8 2014 - Tehama County Medical Guide
Treat Your Legs to Some TLC
You may have inherited your mom's lovely legs--and
unfortunately, maybe her varicose veins too. These swollen,
often bluish blood vessels are more common in women than
men, and the tendency to develop them often runs in
families. Venous reflux commonly known as varicose veins,
and spider veins are all associated with CVI, chronic venous
insufficiency. More than 30 million people are undiagnosed
with CVI. CVI can be painful and these unsightly veins can
limit the activities you choose to do. Healthy leg veins
contain valves that open and close to assist the return of
blood to the heart. Venous reflux disease develops when
these valves become dysfunctional and allow retrograde
blood flow by incomplete valve closure.
You can't prevent varicose veins entirely, but you can delay
their development--and help keep those you already have
from getting worse. Suggestions to try include exercise, avoid
standing or sitting too much, if needed, slim down, avoid
crossing your legs, go for a fiber rich diet and avoid wearing
high heels.
Help is on The Way
Now, minimally invasive treatment options are available to
St. Elizabeth patients. Let the specialists of the St. Elizabeth
Center for Vein Care assist you and treat you with a
minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that can motivate
you toward the activities you enjoy and celebrate your leg up
on life.
The St. Elizabeth Center for Vein Care can assist you in
determining if you are a candidate for a minimally invasive
CVI treatment. In most cases, our outpatient procedures
result in relief of symptoms within 2 days and you can
resume normal activities within a few days. Our patients
have experienced proven results with positive outcomes. To
learn more visit our website at redbluff.mercy.org/veincare
or call us to see a specialist today 888.628.1948.
Sources: National Institutes of Health; Radiological Society of
North America, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute;
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Office on Women's Health
