One-third of American women experience some type of pelvic health disorder by the time they're 60. And about 600,000 women every year have a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the uterus and its troubling symptoms. Overall, an estimated 20 million women have had a hysterectomy.
Do you know if you have painful periods with excessive bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, or other pelvic health problems, there are alternatives to hysterectomy?
Fibroid tumors, usually benign, are typically found on the smooth muscles of the uterus, and can cause pelvic pain, infertility, and heavy menstrual bleeding. Uterine fibroids are a major reason why women have hysterectomies, accounting for between 177,000 and 366,000 of the annual total.
At South Florida Vascular Associates we offer a procedure, Uterine artery embolization (UAE) which is a minimally invasive procedure done in our in-office operating suites that offer an alternative to traditional surgical removal (hysterectomy) of uterine fibroids. Instead of removing the uterus, the UAE technique shrinks fibroids by blocking off their blood supply. The blood supply is blocked by injecting very small particles through an image- guided catheter into the arteries that supply the fibroids. The particles stick to the vessel wall and cause a clot to develop, blocking off the blood supply. Once the blood supply is gone, the fibroids shrink and symptoms usually decrease or disappear.
In many cases, a patient can have the UAE technique which is an outpatient procedure as opposed to a hysterectomy. UAE is minimally invasive, the recovery is much easier, less painful and no need for hospitalization. If you have been told that you need a hysterectomy, before undergoing the knife, contact our office for a consultation by one of our board certified interventional radiologists, Dr. William Julien, Dr. Warren Swee, or Dr. Curtis Anderson to evaluate your symptoms and medical history and determine whether you are a candidate for UAE. We have 3 convenient locations Coconut Creek, Boynton Beach and Plantation.
You may be a candidate for uterine artery embolization if you experience these symptoms:
• Anemia (low blood count) from the excessive uterine bleeding
• Abdominal/pelvic fullness or pain
• An enlarged uterus
• Abnormally enlarged abdominal size
• Infertility
• Bladder pressure leading to a constant urge to urinate
• Pressure on the bowel, leading to constipation and bloating
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain in the back or legs as the fibroids press on nerves that supply the pelvis and legs
Monday, January 27, 2014
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Minimally Invasive Treatments for Varicose and Spider Veins
Vein disease is said to affect nearly 50 percent of men and women in the United States. That means almost half the American population is suffering with some sort of venous condition. Luckily, we now have simple, fast and painless procedures to end your discomfort, boost your self-esteem from walking around with unsightly legs and get you back to walking around without pain.
Causes of vein disease
• Heredity. Having a family member with prominent veins may increase the risk of you developing them.
• Age. The normal wear and tear of aging may cause valves in the veins to weaken and not work as well.
• Gender. Women are two to three times more likely to develop spider veins than men. Changes in hormones due to puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or taking birth control pills may increase a woman's risk of developing spider veins.
• Overweight and obesity. Having extra weight on the body can put additional pressure on the veins.
• Prolonged standing or sitting. This is particularly true with legs bent or crossed. When standing or sitting with legs bent or crossed, the veins have to work harder to pump the blood up to the heart.
Tired, achy and swollen legs might be symptoms of vein disease, such as varicose veins that are deeper in the legs. Not only are varicose veins unpleasant to look at, they can also become a serious problem so if you have varicose veins it is important for you to have a vascular doctor look at them to prevent more serious complications.
Spider and varicose veins are the result of trapped blood in the veins and are essentially visible signs of vein disease, whether or not you experience other symptoms. They don’t usually present a problem on their own, but there may be a more serious problem lurking. Poor circulation, blood clots and deep vein thrombosis are just a few of the conditions that may or may not cause symptoms, but can worsen over time and become life-threatening if they’re left untreated.
Most procedures available to you these days are minimally invasive, which means they’re fast and convenient. Treatments are done in our office and usually take under 1 hour. There is little, if any, down time, so depending on the treatment you need, you can have treatment during your lunch hour and return to work. Additionally, your insurance provider may cover some of costs of your treatment. One of our board certified endovascular surgeons will work with you to create a personalized plan of action for treating your veins.
Contact South Florida Vascular Associates today and ask about Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) for varicose veins and sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins. You will be happy you did!
Causes of vein disease
• Heredity. Having a family member with prominent veins may increase the risk of you developing them.
• Age. The normal wear and tear of aging may cause valves in the veins to weaken and not work as well.
• Gender. Women are two to three times more likely to develop spider veins than men. Changes in hormones due to puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or taking birth control pills may increase a woman's risk of developing spider veins.
• Overweight and obesity. Having extra weight on the body can put additional pressure on the veins.
• Prolonged standing or sitting. This is particularly true with legs bent or crossed. When standing or sitting with legs bent or crossed, the veins have to work harder to pump the blood up to the heart.
Tired, achy and swollen legs might be symptoms of vein disease, such as varicose veins that are deeper in the legs. Not only are varicose veins unpleasant to look at, they can also become a serious problem so if you have varicose veins it is important for you to have a vascular doctor look at them to prevent more serious complications.
Spider and varicose veins are the result of trapped blood in the veins and are essentially visible signs of vein disease, whether or not you experience other symptoms. They don’t usually present a problem on their own, but there may be a more serious problem lurking. Poor circulation, blood clots and deep vein thrombosis are just a few of the conditions that may or may not cause symptoms, but can worsen over time and become life-threatening if they’re left untreated.
Most procedures available to you these days are minimally invasive, which means they’re fast and convenient. Treatments are done in our office and usually take under 1 hour. There is little, if any, down time, so depending on the treatment you need, you can have treatment during your lunch hour and return to work. Additionally, your insurance provider may cover some of costs of your treatment. One of our board certified endovascular surgeons will work with you to create a personalized plan of action for treating your veins.
Contact South Florida Vascular Associates today and ask about Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) for varicose veins and sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins. You will be happy you did!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Make a Big Difference When it Comes to Preventing Blocked Arteries
Blocked arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, can have serious effects on the entire body, but fortunately, if you pay close attention to risk factors, dietary factors and exercise, you can potentially prevent this from happening.
Atherosclerosis is the process by which the artery lining becomes hardened and develops plaque buildup that eventually leads to obstruction of normal blood flow through the arteries to the extremities causing peripheral artery disease, PAD.
Coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the United States, occurs when the arteries that supply blood to heart muscle become hardened and narrowed. More than 7 million Americans die each year from CAD.
About 10 million Americans have PAD, a condition that puts them at four to five times higher risk of heart attack or stroke. In PAD, narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, often the legs, but can also affect arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head, arms, kidneys and stomach.
Symptoms can be silent
Atherosclerosis in general can be difficult to diagnose because well over 50 percent of people with coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease have no symptoms.
Diagnosis can be made in several ways. If a patient has two or more risk factors, a stress test might be ordered. Vascular studies may be done to look for reduced blood flow in the neck or leg. In addition, if you are a smoker, stop smoking now. If you are diabetic be sure to eat properly and manage your statin medication to reduce cholesterol. And exercise, exercise, exercise! Exercise is one of the best “medicines” to maintain a healthy body.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Being older than age 75
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Obesity
• A family history of heart disease
Atherosclerosis is the process by which the artery lining becomes hardened and develops plaque buildup that eventually leads to obstruction of normal blood flow through the arteries to the extremities causing peripheral artery disease, PAD.
Coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the United States, occurs when the arteries that supply blood to heart muscle become hardened and narrowed. More than 7 million Americans die each year from CAD.
About 10 million Americans have PAD, a condition that puts them at four to five times higher risk of heart attack or stroke. In PAD, narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, often the legs, but can also affect arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head, arms, kidneys and stomach.
Symptoms can be silent
Atherosclerosis in general can be difficult to diagnose because well over 50 percent of people with coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease have no symptoms.
Diagnosis can be made in several ways. If a patient has two or more risk factors, a stress test might be ordered. Vascular studies may be done to look for reduced blood flow in the neck or leg. In addition, if you are a smoker, stop smoking now. If you are diabetic be sure to eat properly and manage your statin medication to reduce cholesterol. And exercise, exercise, exercise! Exercise is one of the best “medicines” to maintain a healthy body.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Being older than age 75
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Obesity
• A family history of heart disease
Friday, November 22, 2013
SFVA Is Awarded AvMed’s Medicare High Performance Network for 2014
AvMed Medicare Members Benefit by Lower or No Co-payment for Medical Services
South Florida Vascular Associates is pleased to announce that they have been awarded AvMed’s Medicare High Performance Network (HPN) for 2014. This high performance program compares physicians and groups of similar specialties who meet or exceed AvMed’s quality of care and cost efficiency criteria. The HPN award is in recognition of our exemplary performance in areas such as proper insurance coding, cost efficiencies or other clinical patient care standards.
One major benefit of achieving this award is the ability to offer AvMed members a lower or no co-payment for medical services. AvMed members who visit non- HPN designated providers will incur higher co-payments. The award will remain in place until 2016.
We thank our AvMed medicare patients for chosing our practice and we look forward to providing you with high quality medical care for many years to come.
William Julien, MD
Warren Swee, MD, MPH
Curtis Anderson, MD, PhD
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Diabetics Who Suffer from Peripheral Artery Disease Can Be at Risk of Heart Attack: Monitor Your Blood Pressure and Keep it Low
In peripheral arterial disease (PAD), the blood vessels in the legs are narrowed by fatty deposits, a condition known as atherosclerosis. PAD is a risk factor for heart attacks, because the atherosclerosis most likely also occurs in the coronary arteries.
Researchers at the University of Colorado studied a group of 950 people with diabetes, which is a commonly associated with PAD. In the study, 480 people had normal blood pressure and 53 of them had PAD. The participants took either a placebo or a blood pressure lowering drug. In the first group, blood pressure went down to an average of 137/81 and in the second group the level was 128/75. It is recommended by The American Heart Association that people with diabetes maintain a blood pressure of less than 130/80.
In the study, 22 patients with PAD were in the drug group and 31 in the placebo group. In patients with PAD, 12 heart attacks occurred among those in the placebo group and only three in the group on blood pressure lowering drugs. Measurement of blood flow in the legs showed that even when blood flow was restricted by severe atherosclerosis, blood pressure lowering medication reduced heart attack risk. The study reinforces the importance of blood pressure control in people with diabetes.
How does high blood pressure affect your arteries?
High blood pressure increases your risk of having PAD. Over time, high blood pressure damages the wall of the arteries. As a result, the arteries become thick, hard, narrow and rough inside, making it harder for the blood to flow.
High blood pressure also increases your risk for having a heart attack, stroke, eye problems and kidney disease. Controlling your blood pressure will lower your chances of having PAD, a heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
It’s always a good idea to be educated and proactive about your health. Many things can affect your blood pressure, including the foods you eat, your intake of salt or sodium, your weight, your level of physical activity, your alcohol intake, whether or not you smoke, and how you handle stress. Make the proper choices to keep healthy and be sure to visit your doctor for annual check-ups.
Researchers at the University of Colorado studied a group of 950 people with diabetes, which is a commonly associated with PAD. In the study, 480 people had normal blood pressure and 53 of them had PAD. The participants took either a placebo or a blood pressure lowering drug. In the first group, blood pressure went down to an average of 137/81 and in the second group the level was 128/75. It is recommended by The American Heart Association that people with diabetes maintain a blood pressure of less than 130/80.
In the study, 22 patients with PAD were in the drug group and 31 in the placebo group. In patients with PAD, 12 heart attacks occurred among those in the placebo group and only three in the group on blood pressure lowering drugs. Measurement of blood flow in the legs showed that even when blood flow was restricted by severe atherosclerosis, blood pressure lowering medication reduced heart attack risk. The study reinforces the importance of blood pressure control in people with diabetes.
How does high blood pressure affect your arteries?
High blood pressure increases your risk of having PAD. Over time, high blood pressure damages the wall of the arteries. As a result, the arteries become thick, hard, narrow and rough inside, making it harder for the blood to flow.
High blood pressure also increases your risk for having a heart attack, stroke, eye problems and kidney disease. Controlling your blood pressure will lower your chances of having PAD, a heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
It’s always a good idea to be educated and proactive about your health. Many things can affect your blood pressure, including the foods you eat, your intake of salt or sodium, your weight, your level of physical activity, your alcohol intake, whether or not you smoke, and how you handle stress. Make the proper choices to keep healthy and be sure to visit your doctor for annual check-ups.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Peripheral Artery Disease: Screening and Early Treatment Can Save your Legs and your Life
Do you experience frequent leg cramps, leg pain when walking and slow-to-heal sores on your feet? Do you know these symptoms can also be symptoms of a serious disease?
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) occurs when there is narrowing of the blood vessels (arteries) outside of the heart. Most frequently, PAD affects the arteries in the pelvis and legs, but it can also affect the arteries in the arms, kidneys and stomach, as well as the aorta, a major blood vessel that comes from the heart and supplies blood to the rest of the body. PAD in the legs occurs when the leg arteries become clogged with fatty deposits that can reduce blood flow to the legs and feet and, if left untreated, amputation may be necessary in severe cases.
PAD can also be a red flag that the same fatty deposit build-up is happening in blood vessels elsewhere in your body, putting you at a risk for having a heart attack or stroke. PAD affects 12 to 20 percent of Americans age 65 or older, yet only one-third of them have any symptoms, according to the American Heart Association. Even those who do experience PAD symptoms often fail to mention them to their doctor, so their PAD is left untreated.
Symptoms of PAD can include: leg pain when walking, foot or toe pain that disturbs sleep, a decrease in body temperature in the lower leg or foot, sores on legs or feet that are slow to heal, a change in the skin color of the legs or feet, and slower hair and toenail growth.
Very often people think their chronic leg pain is due to arthritis or part of the aging process, so their PAD goes undiagnosed. The earlier you can get diagnosis of PAD, the better chance you have of restoring the blood flow in the legs and avoiding more serious problems.
One of the most common tests for PAD is called ankle-brachial index (ABI), a simple, non-invasive test that can be done right in our office. In a typical ABI test a blood pressure cuff is used to measure the blood pressure in both arms and ankles at rest and then again after exercise. Specific changes in the blood pressure between rest and exercise can determine if a patient has PAD. In addition, other tests may include a review of your medical history to understand issues such as family history, diet and smoking habits – all of which can contribute to your risk of having PAD.
While PAD can become a very serious condition if left untreated, it also can be successfully treated through a number of methods. Many patients are helped by simply increasing their exercise and adopting a low fat diet. Some patients may need to take blood pressure or cholesterol-lowering medications, or blood thinners. For stubborn blockages, an atherectomy proecdure may be needed to drill away the plaque from inside the vessel and a balloon catheter may be inserted through a small incision in an artery to the location of the blockage and inflated to open the vessel. A stent - a tiny metal tube - may also be used to hold the artery open.
If you are experiencing any symptoms mentioned in this blog, please contact our office to schedule an appointment for an evaluation by one of our board certified endovascular surgeons. We have 3 office locations Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek and Plantation for your convenience. South Florida Vascular Associates is equipped with 3 in-office endovascular suites where most of our patients’ procedures are done in the comfort of our office. Easy in and easy discharge.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) occurs when there is narrowing of the blood vessels (arteries) outside of the heart. Most frequently, PAD affects the arteries in the pelvis and legs, but it can also affect the arteries in the arms, kidneys and stomach, as well as the aorta, a major blood vessel that comes from the heart and supplies blood to the rest of the body. PAD in the legs occurs when the leg arteries become clogged with fatty deposits that can reduce blood flow to the legs and feet and, if left untreated, amputation may be necessary in severe cases.
PAD can also be a red flag that the same fatty deposit build-up is happening in blood vessels elsewhere in your body, putting you at a risk for having a heart attack or stroke. PAD affects 12 to 20 percent of Americans age 65 or older, yet only one-third of them have any symptoms, according to the American Heart Association. Even those who do experience PAD symptoms often fail to mention them to their doctor, so their PAD is left untreated.
Symptoms of PAD can include: leg pain when walking, foot or toe pain that disturbs sleep, a decrease in body temperature in the lower leg or foot, sores on legs or feet that are slow to heal, a change in the skin color of the legs or feet, and slower hair and toenail growth.
Very often people think their chronic leg pain is due to arthritis or part of the aging process, so their PAD goes undiagnosed. The earlier you can get diagnosis of PAD, the better chance you have of restoring the blood flow in the legs and avoiding more serious problems.
One of the most common tests for PAD is called ankle-brachial index (ABI), a simple, non-invasive test that can be done right in our office. In a typical ABI test a blood pressure cuff is used to measure the blood pressure in both arms and ankles at rest and then again after exercise. Specific changes in the blood pressure between rest and exercise can determine if a patient has PAD. In addition, other tests may include a review of your medical history to understand issues such as family history, diet and smoking habits – all of which can contribute to your risk of having PAD.
While PAD can become a very serious condition if left untreated, it also can be successfully treated through a number of methods. Many patients are helped by simply increasing their exercise and adopting a low fat diet. Some patients may need to take blood pressure or cholesterol-lowering medications, or blood thinners. For stubborn blockages, an atherectomy proecdure may be needed to drill away the plaque from inside the vessel and a balloon catheter may be inserted through a small incision in an artery to the location of the blockage and inflated to open the vessel. A stent - a tiny metal tube - may also be used to hold the artery open.
If you are experiencing any symptoms mentioned in this blog, please contact our office to schedule an appointment for an evaluation by one of our board certified endovascular surgeons. We have 3 office locations Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek and Plantation for your convenience. South Florida Vascular Associates is equipped with 3 in-office endovascular suites where most of our patients’ procedures are done in the comfort of our office. Easy in and easy discharge.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Walking Relieves Leg Pain Caused by Peripheral Artery Disease
We know how important walking can be for overall health. A new study now shows it can also help reduce leg pain in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease. 12 million Americans have PAD and 4 million of those patients suffer with leg pain.
A study released in July’s Journal of the American Medical Association, followed nearly 200 patients on a 6-month intervention program that included part of the group walking 5 days a week for 50 minutes. Patients also spent one day a week in a support group for 45 minutes.
Most walkers increased speed and endurance. The results showed that supervised walking on the treadmill improves PAD symptoms as much or more than surgery.
Researchers believe the support group combined with the exercise was a key part of patient success. Those not assigned to exercise — who attended weekly health lectures instead — actually grew weaker, walking 30 feet less than when they started.
At South Florida Vascular Associates we encourage a healthy lifestyle as part of the overall treatment for PAD. Our expert interventional radiologists develop a specific treatment plan for patients with vascular problems. At SFVA we choose to treat patients in minimally invasive ways whenever possible.
The minimally invasive techniques used by interventional radiologists often replace open surgical procedures. This means smaller incisions, less risk, less pain and shorter recovery time for patients.
At South Florida Vascular Associates many of our patients are treated right in out Coconut Creek office in a sophisticated endovascular surgery suite – one of the first of its kind in the country. If you’re suffering from any vascular disease, the doctors at SFVA can help. We have 3 office locations for your convenience. Coconut Creek, Boynton Beach and Plantation. Contact us today for an appointment - (954) 725-4141.
A study released in July’s Journal of the American Medical Association, followed nearly 200 patients on a 6-month intervention program that included part of the group walking 5 days a week for 50 minutes. Patients also spent one day a week in a support group for 45 minutes.
Most walkers increased speed and endurance. The results showed that supervised walking on the treadmill improves PAD symptoms as much or more than surgery.
Researchers believe the support group combined with the exercise was a key part of patient success. Those not assigned to exercise — who attended weekly health lectures instead — actually grew weaker, walking 30 feet less than when they started.
At South Florida Vascular Associates we encourage a healthy lifestyle as part of the overall treatment for PAD. Our expert interventional radiologists develop a specific treatment plan for patients with vascular problems. At SFVA we choose to treat patients in minimally invasive ways whenever possible.
The minimally invasive techniques used by interventional radiologists often replace open surgical procedures. This means smaller incisions, less risk, less pain and shorter recovery time for patients.
At South Florida Vascular Associates many of our patients are treated right in out Coconut Creek office in a sophisticated endovascular surgery suite – one of the first of its kind in the country. If you’re suffering from any vascular disease, the doctors at SFVA can help. We have 3 office locations for your convenience. Coconut Creek, Boynton Beach and Plantation. Contact us today for an appointment - (954) 725-4141.
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