by Lexington Vein Institute | May 15, 2020 | Blog, Sclerotherapy
Veins play an essential role when it comes to circulating blood in the body, bringing blood from different parts of the body back to the heart. However, as people age, issues can start to appear in the veins and cause a range of difficulties. In fact, many Americans in the United States suffer from a variety of vein diseases. Early symptoms of vein diseases may appear minor. However, they can become much more serious and sometimes even life-threatening if they are not treated properly. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical advice as soon as the symptoms start to appear.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy treatment is a preferred medical treatment that utilizes an injection of a solution, known as sclerosing agents, to eliminate spider veins, reticular and small varicose veins using a fine needle. In addition to treating varicose veins and spider veins, sclerotherapy procedures can also reduce pain or side effects caused by damaged veins. Once the solution is injected, the walls of the injected vein will close, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins.
Sclerotherapy Treatment Candidates
Sclerotherapy treatment is an amazing minimally invasive technique that treats many different vein diseases. It can also be used to treat many different types of abnormal blood vessels. People who suffer from varicose veins or spider veins are great candidates for sclerotherapy treatment. However, if you are pregnant, the procedure may not be done. Also, patients who have had a blood clot in the past have their eligibility determined on a case-by-case basis. Dr. Bacha from the Lexington Vein Institute in Lexington, KY, determines if sclerotherapy treatment is possible based on the overall health of the injection site, and the reason for the blood clot.
Possible Temporary Side Effects
Most side effects of sclerotherapy treatment are mild and do not last for a long period of time. Itching is possible and can last for a day or two, and there may be some red areas at injection sites for a couple of days. Bruising can also occur. Larger veins that have been treated can get hard before they naturally fade. More serious side effects, which are rare, might include allergic reactions.
Sclerotherapy Treatment Recovery
There is little to no downtime associated with sclerotherapy. Patients will most likely be able to return to their everyday activities immediately. In the first 48 hours after sclerotherapy, Dr. Bacha, recommends wearing compression stockings. Patients should only remove these to shower. After the first 48 hours, patients can wear stockings during the day and remove them at night while sleeping. Avoid sunlight, hot baths, saunas, swimming pools, and the beach during the first seven days after treatment. Patients should also stay active to reduce the chance of blood clots. However, they should avoid brisk aerobic exercises, such as running and weight lifting, for a couple of days. Walking and moving your legs is important to prevent the formation of blood clots.
by Lexington Vein Institute | May 4, 2020 | Blog, Varicose Veins
If you are suffering from varicose, there might be many reasons why you want to treat them, especially when it comes to treating varicose veins in the spring. In the old days of vein stripping surgery, there were just a couple of advantages to having varicose veins treated. Vein stripping procedures were highly invasive and had a low rate of success. However, here at Lexington Vein Institute, Dr. Bacha uses new treatment methods such as sclerotherapy, phlebectomy, and endovenous laser treatment. These treatment options are painless, minimally invasive, with little to no downtime associated with them. Also, there are a number of great benefits that come with varicose vein removal.
Appearance
Varicose vein removal can get you back to wearing shorts and swimsuits without worrying about those veins. This will definitely boost your self-confidence by no longer having to worry about people noticing your varicose veins.
Pain Relief
Varicose veins can cause, pain, discomfort, ache, and heavy sensation in the legs. They can also bleed spontaneously or with minimal trauma and they can become inflamed a condition called Phlebitis. Besides a surface network of veins, legs have an interior, or deep, venous network. On rare occasions, an interior leg vein becomes varicose. Moreover, such deep varicose veins are usually not visible, but they can cause swelling or aching throughout the leg and maybe sites where blood clots can form. Therefore, varicose vein removal is essential to help you with pain relief, which can be holding you back from being as active as you’d like to be.
Sleep Better at Night
Many men and women who suffer from varicose veins also suffer from poor sleep due to restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, is a neurological disorder. Restless leg syndrome is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease or RLS/WED. Restless leg syndrome causes unpleasant sensations in the legs, along with a powerful urge to move them. For most people, that urge is more intense when you’re relaxed or trying to sleep. The most serious concern for people with restless leg syndrome is that it interferes with sleep, causing daytime sleepiness and fatigue. RLS and sleep deprivation can put you at risk for other health problems, including depression if not treated. Varicose vein removal helps greatly with restless leg syndrome’s symptoms to disappear for good.
Increased Mobility
Varicose veins cause swelling that interferes with normal movement. Therefore, many people who have varicose veins suffer from being as active as they’d like to be. However, varicose vein removal gets rid of those swollen varicose veins allowing people to go back to their normal lifestyle.
Varicose veins are both an aesthetic problem and a physical problem for most men and women who suffer from them. Fortunately, you don’t have to continue suffering. Get in touch with the experts at The Lexington Vein Institute to arrange your varicose vein removal appointment with Dr. Bacha today!
by Lexington Vein Institute | Apr 11, 2020 | Blog, Varicose Veins
Spring is quickly approaching as the weather is getting warmer, and the sun is out longer. While the spring weather encourages us to go outside more, it is also a reminder to others of their legs. Numerous patients with varicose veins normally face a difficult decision as the summer approaches us. Some decide to suffer the heat in long pants or decide to wear shorts, skirts, and short dresses and put their varicose veins on display. Fortunately, there is a better option.
A lot of patients prefer to treat their varicose veins in the springtime. The reason is that the spring months offer enough time for patients to recover from their varicose vein treatment before the summertime hits.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins start to show up when the valves in the legs, feet, and ankles are unable to pump blood back towards the heart. Once these valves weaken, blood collects and pools in the veins causing them to enlarge. Enlarged veins increase pressure in the venous system and lead to varicose veins.
There are several factors that can cause you varicose veins. Some of those common factors are family history, pregnancy, sitting or standing for a long period of time, and weight problems.
Varicose Veins Treatment Options This Spring Season
Lexington Vein Institute offers a wide range of varicose veins treatments that are minimally invasive, allowing patients to recover a lot quicker. Prior to any procedure, Dr. Bacha will map out the exact location of the varicose veins to ensure the best results.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is the most seamless and effective treatment option to get rid of varicose veins. Depending on the severity of the condition, sclerotherapy treatment for venous problems can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.
EVLT (Endovenous Laser Ablation Therapy)
EVLT is a minimally invasive treatment that targets affected veins. Dr. Bacha uses this treatment option to seal off affected veins by laser. The collapsed veins get reabsorbed into the body allowing blood to flow through healthier veins.
Phlebectomy
Phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small scalpel or needle to remove varicose veins that lie just beneath the surface of the leg.
How About The Healing Process?
Following these procedures, patients can return to their normal daily activities instantly. Although, patients should avoid hot baths, saunas, swimming pools, and the beach during the first seven days after treatment. However, this is why spring is the perfect season to treat varicose veins.
Dr. Bacha always recommends wearing compression stockings for the 1st 48 hours after the procedure. Patients can only remove them when they shower. That’s another reason why undergoing vein treatments in the cooler months is a good idea; these tight elastic garments can be uncomfortable in warmer temps.
If you’ve been considering varicose vein treatment, now is a great time to start learning more. Contact the Lexington Vein Insitute to schedule an appointment today. Dr. Bacha and his team can help you understand the treatment options and choose a path of treatment that’s best for you.
by Lexington Vein Institute | Mar 21, 2020 | Blog, Spider Veins
Seeking an easy, “natural” way to remove spider veins? Home remedies prevent and treat varicose veins and spider veins. However, they will neither eliminate existing veins nor prevent new ones from forming.
Many patients are eager to try home remedies to remove the web-like patterns from their faces or legs and relieve associated pain in a holistic way.
Nonetheless, a better and faster method to find relief from spider veins is consulting with a physician. None of the popular home remedies for spider veins have been revealed to reverse the problem.
What Are Some Home Remedies For Spider Veins?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Some people believe that apple cider vinegar is a cure-all. Once it’s applied to the affected area, apple cider vinegar promotes its properties to improve blood flow. While improving blood flow is important for dealing with spider veins. However, apple cider vinegar has never ever been proven to either protect against or treat this venous disease. In fact, apple cider vinegar is extremely acidic. Therefore, applying it unmixed might create skin inflammation, burning, and redness. We do not recommend using apple cider vinegar on the skin.
Cayenne Pepper
Advocates of cayenne pepper believe that drinking a teaspoon of the cayenne pepper mixed with hot water can help to relieve leg pain and boost circulation. However, this is based on an outdated belief in spicy substances’ ability to enhance blood flow. In reality, consuming too much cayenne could cause irritation and ulcers.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is an astringent that can cleanse the skin, soothe inflammation, and temporarily shrink your pores. It is a common home remedy in facial skincare. It’s true that the cool liquid might bring a short-lived relief. However, it is not an effective solution for shrinking spider veins, as it does not have an effect beneath the top layers of skin. In fact, the tannins in witch hazel can make the skin more sensitive over time, possibly increasing irritation and dryness.
Crushed Garlic
Garlic is known that it has properties that can improve health in some cases. However, the research has been misinterpreted in the case of reducing symptoms of spider veins. While garlic has a lot of health benefits, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that its compounds could biochemically change the appearance of your veins.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have been a top natural home remedy for a substantial variety of conditions for a long period of time. Many essential oils, include horse chestnut oil, sea pine extract and also butcher’s broom extract, have been put forth by natural home remedy advocates as able to lower the itching and also pain associated with spider veins.
While these oils might have a temporarily comforting topical result when massaged into the leg, they are not confirmed to decrease the appearance of spider veins. If you do utilize essential oils on your skin, make sure to very first incorporate the drops right into coconut oil or various other carrier oils to avoid skin irritation. The scent might be enjoyable, but don’t anticipate to see an enhancement with the veins themselves.
Spider Vein Prevention & Treatment At-Home
Self-care is one of the most successful ways of spider veins treatment options. Here at Lexington Vein Institute, Dr. Fadi Bacha recommends wearing compression support stockings on a regular basis to help support healthy blood flow in the legs. Wearing compression stockings or socks places pressure on the veins in the lower legs. This pressure can help improve blood flow and prevent further vein complications. In addition to stockings, losing weight, physical activity, avoiding repetitive trauma and eliminating smoking and alcohol can play a great roll in treating the problem.
The Real Cure to Spider Veins
Lexington Vein Institute located in Lexington, KY, offers a number of treatments that have been proven to be effective for many satisfied patients. The typical treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy, which is a minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins, reticular veins, and spider veins. It involves injecting chemicals, known as sclerosing agents, into damaged veins. In addition to diminishing the appearance of varicose or spider veins. Sclerotherapy can also reduce pain or side effects caused by damaged veins.
For more severe venous conditions, Lexington Vein Institute offers Endovenous Laser Ablation Therapy (EVLT), which is a minimally invasive procedure that uses catheters, lasers, and ultrasound for varicose veins treatments. Dr. Bacha performs this procedure most often on veins that are still relatively straight and untwisted.
The bottom line, spider veins will not disappear on their own. This is why it is crucial to treat them immediately to prevent them from getting worse. It’s especially important to talk to a specialist if you have any related pain or swelling, which may indicate underlying diseases. Contact Lexington Vein Institute today to discuss your treatment options.
by Lexington Vein Institute | Mar 6, 2020 | Blog, Spider Veins
Spider veins are small, damaged veins that appear on the surface of the legs or face. They can be purple, red, or blue. Spider veins usually appear as thin lines, webs, or branches, and sometimes people refer to them as thread veins. They are usually not painful or harmful, and they can be close to the surface of the skin. However, some people may wish to treat them for cosmetic reasons.
What Are Spider Veins Caused By?
Normally, spider veins occur when the one-way valves inside the veins stop working properly. The reason is that those one-way valves inside the veins are responsible for keeping the blood flowing in the correct direction. Therefore, if a valve weakens or becomes damaged, then the blood vessels may struggle to flow upward toward the heart, and it can begin to pool inside the vein. Over time, this can cause a bulge in the vein that will eventually branch out, causing spider veins in the legs.
The Use Of Birth Control Pills
Drugs that include the hormones estrogen and progesterone, such as birth control pills or postmenopausal hormone therapy, can increase the possibility of developing spider veins. Female hormones weaken the vein wall—when you’re on birth control pills your levels of estrogen or progestin are increased, which may cause some spider veins.
A History of Blood Clots
Spider veins can serve as an early warning sign of restricted blood flow issues, like pooling and clotting. Clots are extremely hazardous to the body and can reach the heart, lungs, and brain.
Pregnancy can cause spider veins
While pregnant, the women’s body goes through several physical and hormonal changes. Typically, most of those changes are temporary and go away after pregnancy. However, those new spider veins might not. Pregnancy increases the possibility of causing spider veins because as the baby grows, the uterus puts increased pressure on the veins. Hormonal changes, on the other hand, can also cause the walls of the veins to relax. These factors can combine to cause the one-way valve in one or more veins to stop working properly. As a result, blood that should return to the heart pools and stagnates instead. The result causes spider veins.
Your Job
If your job requires you to be sitting or standing for long periods of time, you may want to consider the possibility of spider veins and varicose veins forming on your legs. The reason is that the blood in your veins must fight gravity to return to your heart. Therefore, standing on your feet for a long period of time, especially in one place, will make it harder for the blood to flow back up through the body.
Weight Problems
Being overweight puts added pressure on the entire body, including veins. The added pressure on the veins might cause them to enlarge and damage the valves that keep blood flowing toward the heart. Therefore, people with weight problems should consider exercising regularly, otherwise, they may end up having circulation problems and making spider veins even worse.
The good news is that Lexington Vein Institute, located in Lexington, KY, offers many treatment options. Our treatments are minimally invasive, in-office procedures that usually last about 30 minutes. Whether you are thinking about treating your spider veins with sclerotherapy, or endovenous laser therapy, make sure to contact our office to schedule an appointment today.
