Tag Archives: leg health

09.05.19
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Reduce Alcohol Intake for Vein Health

varicose-veins-alcohol-Dr-zuzga-

varicose-veins-alcohol-Dr-zuzga-That’s right. The health of your veins can be majorly impacted by what you choose to put in your body. Alcohol being one of the very worst offenders when it comes to damaging vein and circulatory health.

Vein disease can begin because of family genetics and you are even more prone if you are a woman. The good news is that there are many factors completely within your control. Weight, diet, activity level, and lifestyle including drinking excessively and or doing drugs can have a big effect on health.

When it comes to health and diet, people are quick to analyze what they are eating but often overlook what they drink. Excessive alcohol consumptions effect on varicose veins is a lesser contributing factor, but it should nevertheless be taken into account when considering potential causes of venous insufficiency.

Varicose veins are caused due to a circulatory malfunction. It is a fact that alcohol affects blood circulation so it should come as no shock that the two are intertwined. The body’s circulatory system consists of the heart, veins, valves, and arteries. They all assist in pumping blood from the heart, through the body, then returned to the heart once again.

Blood is pumped back up to the heart through the veins by way of a series of one-way valves that open in the direction of the heart closing immediately after the blood has passed. When valves are damaged they are unable to prevent a backflow of blood. This backwash causes pressure to build up in the veins which result in the swollen, bulging, and enlarged appearance associated with varicose veins.

When alcohol is consumed it increases the heart rate. This makes your entire circulatory system work harder as a result. Because alcohol intake also has a direct effect on a person’s liver, which is responsible for filtering blood as it is circulated, alcohol attacks the veins from multiple angles. When the liver is unable to properly filter the blood of toxins and waste, the blood becomes thicker and more viscous, making it even harder for those already fragile leg veins to function properly.

Consuming alcohol does not automatically lead to varicose veins if no other risk factors are present, it can make the development of varicose veins and venous insufficiency far more likely in those people who are predisposed to such conditions or who are already experiencing symptoms.

Dr. Zuzga of West Florida Vein Center is not going to tell you that you should never drink alcohol  again, if your goal is healthy veins he may suggest that it is wise to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages if varicose veins are already present or if your gender, age, or family history makes you a likely candidate for future venous disease.

Interested to learn more?
Visit www.westfloridaveincernter.com or call (727) 712-3233 to schedule an in-person appointment with Dr. Zuzga of the West Florida Vein Center.

09.04.18
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Varicose Vein Relief

sclerotherapy

sclerotherapyThere are several different treatment options for spider veins. The one that stands out is sclerotherapy because it has stood the test of time and remains a top picked favorite of Vein Specialists as well as satisfied patients.

Sclerotherapy – What is it?

Sclerotherapy is the use of an injected chemical solution directly into the damaged. These chemicals cause the vein to collapse and scar, sealing the blood’s pathway and forcing it to reroute to healthier veins.  The collapsed vein is then reabsorbed into the tissue and the old vein eventually fades.

Why choose sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy liked and used so much because it is minimally invasive. This procedure improves not only the visual appeal of your legs but also tag along symptoms such as aching, swelling, burning and leg cramps. Treated veins fade completely within a few weeks, although in some patients it may take up to two months to see the full results. For more extensive cases, multiple sclerotherapy treatments may be needed. Your doctor will let you know prior to any treatment being administered.

What to be aware of when choosing Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure. It is generally performed right in your doctor’s office. No anaesthesia is required and only takes from 15 minutes to an hour to complete depending on the extent of the damage.

During the procedure, patients lie on their back, legs slightly elevated. Pretreatment the area is swabbed with alcohol. To begin the doctor uses a fine needle and begins slowly to inject a safe chemical solution or foam into the vein. Some patients may experience a minor stinging sensation or slight cramps at the point of insertion. The injection irritates the vein lining, causing it to swell shut and block the flow of blood.

Once the needle is removed, the doctor will then apply compression bandages and massage the area to keep blood out of the injected vessel and disperse the solution. For larger veins, a compression pad may be taped onto the site to keep the area compressed while your doctor moves on to the next vein. The size and area will affect the number of injections needed in a treatment.

Insurance coverage

Depending on the patient Sclerotherapy may or may not be covered by insurance. Please check with your carrier before scheduling the procedure.

Will I need time off?

There is virtually no downtime with Sclerotherapy. You can stand and walk immediately, it is even recommended. Compression stockings should be worn for one to three weeks and though you should avoid sun exposure during that time, you may return otherwise to normal activities.

Interested?

Give West Florida Vein Center a call today at (727) 712-3233 or visit www.westfloridaveincenter.com to start your screening.