaviness, pain or you may feel that your legs fatigue more quickly during warm weather. For those who have spider veins, they can feel more itchy or burning.  This leads many people to seek leg vein help during warmer months.

The cause: Leg symptoms of varicose veins and venous reflux disease (the underlying cause for varicose veins) tend to worsen in warmer weather because heat causes the surface veins to relax and enlarge. When this happens to unhealthy veins, the blood pools and causes increased pressure within the veins. Increased pressure within in the veins is called venous hypertension. Venous hypertension causes inflammation. Therefore, inflammation causes the veins to feel warm, painful, itchy or burning. Since gravity causes blood to pool around the ankles for many people with venous reflux disease, you may feel symptoms in your ankles rather than the calfs. The skin around the ankles can become itchy, and dry. The best way to alleviate this in the long term is treatment of underlying venous reflux. Conservative management is aimed at reducing or preventing the blood from pooling. This can be accomplished with compression stockings- these may be difficult to tolerate in warm weather. Staying active helps, and when sitting elevate the legs and ice any areas of pain to reduce inflammation.

Warm Weather Worsens Leg Symptoms2020-08-19T01:00:26-07:00

Study Finds Nearly 50% Nurses Have Venous Reflux

2022-01-04T10:10:57-08:00

Women in nursing professions are at high risk for developing varicose veins as it requires physical work and prolonged standing.

It is well known to vein specialists that individuals with occupations that require long periods of standing such as nurses, physicians, other health care workers, retail workers, flight attendants, hairdressers, etc. have a higher incidence of varicose veins. Over the years, many studies have substantiated this, and we know from clinical practice that many of our patients are nurses. Nurses who have 12-hour shifts stand on their legs half the day! Nurses who work with radiation wear heavy lead vests throughout the day.

A recent cross-sectional study at Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal evaluated 181 female nurses for varicose veins and their risk factors. The participants underwent Doppler ultrasound to confirm venous reflux disease and varicose veins, using standard criteria. Out of the 181 nurses, 83 (46%) had varicose veins. In the adjusted model the odds of having varicose veins was 27 times greater with every hour increase in standing time.

Another study in 2018, at a University Hospital in Korea evaluating 414 nurses also showed that standing for long periods of time increased the risk of varicose veins. However, the prevalence of varicose veins among nurses in this study was only 16%. The differences among the two studies may be the average age of the nurses studied, parity, or a number of years in nursing. Increasing age and number of births is also a risk factor for varicose veins.

As a result, we always recommend all our nurses wear compression stockings when at work. Everyone in our practice wears compression stockings on a daily basis (typically a knee-high sock, 20-30mmhg of compression).

1: Shakya R, Karmacharya RM, Shrestha R, Shrestha A. Varicose veins and its risk factors among nurses at Dhulikhel hospital: a cross-sectional study. BMC Nurs.2020 Feb 3;19:8. doi: 10.1186/s12912-020-0401-8.1: Yun MJ, Kim YK, Kang DM, Kim JE, Ha WC, Jung KY, Choi HW. A Study on

2: Prevalence and Risk Factors for Varicose Veins in Nurses at a University
Hospital. Saf Health Work. 2018 Mar;9(1):79-83. DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2017.08.005.
Epub 2017 Aug 24.

Study Finds Nearly 50% Nurses Have Venous Reflux2022-01-04T10:10:57-08:00

Night Cramps Commonly Caused by Varicose Veins

2021-12-31T12:29:50-08:00

Leg cramps occurring at night (nocturnal leg cramps) are a common symptom of venous disease. In fact, in the San Diego Population Study, leg cramps were the second most common symptom in people with the venous disease with a prevalence of 14.3%. Leg aching (17.7%) was the most common complaint and tired and swollen legs were also predominant symptoms.

Healthy veins collect the de-oxygenated blood from the tissues. The venous blood, which is low in oxygen and high in waste products is returned to the heart and lungs where it is replenished with oxygen and nutrients.  In diseased veins, the blood circulates poorly, allowing blood to pool and become stagnant. The exact mechanism that causes cramping in the legs is uncertain.  But, when the cramping is caused by poorly functioning veins, the symptoms are often alleviated by correcting the underlying problem.  Conservative measures, such as elevating the legs, walking regularly, and wearing compression therapy may reduce the frequency of night cramps. Treating the underlying venous insufficiency may be curative.

There are many causes for leg cramps and if you suffer from night cramps it is important to be properly evaluated to determine the cause.  Cramps that occur with exercise are more likely to be associated with a more serious condition. If your muscles cramp with walking for a short time and recover with rest this may indicate arterial disease.  Other causes for leg cramps include muscle injury, thyroid conditions, pregnancy, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration or other causes.

To help identify the cause, it may be helpful to keep a log of daily activities, or change in activities; for example, heavy exertion may indicate a muscular cause or long periods of standing or sitting may favor the venous disease.  A recent study showed that prolonged standing at work may be an important risk factor for varicose veins and nocturnal leg cramps.

Check with your primary care physician to rule out other causes for leg cramps. Blood tests can check for thyroid, kidney and electrolyte conditions.  You may also have undiagnosed venous reflux.

At La Jolla Vein Care, our vascular imaging scanners help us detect vascular causes of leg pain. For example, we can utilize one of our three duplex ultrasound imaging systems to scan for blood clots in the leg veins (deep venous thrombosis), venous insufficiency and identify significant problems in the arterial circulation.

 

Call us for more information about our vascular imaging services at 858-550-0330.

Night Cramps Commonly Caused by Varicose Veins2021-12-31T12:29:50-08:00

Eating for Healthier Veins

2020-08-19T00:45:26-07:00

Foods that are rich in flavinoids may improve symptoms of venous disease. Flavonoids help protect plants from environmental toxins and help repair damage. They can be found in a variety of foods, such as fruits and vegetables. When we eat foods rich in flavonoids, it appears that we also benefit from this “antioxidant” power. In addition to having antioxidant qualities, research shows that flavinoids have other potential influences on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow to the brain and heart, and making blood platelets less sticky and able to clot.Flavinoids are also well known for their ‘venoactive’ effects on the blood vessels and have been proven to reduce symptoms of venous disease such as leg aching, heaviness and swelling.

Foods that are flavinoid rich include cocoa and chocolate, bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, grapes, blueberries, cranberries, apples, peanuts, onions, garlic, tea and red wine.

Remind the cook to use compression socks- long hours of standing in the kitchen can cause leg fatigue, heaviness and swelling.

Eating for Healthier Veins2020-08-19T00:45:26-07:00

Wendy Williams Show Kathy Bates Bring Light to Lymphedema

2021-11-15T11:03:12-08:00

Both Wendy Williams and Kathy Bates Suffer from Lymphedema.

This week’s Wendy Williams Show host, Wendy Williams discussed her struggles with lymphedema with guest, Kathy Bates who also has lymphedema. They both agreed that lymphedema is not given enough attention in medical education and in the medical community. We agree. Our medical speciality and society The American Vein & Lymphatic Society (AVLS) specializes in both vein and lymphatic disorders.

Lymphedema refers to swelling that generally occurs in one of your arms or legs. Sometimes both arms or both legs swell.  Lymphedema is most commonly caused by the removal of or damage to your lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment. It results from a blockage in your lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. The blockage prevents lymph fluid from draining well, and the fluid buildup leads to swelling. In our field, we also see phlebolymphedema, which is lymphedema secondary to chronic venous insufficiency. Venous hypertension can overload the lymphatic transport system, slowing fluid removal and causing subsequent lymphatic edema, in addition to venous edema. The result is swelling in the legs that is greater than venous edema.

n 2016, Kathy Bates was a speaker at our annual congress.   The American Vein & Lymphatic Society (AVLS) hosted what has become the largest and most comprehensive meeting dedicated to venous and lymphatic disorders in the U.S. Bates outspokenly discussed surviving and managing lymphedema after she had breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy.

Lymphedema is not cured but can be managed. In our clinic, we may refer to one of our trusted lymphedema therapists for manual lymphatic drainage and prescribe compression therapy. We also offer lymphatic pump therapy in the office. It is also important to evaluate the deep and superficial venous system prior to initiating therapy.

 

Wendy Williams Show Kathy Bates Bring Light to Lymphedema2021-11-15T11:03:12-08:00

29, 3, 2020

Vein Care Telemedicine during COVID

2020-08-18T22:51:01-07:00

We’re here for you!

telemedicine from home

talk to our board certified doctors, vein specialist from the convenience of your home.

Connect with one of our board certified physicians at the convenience of your home.

While we remain focused on providing exceptional care, we feel it is in everyone’s best interest to move to a contact-free environment. Effective March 19th, 2020  and with a tentative ending on April 26th,  2020, the office will be closed. However, physicians will be available to patients by phone or via video conference (telemedicine) during normal business hours.

Did you know you can start your conservative management now?

Have you had concerns about your legs you have always wanted to discuss or ask about?

Now is the time. You can text us pictures of areas of concern on your leg/s ahead of time.

How to reach us:

To schedule a phone or telemedicine visit with our physicians, or any questions please call us at (858) 550-0330 or email anna@ljvascular.com.

Alternatively, you can reach us with the chat function below or text (858) 295-3347.

We are available between the hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Vein Care Telemedicine during COVID2020-08-18T22:51:01-07:00

28, 9, 2018

Height may be a genetic risk factor for varicose veins, study shows

2020-12-19T04:12:51-08:00

Height may be a genetic risk factor for varicose veins

Tall patients frequently ask if their height contributed to the development of their varicose veins. Now, there may be an answer. A study at Stanford University School of mdexamining patients leg web copyMedicine study found a person’s height to be a significant risk factor for developing varicose veins. The exact reason is unknown. Intuitively, one would think the gravitational forces are greater in the leg veins of tall people. (Interesting side note, giraffes would be expected to develop varicose veins but do not: the reason for this is that their skin is firm, providing support like compression stockings). The correlation between varicose veins and height, may not be a structural or gravity-related issue but rather genetic.

 

“We not only found an association between height and varicose veins, but the genetic studies we did showed a causal link,” said cardiologist and study author Dr. Nicholas Leeper, an associate professor of surgery and cardiovascular medicine at Stanford. “That suggests that the genes and pathways that drive human height are also likely to be causing varicose veins.”

 

Another recent study in Russia, showed a particular gene in ethnic Russians, that was associated with the development of varicose veins, was also responsible for other traits such as rheumatoid arthritis and has a negative impact on human height, an opposite finding from the Stanford study.

 

To read more about the Stanford study, click here. 

 

Height may be a genetic risk factor for varicose veins, study shows2020-12-19T04:12:51-08:00

19, 3, 2017

Are Varicose Veins Inherited?

2021-11-15T13:07:00-08:00

Do You Have Your Mother’s Legs?

mom : daughter inherited varicose veins

Varicose veins may be hereditary. This picture demonstrates a mother and daughter who have the same distribution of varicose veins.

One of the strongest risk factors for varicose veins is a family history. We often see mothers and their daughters, fathers, and sons, siblings, and sometimes the entire family for similar varicose vein issues. This picture demonstrates a mother and her daughter with ironically the same varicose vein pattern of distribution. Don’t want your mother’s legs? Stay on top of your vein condition and have them treated or maintenance treatment to avoid bulging varicosities.

Are Varicose Veins Inherited?2021-11-15T13:07:00-08:00
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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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