In the past, stripping was used to treat varicose veins. When a vein is stripped away, the body doesn’t know it has been removed. It thinks the vein has been damaged, so your body tries to grow the vein back. Unlike organs, such as the gallbladder, which you can remove permanently, veins are part of the body’s connective tissue. This means that they are involved in the healing process.
If you are considering treatment for varicose veins, there is no reason to have vein stripping performed. The alternatives such as RadioFrequency Closure and Ambulatory Phlebectomy are more effective and have lasting results. If you had a vein stripping procedure performed in the past, and the veins have reappeared, make an appointment with the doctors at Reno Vein Clinic by visiting www.RenoVeinClinic.com or call (775) 329-3100.
Stay Spider Vein Free This Fall!
Just because colder weather is upon us and it’s almost time to start digging out pants and jeans, covering up doesn’t mean spider veins will disappear. In addition to looking unsightly, spider and varicose veins can pose health problems, so never let them go unnoticed or untreated.
Foam Sclerotherapy: Treating unwanted spider veins, this non-operative treatment uses micro-injection technology through small needles using an FDA approved solution. Compression hoses are required to be worn after the treatment and normal activities can resume immediately. To complete the sclerotherapy effectively, it usually takes two to four treatments, six weeks apart. What’s great is this approach treats hand, facial, leg and chest veins.
Having concerns about high cholesterol? A major risk factor leading to heart conditions, disease and strokes, cholesterol can often run in families. On the bright side, we can help manage cholesterol, starting with the foods we put in our bodies. Here’s a quick look at some tasty and functional foods recommended by the Mayo Clinic to help manage cholesterol numbers and keep us healthy and feeling our best.
Oatmeal, Bran and Fiber-Rich Foods: Containing soluble fiber, these foods help lower “bad” cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in kidney beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes.
Fish & Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Heart healthy because of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, fish can help lower blood pressure and reduce risks of blood clots. High levels are found in mackerel, trout, salmon, halibut, tuna, trout and more.
Walnuts, Almonds and Other Nuts: Helping reduce cholesterol, nuts are rich in good, fatty acids which also help keep blood vessels healthy. Doctors recommend eating a handful of nuts per day such as almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts – all helping reduce your risk of heart disease.
Olive Oil: Containing a blend of antioxidants, olive oil helps lower cholesterol, while leaving “good” cholesterol untouched. The Food and Drug Administration recommends using about 2 tablespoons of olive oil a day in place of other fats in your diet to receive its heart-healthy benefits.
For details and more information, check out the full article at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002.
Avoid wearing heels for a long period of time. High-heeled shoes can put stress on your veins. If you want to wear heels, try to find shoes, like wedges, that offer more support. Even with shoes that offer more support, you should give your legs a break periodically.
Uncross your legs while sitting. When you sit with your legs crossed you are limiting the blood circulation in your legs. The more often this happens, the harder it gets for your legs to recover. Try crossing your ankles when you sit instead.
Get your Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids (a kind of antioxidant). Both will help with circulation and reduce pain. Bioflavonoids also strengthen weak blood-vessel walls. Foods high in Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids include: sweet peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes, strawberries, apricots, cantaloupe, and dark colored berries like blueberries.
Limit high-sodium foods. Too much sodium will cause your body and veins to retain more water. This can be hard on your veins because too much water retention can limit blood circulation.
Exfoliate your legs in the shower. By using a simple loofah or one of our skin scrubs on your legs daily, you can help improve blood circulation and lymphatic stimulation.
Get your Vitamin E. This vitamin is an excellent blood thinner that helps improve circulation and also helps to relieve pain. Foods high in Vitamin E are: wheat germ, egg yolks, butter, nuts, whole wheat flour, liver, and dark leafy greens.
Work out your legs. The more you move your leg muscles, the stronger you blood circulation will become. Working your legs will get you blood moving and help keep you blood moving.
Stretch your legs. Stretching helps the blood flow increase and opens up the fascia so that blood can get to the tissue more easily. Stretching is also important to help your legs recover from a long day.
Get your fiber. Constipation can be a factor in spider or varicose veins, because straining in an effort to force a bowel movement puts added pressure on veins. This pressure can lead to poor circulation.
Avoid fried foods. Fats add to circulation problems by causing plaque to deposit in you vein and arteries. By eating less fat, you can keep you blood flowing and keep plaque out of your veins.