Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) – Dr. Gibson

Posted on November 28, 2011 by admin

Restless Legs - Dr. GibsonJeff Gibson, MD, of our Buffalo Grove, IL practice, was selected to present at the World Association of Sleep Medicine & Canadian Sleep Society conference in Quebec, Canada earlier this month.  Dr. Gibson spoke about Restless Legs Syndrome.

Someone who always feels the urge to move his or her legs may be suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). RLS can make it uncomfortable to do normal activities, especially when sitting down.  Patients with RLS have trouble sleeping through the night and traveling long distances in the car or on a plane because they always feel they must move their legs.  Restless Legs Syndrome is common complaint by people who have vein disease.  Legs feel achy, cramped, and tired because of broken vein valves. When these valves cannot properly pump blood back up to the heart, gravity causes the blood to flow backward and distend the veins with stagnant blood.

If you would like more information about RLS or are interested in scheduling
a consultation, contact us at 1-800-660-VEIN.

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DVT and PE Awareness Essential to Treatment

Posted on August 11, 2011 by admin

By James Gariti

Dr. Gariti - Milwaukee Vein TreatmentLife is hectic. If I’m not at work, I’m running to an activity with my kids, and if I’m lucky, I squeeze in a date night every once in awhile with my wife. Who has time to be sick?

We all ignore symptoms and hope the problem will “just go away” on its own. I am just as guilty as most people. But knowing when you should seek medical attention can mean the difference between an easy recovery and something life-threatening.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), blood clots in the legs and lungs, are conditions that are often explained away until they are very serious. Despite Congress’s 2009 establishment of March as National DVT Awareness Month, many people (including many doctors) don’t always recognize the signs and symptoms of blood clots. In fact, less than half of all blood clots (either in the lungs or in the legs) are identified and treated.

A recent string of patients who came to my office with mild to moderate symptoms of DVT and PE led me to look more closely at the disease.

  • In October, I saw a woman who had a tender lump in her leg which developed after a flight from Florida. Besides the tender lump, she felt fine…except for the fact that she was getting tired when walking from her car to her house. It turned out she had blood clots in both lungs and required immediate hospitalization.
  • Then, in February, I saw a woman who had experienced six episodes of blood clots in her legs over the years who came to see me to finally take care of her veins. She was found to have two clotting disorders (thrombophilias) which increased her risk of DVT and PE significantly.
  • In July, a young woman came to my office because she had varicose veins in her legs and had a particularly sore vein. As I talked to her about her exercise habits, she told me that she usually ran five miles each day but that in the past week, she had only been able to run two miles before feeling worn out. Again, she had blood clots in both lungs and required hospitalization.
  • And there is the tragic case of David Bloom, the 39-year-old NBC reporter who died of a PE while covering the War in Iraq, and, more recently, tennis superstar Serena Williams who suffered a DVT and a life-threatening PE in 2011.

So what can you do to prevent or treat DVT and PE? First of all, congratulate yourself. Just knowing about the disease is the first step. There are some situations that increase the risk of blood clot formation: prolonged inactivity such as taking a plane ride or a long car ride, the presence of varicose veins, having a recent leg injury, being on hormone therapy (either birth control or hormone replacement therapy), smoking, recent surgery, pregnancy, cancer, or a family history of clotting problems.

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Phlebology Trip To Honduras

Posted on May 17, 2011 by admin

By Chung Woo, MD

Dr. Chung Woo is a physician in our Fairfax, VA office.  In March, he attended a week-long service mission to Honduras in Central America to provide free care to people suffering from vein disease.   Read about his experience in Honduras at this annual trip for phlebologists sponsored by the Hackett Hemwall Foundation.

I was honored this year to join VCA’s National Medical Director, Ted King, MD, in Honduras for a mission trip.  VCA doctors have been serving Hondurans in need for many years – along with doctors, nurses and other volunteers from other organizations across North America.  I had such an amazing, life-changing experience.  I worked with great doctors and volunteers in a wonderful country, with wonderful people… and rampant vein disease.

I was based at the Olanchito clinic, in a rural area that also draws in people from the surrounding countryside. While I was there, I saw some impressive venous ulcers.  Quite frankly, I was skeptical at first at how only one treatment session with sclerotherapy would take care of them.  But then I saw some patients who were treated previously. Many had at the least moderate, and in some cases, significant improvement. When the ulcers get better or even heal completely, the quality of life for those patients improves beyond description.  The gratitude of the patients alone was worth the trip.

I really missed my ultrasound technician when I was working by myself, but quickly felt comfortable scanning and treating… and teaching.  I ended up doing quite a bit of teaching to the two doctors in my group who had never treated veins before.  After this experience, one of those doctors enjoyed the work so much that he even made the decision to become a phlebologist!  But, most importantly, we were there to treat veins, so we all rolled up our sleeves and got busy –very busy.  Our group in Olanchito treated some 600 patients over four and a half days!

The patients were wonderful. Some came by bus from more than twelve hours away.  Many waited all day before they were treated. We did not have the luxury of providing local anesthesia but the patients bravely endured.  Each one thanked us effusively and more than a few hugs were exchanged.

After returning home to warm showers, drinkable tap water and reliable electricity, I was reminded just how blessed we are in America.  Honduras was a wonderful experience and a great reminder of why I do what I do – improve people’s lives through vein treatment.  I’m more motivated than ever and would love the opportunity to go back.

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Don’t Let Your Varicose Veins Keep You Out of Shorts this Summer!

Posted on May 2, 2011 by admin

This is the time of year to “think spring” and to look forward to warmer weather and spring wardrobes. And when you think about spring, you know that summer is just around the corner. But for many people with varicose veins, the thought of putting on a pair of shorts or a swimsuit not only means feeling embarrassed about the appearance of their legs, but also reminds them of the pain that varicose veins can cause.

Fortunately, VCA offers treatment options that don’t require complicated surgery or hospitalization. If you or someone you care about is considering treatment, here is an overview of our treatment options.

Sclerotherapy is a microinjection procedure that needs no pain medication or surgery. Abnormal veins are treated by injecting a solution called a sclerosant, sealing the vein off from the rest of the vein network in your leg, allowing the body to naturally redirect the blood flow to healthy veins.

Endovenous laser treatment (ELT, or sometimes referred to as EVLT) is a quick, minimally invasive laser treatment that requires no hospitalization and no complicated surgery. A small optic fiber is inserted through a needle into the varicose vein, heating and closing the vein, allowing blood to be naturally re-routed to other healthy veins.

We’re experts in the field and will do our best to help you both understand and treat the problem. Remember, spider and varicose vein treatment is often covered by insurance, so what are you waiting for? Get your legs into some cute shorts and skirts and make the most of your summer!

Have a question? Email one of our experts http://www.veinclinics.com/are-you-ready/comments-feedback/.

 

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Varicose Veins and Pregnancy

Posted on April 26, 2011 by admin

By Jeffrey Gibson, MD

As a physician with Vein Clinics of America, I see a wide variety of patients with varicose vein disease.  I would have to say, though, the patients I see most often are the women who have had children.  Varicose veins commonly develop during pregnancy, especially in women with a family history of them. They are often symptomatic with pain, numbness, tingling, heaviness, and cramps. It is also not uncommon for women to develop varicose veins if they gain a lot of weight during pregnancy.

Hormones from pregnancy cause varicose veins to be more noticeable and painful. There’s a common misconception, however, that you have to wait until you’re finished having children to get treatment. This is simply not the case.

Varicose vein disease is a progressive condition that, if left untreated, will only get worse. While you can’t receive treatment while you are pregnant, you should look into getting them treated shortly after the baby is born. It’s likely that your legs will be even more painful in any subsequent pregnancies than they were in your first if you wait to take care of them.  Treating your vein disease before you become pregnant again will control the amount of varicose veins present for the pregnancy to act upon, allowing your legs to remain as comfortable as possible.

When making a decision about your varicose veins, keep in mind that the sooner you get your veins treated, the easier they are to treat and control.  If you’ve just had a baby, congratulations!  Now come see me! 

 

Dr. Gibson practices in our Buffalo Grove, IL location. To schedule a consultation, call 800-660-VEIN or visit veinclinics.com.

Posted in Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Spider Veins, Varicose Veins | Leave a comment

At Her Peak – Part 2

Posted on April 4, 2011 by admin

“I feel younger and happier since I had my varicose veins treated!”

By Lynne Knutson

Read the first installment of Lynne’s story.

Like so many women, I had lived with the developing bulges and blue lines in my legs for years thinking it was part of the aging process. I was self-conscious at running events, and looked forward to winter when I could cover up again. I hadn’t realized just how much my varicose veins had affected the way I felt about my appearance.

I finally decided in April 2009 to have someone look at my legs to see if treatment was possible — and the answer was YES.

Choosing Vein Clinics of America for treatment is one of the best decisions I have ever made!

Having your veins taken care of will change your life. Look at me – not only do I feel younger and happier, I am climbing mountains and raising money for 3 Peaks 3 Weeks, a non-profit organization that organizes mountain-based adventure challenges in Africa, Asia and South America that raise funds for local non-profit organizations. Without treatment from VCA, I would not have had the confidence to even apply to be on a team for 3Peaks 3Weeks, let alone stand at the top of three incredible mountains in Africa for the good of its people and places.

My Experience at Vein Clinics of America – Gurnee

During every single appointment, Dr. Thomas Lutz and the whole staff treated me with warmth, respect and professional competence.  Dr. Lutz explained exactly what the course of treatment would be and what would be accomplished.  He was willing to take as much time as I needed to understand everything.  He was also great during the actual procedures in explaining what was happening, how long it was going to take, and what I could expect. For me, knowing what was going on and what they were seeing on the ultrasound screen completely erased my anxiety.

Dr. Lutz has a wonderful gentle sense of humor that also goes a long way toward relieving anxiety. I am actually looking forward to getting my sclerotherapy tune-ups because I will get to see the staff again — and I know that at the end of the day my legs will look great.

Having my veins treated so my legs look 100 percent better was like turning back the clock. I do not need to hide my legs anymore. I am enjoying the freedom to wear skirts and shorts again. It is so fun!

#spon

 

In the next and last installment of At Her Peak, Lynne will answer our questions about the 3 Peaks, 3 Weeks application process, the climbs, all of her adventures in East Africa, and her experience with VCA.

Get involved. Post your questions in the comment field or submit them on our Facebook Wall.

Posted in Chicago, Gurnee, Spider Veins, Varicose Veins | Leave a comment

Let’s Get Real.

Posted on March 21, 2011 by admin
by Jessie Nicholson

I admit it…I am addicted to reality TV. One of my most recent guilty pleasures was Bridalplasty on E! I could say it’s because I’m engaged to be married and can relate to many of the participants, but there’s no need for excuses—I just love watching these types of shows! In this particular program, brides-to-be compete in challenges to earn plastic-surgery procedures in a quest to win their ultimate dream wedding.

What prompted me to write this blog entry, however, was that one of the women on the show had on her list (among many things) varicose vein removal. Unfortunately, Lisa Marie was voted off the show before receiving help for her veins, or any procedure for that matter, but it got me thinking—is this what everyone thinks of varicose veins? Are they really only looked at like a cosmetic procedure?

I hadn’t thought too much about it before beginning work at VCA, but I know that I did not associate vein treatment with procedures like a tummy tuck or a rhinoplasty. Sadly, many people do. Yes, varicose and spider veins can be very unsightly, but they are a medical condition.

So, how do we change this common idea? Stop watching so much reality TV?

Here’s what we do—we get the word out. To everyone we can. We let people know that they are not alone. That you don’t have to put up with the pain just because you think that this is a cosmetic procedure you can’t afford.

You don’t have to choose between liposuction and vein disease treatment—it’s just not the same. Insurance covers most vein procedures–so no more excuses. Spread the word and schedule a consultation today!

Was it difficult to convince your friends and family that varicose veins are a more serious matter?

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Vein Clinics of America

Posted on March 8, 2011 by admin

 

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Dr. King Visits Shanghai, China

Posted on January 26, 2011 by admin

EndovascologyPresentation on ELT at international conference

By Jessie Nicholson

VCA’s National Medical Director, Ted King, practices in the Oakbrook Terrace, IL location and has been a part of the VCA network for 13 years. He was recently invited to speak at the Endovascology Conference, an international meeting held annually in Shanghai, China. Dr. King presented to a large crowd of doctors, mainly vascular surgeons, from China and other parts of the world. I recently sat down with him to discuss the conference and his experience.

When asked how his trip was, Dr. King enthusiastically said,

“Amazing! After visiting it only once, Shanghai is now my favorite city. It’s very much geared around people; it’s very clean and easy to get around. I really enjoyed my time there.”

Dr. King was invited to speak by an American colleague with ties to China. He and two other American doctors focused on the venous portion of the conference, while the majority of the meeting was artillery (veins pump blood to the heart while arteries push blood out).

“The venous portion was small but made a big impact,” King explained, “There was a lot of interest, especially from medical military practitioners.”

The majority of vein treatment in China is still vascular surgery; it’s very invasive. According to Dr. King, the attendees had a strong interest in catching up with the U.S. by offering treatments that are ultrasound guided, and in procedures like foam sclerotherapy and Endovenous Laser Treatment (ELT).

ELT

Dr. King’s presentation was on ELT, a minimally invasive laser procedure that requires no hospitalization and no complicated surgery.

“The presentation was very well received,” he said.” There were a lot of questions in the Q & A portion after the presentation.”

In fact, a very influential German phlebologist (vein specialist) invited him to submit his presentation to be published in the German phlebology journal, Phlebologie.

The best part of the trip for Dr. King was when he visited a local hospital. He noticed an ELT machine just sitting on one of the shelves, collecting dust.

“No one knew how to use it,” King said. “I was honored to perform the very first ELT procedure at the hospital.”

A doctor from that hospital is now planning a trip to America to learn the procedure and plans to spend a day with Dr. King to train. Dr. King hopes to go back and perform more procedures at his hospital as well. He enjoyed the conference and even its tradition of making attendees from other countries sing at dinner as the entertainment. This year, he and his colleagues chose Americans songs like “Take Me Out To the Ballgame.”

“It was a great opportunity to meet dedicated medical professionals and experience Chinese hospitality at its finest. They are eager learners and delightful to be around,” King said. “I would love to go back.”

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Weight Loss and Wellness Wednesday

Posted on January 26, 2011 by admin

Summer will be here before you know it. Who’s ready for bathing suit weather?

Did you just cringe? Me too. Seems like everywhere I look, people are trying to lose weight or get in shape. I am no exception. The pounds have crept up on me over the past few months and it’s time to buckle down and focus, for my figure and my well-being. Excess weight can contribute to health issues, and varicose veins are no exception.

We’ve decided to start Weight Loss and Wellness Wednesdays as a way to motivate ourselves and our VCA community to be healthy and to hit those weight loss goals.

Setting your goals:

According to about.com, if you’ve determined you do need to lose weight, your first step is to set a reasonable weight loss goal for yourself. You can base your goals on any number of factors, but a great place to start would be the general recommendations set out by the American College of Sports Medicine which are 5-10% of body weight or one to two pounds per week.

You can also use these calculators to set your goals:

· Ideal Body Weight Calculator

·How to Assess your Ideal Body Weight

·Height – Weight Chart

·BMI Calculator

Keep in mind that these calculations offer “guesstimates.” There are a number of factors that affect weight. With any weight loss or exercise program it is a smart idea to talk to your primary physician first.

I would like to lose 25 pounds total, losing 15 pounds in the next 12 weeks. I’m going to do it. I have to because now you know and I don’t want to let you down.

What is your 12 week goal?

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