South Florida is known for its year-long balmy temperatures. Because of the heat, shorts, skirts and dresses are fashion staples – a way for men and women to show off their sexy legs.
But some folks will keep their legs hidden because of embarrassing varicose veins or spider veins. 40 million Americans in all are affected.
Symptoms
Varicose veins are blue, twisted and thick veins that typically develop on the calves or lower legs. Not only are these veins unattractive but they can hurt. Symptoms of varicose veins include aching, debilitating pain, swelling and rashes.
When valves in the legs' superficial veins stop closing, gravity pulls blood back down and pools inside the veins. This is called venous insufficiency.
Varicose veins affect both men and women over 50. But below the age of 50, more women have them.
Varicose Veins Causes
The most common reasons for varicose veins are:
• Heredity
• Multiple Pregnancies
• Obesity
• History of Blood Clots
Spider Veins Causes
Spider veins can be caused by the backup of blood. They can also be caused by hormone changes, exposure to the sun, and injuries.
Prevention
There are steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing both spider and varicose veins. These are things that can also help to ease the discomfort from the ones you already have:
• Wear Sunscreen
• Exercise/Focus on strengthening the legs
• Don’t cross legs
• Don’t stand for long periods of time
• Eat a high fiber diet
• Avoid wearing high heels
Treatments
Some spider veins and varicose veins cannot be prevented. When you get them, exercising, elevating the legs and wearing support stockings can help to relieve the symptoms of varicose veins. But when these and the other suggestions above do not work, surgery may bring relief.
At South Florida Vascular Associates, we treat vascular problems in minimally invasive ways. Our team of interventional radiologists offers the most advanced procedures in our state-of-the-Art endovascular suites.
If you have varicose or spider veins and want to know your treatment options, call South Florida Vascular Associates today at 954-573-2929.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Preventing Peripheral Artery Disease
America’s population is aging and is contributing to the increasing health care costs in the country. One of the most prevalent conditions affecting America’s older population is Peripheral Artery Disease or PAD.
One in five people over age 60 has it - an estimated 8 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control. PAD is a narrowing of the arteries caused by a plaque buildup. This limits blood flow to your head, organs and limbs which can potentially be life threatening.
Symptoms and Complications
PAD can go undetected for years, slowly and silently developing in your body. UW Medicine Health has some very important information on what you can do to prevent PAD. The most common cause of PAD is hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. If the arteries that deliver blood to the legs are blocked, this will cause debilitating leg pain, ulcers and can lead to amputation. The most common cause of stroke is blocked arteries to the brain. And when PAD affects arteries to the kidneys, this can lead to severe high blood pressure and kidney failure.
Common risk factors include:
• Older than 60
• Ethnicity- more African Americans are affected
• Family History
• High Cholesterol
• High Blood Pressure
• High blood sugars and diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking/History of Smoking
Treatment Options
In some cases, lifestyle changes are enough to improve the condition. If routine screenings of Peripheral Artery Disease for blood pressure, blood cholesterol, lipids and sugar levels show you are at risk for PAD, medications are often necessary. When medication does not work, surgery is needed to open up the arteries.
Endovascular Surgery
The doctors at South Florida Vascular Associates focus on vascular problems and treating them in minimally invasive ways. This rapidly growing area of medicine is known as interventional radiology. 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, with offices in Coconut Creek, Boynton Beach and Plantation, we are very successful treating patients with PAD because we use the latest multidisciplinary approaches that treat the whole patient. Our patients are also treated in our unique office setting which has 3 sophisticated endovascular surgery suites where the majority of our patients are treated. SFVA is one of few interventional radiology practices in the US where patients can be treated in the comfort of an office setting.
If you’re suffering from PAD, the doctors at SFVA can help. Contact us today for an appointment - (954) 725-4141.
One in five people over age 60 has it - an estimated 8 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control. PAD is a narrowing of the arteries caused by a plaque buildup. This limits blood flow to your head, organs and limbs which can potentially be life threatening.
Symptoms and Complications
PAD can go undetected for years, slowly and silently developing in your body. UW Medicine Health has some very important information on what you can do to prevent PAD. The most common cause of PAD is hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. If the arteries that deliver blood to the legs are blocked, this will cause debilitating leg pain, ulcers and can lead to amputation. The most common cause of stroke is blocked arteries to the brain. And when PAD affects arteries to the kidneys, this can lead to severe high blood pressure and kidney failure.
Common risk factors include:
• Older than 60
• Ethnicity- more African Americans are affected
• Family History
• High Cholesterol
• High Blood Pressure
• High blood sugars and diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking/History of Smoking
Treatment Options
In some cases, lifestyle changes are enough to improve the condition. If routine screenings of Peripheral Artery Disease for blood pressure, blood cholesterol, lipids and sugar levels show you are at risk for PAD, medications are often necessary. When medication does not work, surgery is needed to open up the arteries.
Endovascular Surgery
The doctors at South Florida Vascular Associates focus on vascular problems and treating them in minimally invasive ways. This rapidly growing area of medicine is known as interventional radiology. 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, with offices in Coconut Creek, Boynton Beach and Plantation, we are very successful treating patients with PAD because we use the latest multidisciplinary approaches that treat the whole patient. Our patients are also treated in our unique office setting which has 3 sophisticated endovascular surgery suites where the majority of our patients are treated. SFVA is one of few interventional radiology practices in the US where patients can be treated in the comfort of an office setting.
If you’re suffering from PAD, the doctors at SFVA can help. Contact us today for an appointment - (954) 725-4141.
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