Category: Health Lifestyle

The Dos and Don’ts of Varicose Vein Exercises

Posted on August 28, 2023August 28, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in COVID-19, Health Lifestyle, Varicose Veins

Let’s talk about varicose vein exercises. We all know that exercise is good for your general health. But when vein disease gives you varicose veins, some exercises will help you, while others can hurt your condition. Usually, exercising more will make your veins bigger. That’s because they have to send all that pumping blood back to your heart. And, evidence suggests that the more you exercise, the healthier your veins will be as well. Basically, exercise gets your blood pumping, so it flows up your vein faster. That creates “shear stress” on your vein wall. Which causes vein wall cells to secrete nitric oxide. This is a chemical that preserves your vein wall health. So, for the most part, exercise is key to improving your vein health.

In certain cases, however, exercises may cause vein problems. Especially if you already have varicose veins. Want to get your veins healthy the right way? Read on for our ‘dos’ and don’ts’ of exercising with varicose veins. Please note that we recognize many readers will currently be avoiding the gym, so we’ve included recommendations for great, at-home exercise options.

The Best Exercises for Varicose Vein Sufferers

First things first: if you have vein disease, talk to your doctor before beginning any new exercise programs. Once you’re cleared for activity, our Houston and Dallas area vein specialists recommend starting with low-impact workouts like walking, bicycling or swimming.

Why are these great choices? First of all, you can try any of these activities while following social distancing guidelines. Plus, we like vein disease sufferers to use their legs. When you do, you strengthen those muscles, making them contract harder and helping push blood out of your legs and back up to your heart.

In other words, stronger calf muscles make for better circulation. And that means you’re likely to experience pooling blood and other complications associated with venous insufficiency.

And, in addition to circulatory benefits, you can expect to see other positive effects: you will likely lose weight, lower your blood sugar levels and keep your blood pressure down, helping improve your vein health—and keeping the rest of your body in tip-top shape.

But, Can Exercise Get Rid of Varicose Veins?

While workouts can help improve symptoms of existing varicose veins, or reduce your risk for developing new ones, exercise alone won’t get rid of veins that already bulge or twist.

After a workout ends, the appearance of those veins may improve for a while. But that change will be temporary. Because, without vein treatment, those varicose veins aren’t going away on their own.

So, now you know, you can’t make varicose veins disappear with exercise. Yet you can boost your vein health and reduce certain symptoms with physical activity. The key to getting all these benefits? Picking the right kinds of movement.

Running with Varicose Veins: Yes or No?

While running is unlikely to cause varicose veins, the exercise may temporarily make your existing symptoms worse. At the same time, running is a great way to strengthen calf muscles. And that, as we just mentioned, can be a great way to get blood pumping and reduce your risk for more vascular problems.

So, is running with varicose veins a good idea? Here’s the story: first, you have to clear this level of activity with your healthcare provider, or with one of our vein specialists. Then, be smart about your running program. Choose softer training surfaces, like grass or a track, to reduce the impact on your lower extremities.

Also, ease into your routine, going at a slow and steady pace for no more than 20 minutes while you’re getting used to this new activity. Then, if you feel good, continue gradually increasing your running duration. But if your varicose vein symptoms worsen while you run, take a break and choose a different form of exercise. (You can also ask us if compression stockings for runners could help you keep on training.)

Varicose Vein Warnings for Cyclists

While bicycling is a good vein health exercise, be careful about extended cycling routines. Serious bicyclists are more vulnerable to a kind of varicose vein known as a perforator vein. Perforator veins take blood through your muscles to your deep veins, where it goes back up to your heart. Your legs have about 150 perforator veins, and their valves come under pressure when you bike. Why?

Serious cycling puts lots of pressure on your calf muscles. It starts when you push pedals. Then, it causes huge pressure in your leg, which should cause your blood to push back to your heart. That’s why vein specialists often recommend bike riding as a good exercise for varicose veins.

Unfortunately, in some cases that pressure is too much for your valves, causing them to fail. While we don’t know exactly why this happens, studies suggest it could be a result of hunched postures or other contributing factors.

Want to prevent cycling complications? Just use caution when you bike ride. Try to practice good posture, and don’t push yourself too hard, especially if you already have varicose veins. After all, studies still suggest that your potential vein benefits outweigh the chance of popping a valve. So just proceed with caution and follow your doctor’s advice.

What Workouts Should I Avoid if I Have Varicose Veins?

When you have varicose veins, some workouts might actually worsen your condition. We tell our patients to avoid exercises like lifting weights, squatting, or even some yoga poses. So now’s not the time for a new, at-home yoga routine. Without the guidance of an instructor, it will be hard to make vein-safe modifications.

Running can also be a problem. Now, it may be ok to take a light jog on a grassy surface or on a trail. But pounding your legs on a treadmill or concrete surface puts lots of pressure on your feet and legs. Which is a big problem for varicose veins.

Here’s why: Anything that increases pressure on your abdomen and lower body is not recommended, since it can reduce or stop the amount of blood flowing from your legs back to your heart. That, in turn, may allow blood to pool in your legs, causing your veins to stretch out and, possibly, fail.

It’s also important to know that high-impact exercises, such as running and jogging, may cause your varicose veins to swell more, although wearing compression stockings and sticking to soft training surfaces can help lessen the impact of this form of exercise. But walking is always a great, lower impact option!

When Should I Treat my Varicose Veins?

Contrary to what you may have heard, varicose veins are more than just a cosmetic concern. They are a sign that something has gone seriously wrong within your circulatory system. For that reason, you should see a vein specialist as soon as you notice a vein that’s getting darker or sticking out above the profile of your skin, even if our initial consult is remote. The earlier we catch and treat varicose veins, the less likely it is that your vein disease will be able to progress. So please reach out today and request a Telemedicine or in-office visitrequest a Telemedicine or in-office visitrequest a Telemedicine or in-office visit.

Sources: 220 Triathlon, Mayo Clinic, Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Need Help for PAD: Try these 4 Foods and 2 Drinks

Posted on August 21, 2023September 2, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle, PAD

Need help for PAD? Well, guess what? Researchers have discovered that drinking hot cocoa could help improve your gait if you have peripheral arterial disease (PAD.) And that’s not all: science also suggests that Vitamin K2 can lower your risk for developing PAD, or other types of coronary disease. Plus, water-based exercises can help restore your mobility. Often as effectively as gym-based workouts, which could be painful when you’re dealing with this health concern.

You see, PAD is a serious condition that sets in when athelosclerosis (hardened arteries) limit blood flow to your lower limbs. And one of the worst PAD symptoms is sudden pain with walking, so we’re excited about preventing PAD, but we’re also excited about this tasty discovery regarding symptom relief! Let’s take a closer look.

Flavanols Offer Help for PAD

First things first: let’s clear up our cocoa discussion. Cocoa is rich in flavonols, which is why it can help PAD patients. But not all cocoa is created equally. As study author Mary McGrae McDermott explains, “A large amount of chocolate available without a prescription is alkalized, which improves taste [but destroys] the beneficial cocoa flavanols that have therapeutic effects.”

What does that mean? You need powder with more than 85% cocoa content to get health benefits. Simply grabbing some Nesquick at the super market just won’t cut it—even though your cocoa will probably taste pretty great.

Still, the right kind of cocoa has lots of healing properties. According to the study, cocoa flavanols, including epicatechin, “have therapeutic properties that can improve performance when walking in people with PAD.” More specifically, cocoa can help target therapy directly to your legs (limb perfusion) and improve cell and muscle regeneration in your legs. Finally, McDermott notes, previous studies have also discovered that blood flow and muscle health improve with cocoa consumption.

Now we know why cocoa is such a valuable ingredient, let’s take a closer look at how you can leverage cocoa to improve your PAD symptoms.

How Cocoa Fights PAD

The purpose of this study was to see if cocoa could help PAD patients walk longer distances before experiencing leg pain. And, happily, it did! To reach their findings, McDermott’s team studied 44 patients aged 60 and older. Every day, participants drank either cocoa or a placebo drink. By the end of the study period, cocoa drinkers found it much easier to walk for six minutes, as compared to their placebo-drinking counterparts. People who drank three cups a day saw the best results.

In presenting her findings, McDermott explained, “Our study showed better health in the blood flow to the legs, improvements in the 6-minute walking distance and also improved the health of the calf skeletal muscle. Since people with PAD have difficulty walking due to blood flow problems, we think that this particular therapy can be particularly beneficial.”

While these findings are certainly exciting—for our taste buds and our symptom management—don’t start planning to ditch your meds. As mentioned, you’d have to have the exact cocoa makeup included in the study. Plus, while cocoa can help with symptom relief, it’s unlikely to clear up your underlying disease trigger. So, by all means, talk to your doctor about including cocoa in your diet. And take a look at the findings about Vitamin K1 and PAD!

Vitamins and PAD Risk

According to long-term studies in Atherosclerosis, daily vitamin K2 can reduce your PAD risk if you have hypertension or diabetes.

After following over 36,000 men and women for just over 12 years, researchers 489 participants developed PAD. But they found that taking vitamin K2 reduced that PAD risk. All the people benefited from the supplement. But the risk reduction was strongest for those with hypertension, and strongest for those with diabetes.

Based on their discovery, the study authors can recommend daily vitamin k2 supplements. Great sources of vitamin k2 include dairy products, fermented foods like kombucha, kimchi and sauerkraut, and some animal products.

Additionally, one cross-sectional study suggests that getting too little magnesium in your diet increases your risk for this disease. As such, you’ll want to add magnesium-rich staples such as spinach (more on that in a minute), as well as nuts like cashews, almonds or peanuts. Pumpkin and chia seeds are great options, too!

Of course, if you already have peripheral arterial disease, you may notice symptoms such as leg cramps while you walk. In which case, you’ll want to read more about water-based workouts that offer help for PAD.

Adding Spinach to the Mix

Want to really kick PAD to the curb? A brand new study reveals that eating one cup of spinach a day lowers your PAD risk by 26%! This power green helps in several ways. But their most important job seems to be lowering blood pressure.

As a result, just a few leaves a day also reduces stiffness in your arteries. (Which is likely why it helps lower PAD risk.) And it also means you’re less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. All of which is great news, as far as we’re concerned!

Fighting PAD Symptoms in and with Water

According to researchers at Sheffield Hallam University, water based exercises can be an effective part of a PAD rehab program. Plus, these workouts could offer protective cardiovascular health benefits. Because, according to lead author Markos Klonizakis, getting four water workouts a week offered the same protective heart and arterial benefits as four weekly workouts in the gym.

Now, this news is especially important for older adults. Because water workouts are lower impact. Which means they’re easier to do, even if you already deal with joint or PAD pain.

So, getting in the water can help reduce your disease risk. But drinking water–at least 8 glasses per day–can further reduce your risk. How? Staying well hydrated is a great way to lower your blood pressure. And lowering blood pressure to a healthy range reduces your risk for all forms of CVD, including PAD.

Find it hard to swallow all that H20? Consider giving cranberry juice a try! In addition to helping you stay hydrated, cranberry juice is also packed with vitamin c. And that vitamin c can improve blood flow, again reducing your peripheral arterial disease risk factors.

Of course, all of these dietary and lifestyle changes can offer help for PAD. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on any of your other PAD medications. And if you’re worried about your risk, be sure to explore PAD treatment options with your Houston and Dallas area vein specialists. If you come in to see us, real relief could be available, and sooner than you think.

Sources: Atherosclerosis, Journal of Circulation Research, Nutraingredients.com, British Medical Journal

Resolving Male Infertility with Varicocele Embolization

Posted on August 15, 2023August 14, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle

If you have male infertility, a procedure known as varicocele embolization could be key to starting your family. But what are varicocele? And what is involved in this embolization procedure? Well, as it turns out, varicose veins are not just a problem that appear in your legs. In fact, varicose veins can develop in other sensitive areas of the body. And for men, one especially vulnerable area is in the testicles.

Yes, you read that correctly: about one in seven men has varicocele, or varicose veins in the testicles. With this condition, you have valve failure in the veins leading into the testicles. And that allows blood to back up, just as it does with varicose leg veins. Though it’s a mostly harmless condition, varicoceles can be linked to male infertility. And, this condition can also cause aching when you run, because exercise increases your blood flow, while gravity adds extra pressure to your sensitive parts.

Plus, with varicose veins, your risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases. And having a history of DVT can impact your risk for other intimate concerns. Which includes Penile Mondor Disease, a condition that leads to blood clots in the superficial veins of your penis.

How do Varicocele Affect Fertility?

As we mentioned, a varicocele is an enlargement of your pampiniform plexus, or scrotal, veins (that’s the loose pouch of skin that holds your testicles). When working properly, your veins operate with one-way valves that help blood to flow out of your testicles and scrotum and back up to your heart. But, when those valves aren’t doing their job, blood pools in your veins, making them stretch and bulge. This is true whether it happens in your legs veins or in more private parts of your body.

In some cases, causes other than valve failure contribute to varicocele. While it’s the main cause of primary varicocele, you could also develop a secondary condition. Here, an external factor like a mass, or even forms of hypertension, put pressure on your testicular vein. And the result is varicose veins in this sensitive area.

Now, remember: enlarged veins aren’t just a cosmetic problem. Typically, varicocele become more apparent during puberty. As blood builds up in your veins, internal pressure and temperature can also increase, from the typical 95 degrees Fahrenheit to 98.6 degrees. And that’s where your fertility could be threatened: extra pressure and heat in this sensitive part of your body could damage your testicles. That could lead to decreased testosterone and sperm production, as well as poor sperm quality, all of which could impact male fertility.

Varicoceles Symptoms

With this type of varicose vein, you may experience unwanted symptoms other than challenges to your fertility. Your scrotum could get swollen or tender. The area may feel heavier than usual, or like it’s dragging from your body. Also, your veins may become dilated or spaghetti-like. You could notice a worm-like mass. And your testicles can be unevenly sized, with the side of your scrotum that has varicocele appearing smaller, due to changes in your blood flow.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider can likely diagnose this vein problem with a physical testicular exam. Then, if varicose veins in your scrotum are the problem, you can reach out to us for a varicocele embolization consultation. But you should also get lifestyle recommendations. And those should include ways you can stay active while dealing with varicocele. (Or any type of vein disease!)

Staying Active With Varicose Veins

Exercise is always a good idea for improving blood flow and fighting vein disease. In order to keep exercise from causing or worsening varicoceles, male runners need to be very careful when selecting underwear for their runs. First and foremost, boxers are a no-go for male runners: you need underwear that has some built in support. For this purpose, a close-fitting pair of boxer briefs may be your best bet.

Another way to ensure sufficient support? Try the layered approach. Wear two pairs of underwear beneath your running shorts or pants, to create a more protective hold while you pound the pavement. You may also want to consider sport-specific underwear, since specially designed shorts will eliminate other potential irritants like sweat or painful seaming.

Of course, too much of a good thing can be a problem too. Choose underwear that’s too tight, and you run the risk of cutting off testicular blood flow, which can also be problematic. You want to shoot for the Goldilocks compromise in this type of situation: test out several styles of shorts, and opt for the one that’s not too loose and not too tight. Chances are, the one that’s “just right” will also be the pair that best protects you from testicular varicose veins!

Varicocele Embolization: Other Reasons to Treat Varicose in the Penis

While rare, some men develop inflammation in their penile veins, triggering a condition called Penile Mondor Disease (PMD). That inflammation raises your risk for blood clots. And it can also cause pain or swelling in the area.

Usually, your genetics play a role in your PMD risk level. But trauma to the area (like with a sports injury) or vigorous or extended sexual encounters also up your risk. If you have PMD, your first symptom will likely be hardening of the vein on top of your penis. (This should occur between 24-48 hours after the troubling incident.) The skin may also turn red, edema may develop, and you may experience throbbing pain, especially with an erection. If you have PMD, urinating may also be painful or difficult.

We can usually diagnose PMD with a physical exam, but in some cases you’ll need an ultrasound as well. In most cases, PMD clears up on its own. So your treatment will involve support for your pain and inflammation. But, for some men, this condition becomes a recurring problem. And, in those cases, you may need to treat your problematic vein. Just like you would with varicoceles.

Varicocele Embolization in Houston and Dallas, TX

To diagnose this condition, you’ll need a physical exam. It should be done while you stand, since varicocele can become less prominent when you’re lying down. Fortunately, you can treat varicocele and protect your fertility. As interventional radiologists, we treat these varicose veins using a minimally invasive procedure called varicocele embolization.

What can you expect during this procedure? First, we make a tiny incision in your groin. Next, we’ll insert a thin catheter through your vein, directing it toward the varicoceles. We may use X-ray dye to better see your veins, so we can target treatment. Finally, once we’ve pinpointed your varicoceles, we’ll inject tiny coils into the catheter, stopping blood flow to varicoceles and alleviating pressure to the area.

Of course, we understand that treating sensitive areas can be scary. But here’s the best news: during our minimally invasive treatment process, you’ll be awake, but you won’t be in pain. We won’t need to make any incisions or cuts in your scrotum, and there’s no risk of testicular loss with this procedure. Once your embolization is complete, we’ll carefully observe your recovery process for several hours. Then, in most cases, we can send you home on the same day as your treatment! There, you’re unlikely to face any post-operative complications. In fact, most patients recover within two to three days!

Have you noticed bulging veins in your scrotum? Or do you have a throbbing ache in your pelvic region? Are you and your partner struggling to conceive? Come in for a diagnostic vein examCome in for a diagnostic vein examCome in for a diagnostic vein exam. We can help determine if varicocele are contributing to your male infertility. And we can recommend the appropriate treatment plan to resolve your discomfort and help you build the family you’ve dreamed of.

Sources: Society of Interventional Radiology

What’s the Right Way to Put On Compression Stockings?

Posted on July 31, 2023September 1, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle

Previously, we’ve shared posts about the great reasons to start wearing compression socks. To recap: they could help protect you from deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. Plus, they can slow the progression of vein disease. And today, more than ever, they come in lots of cute styles! So now that you have the “why” when it comes to compression stockings, we’d like to address the “how.” After all, it can sometimes be tricky to work these tightly-fitted compression socks onto your legs. But first, let’s examine 5 early warning signs of deep vein thrombosis.

DVT Warning Signals to Watch For

Wearing compression socks can help prevent DVT. Here are the signs to look for, that can tell you you’re in danger for deep vein thrombosis.

Cramps or throbbing pain in one leg, probably in the thigh or calf.
One leg displays swelling.
The skin around the sore spot on your leg may be warm to the touch.
That skin may also turn red or darken.
Swollen veins that are noticeably hard to the touch.

Got any of these symptoms? We may recommend compression therapy. And, if that’s the case, you’ll need to know the right way to put on compression socks. So we hope this guide can help ease this somewhat complex process.

How to Put on Compression Socks: A Step by Step Guide

First of all, it’s important to remember that compression stockings aren’t like typical pantyhose. So forget the usual

Creating a pocket for your toes is the first step to properly applying compression stockings.

ways you pull on stockings. Before putting on compression stockings, you should take off any jewelry and dry your legs completely. Now you’re ready to begin application.

Step 1: Whatever you do, don’t bunch up the feet of your stockings. This would only concentrate all that pressure in one small area, making it harder to pull your stockings into place. Instead, reach your hand down and through your stocking, and grab hold of the heel. Keep hold of the heel and turn your stocking inside out. This will create a little pocket for your foot!

Step 2: Put your toes in the foot pocket you just created. Pull the stocking up to your heel, then grasp the top layer of fabric, right near the middle of your foot.

Step 3: Keeping hold of the fabric, lift the stocking over your heel and pull upwards until your heel is completely covered.

Step 4: Now, use both hands to grasp the remaining loose fabric. Pull it gently up over your calf. Going slowly, continue sliding the stocking upwards, until it rests over your knee. Smooth any wrinkles, making sure the stockings are laying properly in place.

Step 5: Repeat on other side, then get dressed and go. You’re ready to start your day with a valuable tool to support your vein health!

When Not to Put On Compression Socks

Now, compression socks are important medical devices. So, you might think that wearing them day and night would be the best way to support your vein health. But, in fact, that’s not the case.

You see, there is a time when we want you to take off your compression socks. And that time is at night, when you’re sleeping. Here’s why: if you sleep in these garments, you could interfere with your body’s ability to regulate blood flow. In fact, you could even restrict circulation, the exact opposite of what you’re hoping to do!

Also, wearing compression hose at night can compress or irritate your nerves. In turn, you could experience burning pain, tingling or loss of sensation in your legs. Finally, by staying in your gear all night long, you’re more likely to irritate your skin. Or, you may disrupt your sleep. And that could interfere with your vein health since experts say you need a certain amount of rest to keep your blood flowing properly.

How to Put on Compression Socks in Houston and Dallas

Now that you know how to get into these items of clothing (and when to take them off), we need to be sure you pick the perfect pair for your needs. After all, medical compression socks actually require a prescription to make sure you get the right amount of pressure, so you can’t just go online and order a pair that looks pretty. Instead, our Houston and Dallas area vein specialists are here to help you find the right pair to protect your circulation and prevent dangerous clots. So schedule an appointmentschedule an appointmentschedule an appointment at one of our Houston and Dallas area clinics today!

Sources: Sockwell USA, The Mayo Clinic

Move it Monday: 6 Ways to Boost Blood Flow and Stay Active Indoors

Posted on July 17, 2023July 5, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle

Did you know that getting exercise can boost blood flow? It’s true, which is why staying active is one easy way to prevent varicose veins from developing on your legs. And here’s why: spider veins start to form when blood pools in your veins, making them bulge and show through your skin. So, if pooling blood can leave you with bulging veins, then blood that flows well can help prevent this problem. And here’s the good news: staying active with exercise dilates your blood vessels, which in turn creates a demand for increased blood flow.

Of course, it’s not always possible to exercise in a gym, or under the supervision of a doctor or trainer. Heck, in the hot Houston summers, even a simple walk outdoors isn’t so appealing. But that doesn’t mean you can’t work activity into your daily or weekly routine. With that goal in mind, here are 5 simple ways you can work physical activity into your day without ever leaving the house. And remember, as always, check with your doctor before starting any new fitness routine!

5 Ways to Work up a Sweat in Your House

1. Catch up on laundry. Tackling those building piles of laundry is a great way to burn calories—and stress. Bonus activity points if your machine is on your top floor, and you keep working those stairs to swap loads.

2. Sweep and mop the kitchen (or your whole house, if you’re really feeling ambitious). Make the whole thing more fun (and burn bonus calories) by turning up the music and working some dance steps into your floor sweeping.

3. Cook up a storm. Did you know that standing at your stove and cooking burns around 180 calories an hour? And you can increase that burn by chopping your own veggies—heck, you may even score some bicep work!

4. Be mindful about ingredients. While you’re in the kitchen, try adding some soy to your recipes. Packed with isoflavones (plant compounds that mimic estrogen in your body.) These compounds seem to boost blood flow in your pelvic and leg veins, potentially reducing your risk for varicose veins. Plus, because soybeans are a great source of protein and fiber, they may also help lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk for cardiovascular concerns such as peripheral arterial disease.

5. Just dance. Were you inspired by that musical sweeping session? Why not take it up a notch, and just dance through as many songs as you can handle. It doesn’t matter how fast you go—it’s all about moving and having fun.

6. Use your stairs. This is another tip you’ve already started tackling with our laundry suggestion. If you’re living in a home with a staircase in the house, you have your own stair master right in the house! Walk up and down at your own pace for as long as you feel safe and comfortable.

4 More Reasons to Boost Blood Flow

As we said, when you boost your blood flow, you’ll lower your risk for spider veins. (You may even keep existing vein damage from getting worse.) Aside from exercise, these helpful lifestyle tips can help boost blood flow. But, did you know that improving circulation does more than simply protect your vein health?

Well, it’s true! When your circulation works well, more blood reaches your muscles. That can improve your athletic performance, making it easier to stay active at home or on the go. Plus, for men, poor blood flow can be linked to erectile dysfunction. So staying on top of your circulatory health can help protect male fertility.

All of that sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? We agree. With that in mind, we invite you to give our at-home exercise tips a try. And, if poor blood flow seems to be a problem, schedule an immediate appointmentschedule an immediate appointmentschedule an immediate appointment with our Houston and Dallas area vein specialists!

Sources: HealthiNation.com, klkntv.com

Can putting legs up against the wall help your veins?

Posted on June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle

Recently, everyone’s been talking about putting legs up against the wall to boost your health. But why is this simple move such a great wellness booster? And what can it do for your vein health? Let’s take a closer look!

Legs Up on the Wall Benefits

Putting your legs up against the wall has several potential health benefits. First, it’s a relaxing position that can help combat stress. Also, it’s a gentle, accessible inversion, but it can still reverse the effects of all-day sitting. Perhaps most importantly for your vein health, this position reverses gravity. In turn, the valves in your leg veins have an easier time pushing blood up and out toward your heart. Ultimately, putting legs up against the wall can help relieve temporary edema (swelling) in your feet and legs.

Putting Legs Up Against the Wall: Ideal Positioning

While getting into this position is pretty simple, a few tips can make it more comfortable for you. (And a lot easier to stay in the position for longer periods of time.) To start, get comfortable on the ground, lying flat on your back, with a yoga mat or blanket beneath you for support. Now, scoot your hips forward so that they make contact with the wall, with your legs up and against the wall. (Your body should be in an ‘L’ shape, with your legs at a 90 degree angle to your hips.)

Need a bit more support for the hips? You can gently prop them up with a folded blanket or a yoga bolster. Once comfortable, try to keep your legs up for at least 30 seconds to start. As you get used to having your legs up against the wall, you can extend the time you spend in this position. In fact, to get the full legs against wall benefits, try staying put for up to 15 minutes! But if you feel pain or tingling in your feet or legs, that means it’s time to take a break. Gently lower your legs and hug your knees into your chest for relief. Once you feel better, you can re-enter the pose. Or call it quits for the day, and start again tomorrow!

Putting Legs Up Against the Wall: Any Risks?

While the position is generally beneficial, some people may not be able to tolerate the pose. If you have conditions such as glaucoma or high blood pressure; if you are pregnant; or if you have heart, spine or respiratory conditions, talk to a licensed health care provider before beginning a legs against wall practice. Otherwise, if you are generally healthy and cleared for normal physical activity, this could be a great pose to incorporate into your daily wellness routine!

Boosting Vein Health in Houston and Dallas

For people with normal vein health, regular exercise and poses like legs against the wall can keep your blood circulating and prevent spider veins. But if you already have vein health concerns, exercise alone may not be enough to restore your vein health. In these cases, we invite you to schedule a consultationschedule a consultationschedule a consultation with our Texas Endovascular specialists. We can detect areas of concern, and come up with an ideal treatment plan to keep your veins in tip top shape.

How to Improve Circulation and 6 Signs You Need to Do It

Posted on June 2, 2023September 1, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle

Sometimes, you just need to know how to improve circulation. You may know that poor circulation can put your vein health at risk. But would you know if your circulation was already compromised? As it turns out, there are several early symptoms that you’ll notice when your circulation first becomes compromised. And we’re here to help you identify those warning signs, so you can see your vein specialist and get help to boost circulation right away.

Symptoms of Poor Circulation

When your circulation is sluggish, or not working as well as it should, you may notice that:

· Your hands and feet are often cold, or even numb

· Muscle cramps pop up, especially in your legs

· You experience tingling, throbbing or stinging leg pain

· There’s a blue tint to the skin on your legs

· The hair on your legs and feet may fall out

· Nails get brittle and skin is dry

When your circulation is compromised, your metabolism may slow down. And that means you may gain weight, even if your diet and exercise routine remains the same. At the same time, poor circulation can keep you from losing weight, regardless of your exercise or dietary efforts. That’s because slower circulation interferes with your body’s fat-burning processes. So, unexplained weight gain AND difficulties losing weight could both be signs of poor circulation.

Now you know some of the warning signs of poor circulation, let’s explore what causes those problems, and learn how you can give your circulatory system a boost.

What Causes Poor Circulation?

Many different issues can compromise your circulation. But certain conditions will almost certainly impact your blood flow. We’ll take a look at the three worst offenders.

Varicose veins

These bulging veins usually develop when your internal valves malfunction. That failure keeps blood from flowing up and out of your legs, towards your heart. It’s an obvious cause and symptom of poor circulation.
Diabetes
As your blood sugar levels are high, you can develop clogs in your blood vessel. This, in turn, will impact your circulation.
Obesity
Indirectly, carrying extra weight makes movement more challenging. And when movement is challenging, you become more sedentary, which can decrease your circulation. Extra pounds also put more pressure on your legs—and the veins inside them—increasing your risk of varicose veins.

So, now you’ve seen some of the issues that can make problems for your circulatory system, let’s figure out how to boost your circulation!

How to Improve Circulation

The most important way to protect your circulation is to live a healthy lifestyle. And that includes dropping your nicotine habit if you smoke or vape. Why is that so crucial? Nicotine hits your circulatory system with a two-part punch: first, it thickens your blood, which slows down its flow. Plus, it causes your blood vessels to narrow, which makes it even more difficult for blood to circulate through your body.

Of course, not smoking is important, but on its own, this step won’t completely protect you from circulatory problems. You should also strive to maintain a healthy blood pressure—have your levels checked regularly by your doctor, and strive to maintain a reading of 120 over 80 (or lower.) If you aren’t in that optimal range, discuss ways of lowering your pressure with your healthcare provider.

Lifestyle Changes to Boost Circulation

Certain lifestyle habits can also help improve your circulation—especially good hydration. Since your blood is about half water, staying hydrated helps keep it flowing through your body. It’s also important to move frequently throughout your day. Sitting or standing in one spot for extended periods of time takes a major toll on your circulation. Simply taking more walking breaks can do wonders, but consider stepping up your aerobic exercise by incorporating regular 30 minute sessions into your weekly routine. Swimming and biking are great, low-impact options.

Adding stretching to your routine can also help! Stretching out different areas of your body helps send blood to your various muscle groups, so start your day with a five-minute stretch session, or build quick stretch breaks into your day.

Prefer to work on circulation while you sleep? Experts say that sleeping in a zero-gravity position (that means keeping your back flat, but lifting your head and feet a bit above your heart) can improve circulation and reduce your varicose vein risk. Sleeping on an adjustable bed makes it easy to get in this position. But you can pull it off with less expense by placing pillows at both ends of your bed.

Sounds too complicated? Here’s a great (and relaxing) way to boost circulation: get a massage! With a medically-approved massage, gentle rubbing in areas where your blood pools could boost circulation. Thanks to moderate pressure, that blood may get moving, and that could improve circulation to the rest of your body.

Circulation Boosting Diet and Gear

Your diet matters, too, when it comes to circulation. Eat lots of fruits and veggies, and carefully monitor (and limit) your salt intake. Other foods that can improve circulation include garlic, ginger, turmeric, fatty fish and raw, dark chocolate. But you should also limit (or avoid) the saturated fats found in many cheeses and animal proteins, as they can lead to fatty build-ups in your arteries, which will further hamper circulation. Try adding green tea to your diet if you need to boost circulation. As few as two cups a day could relax your blood vessels. This could, in turn, widen them and help boost circulation and blood flow.

And, finally, if circulation problems are already seriously impacting your health, you may want to avoid tight clothing such as Spanx or skinny jeans. Additionally, you may want to begin compression therapy. This sounds scarier than it actually is. In fact, this form of therapy involves the regular wearing of compression stockings. These simple pieces of clothing (which now come in a variety of styles and colors) put a little pressure on your legs to help get blood out of the area and back up to your heart. This can improve your circulation and limit many of the symptoms associated with circulatory problems, like spider veins or heavy, achy legs.

If left untreated, circulatory problems can cause you to experience serious health problems. But if you take note of early warning signals and seek treatment from your Houston vein specialistsseek treatment from your Houston vein specialistsseek treatment from your Houston vein specialists, you can improve your circulation and avoid or even reverse any associated complications!

Sources: SCNow.com, University Herald, Bel Marra Health

This is How Much Sleep You Need, for Your Arteries

Posted on May 23, 2023July 24, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle

Ever wondered how much sleep you need? After all, when it comes to getting sleep, the amount you get never feels like enough. So maybe you’ve been using more work-from-home opportunities in order to catch up on sleep. That’s certainly a good idea. But take note: when it comes to getting sleep, you can get too much. At least, that is, in terms of your vein health.

How Much Sleep You Need for Vein Health

According to a study from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, your arteries need a very specific amount of sleep. And that magic number falls in the range of six to eight hours, every night.

Specifically, the study revealed that getting less or more sleep resulted in “stiffer” arteries, meaning they were less likely to contract. And, unlike your muscles, stiff arteries can’t be loosened up so easily.

More Evidence on Sleep

Adding to concerns about missing sleep? A study in the European Heart Journal revealed that sleeping less than 5 hours each night makes you 74% more likely to develop PAD than those who sleep 7-8 hours each night.

While this study was merely observational, and didn’t pinpoint why short sleep increases PAD risk, the problem is likely explained by inflexible veins and arteries. Because less flexible veins and arteries struggle to keep your blood pumping. And, when that happens, you’re more likely to see plaque build up in your arteries. And, in turn, you’ll see a jump in risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), heart attacks and strokes.

Now, under-sleeping is a bigger problem than over-sleeping—both for your arteries and the rest of your body. When you sleep less than six hours a night, your arterial risk increases by 54%. A study in the European Heart Journal reveals that sleeping less than 5 hours in a night increases your PAD risk by a whopping 74%. On the other hand, sleeping more than eight hours increases your risk by 39%.

In fact, one Chinese study directly linked longer sleep durations with decreased physical activity. (And increased PAD risk!) Now, that;s just one study. And the perceived risk increase is relatively minor. So, while that’s less of a problem, it’s still not great. Clearly, prioritizing optimal those ‘zzzzs’ is crucial to your health.

How to Get More Rest

There are many different methods you can use to get enough hours in each night. In order to stay in the optimal range, create a bed time and waking time for yourself. And stick to those times every single day, even on weekends.

Additionally, make time for daily exercise, but try to sneak those sweat sessions into the earlier part of your day. Late night exercise may interfere with your sleep. It’s also important to avoid large meals towards the end of the day. And start shutting down screens in the last hour before bedtime, as blue light can interfere with your sleep.

On that note, try to keep all devices out of your bedroom. To create a better sleep environment, it’s wise to keep your room as dark as possible. (Black out shades could be very helpful.) You may also want to turn your thermostat down a few degrees before bed, since cooler temperatures can help you enjoy a more restful night of sleep.

Need more help protecting your veins and arteries? Reach out to our Houston vein specialists for an in-office consultation! We can help make sure your arteries are getting everything they need.

Sources: Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Check Out These 3 Minimally Invasive Vein Treatments

Posted on May 9, 2023May 16, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle

The doctors in our practice offer minimally invasive vein treatments. But, so often, we get asked about our medical specialty: what is an interventional radiologist? At the most basic level, it means we treat medical conditions such as spider veins and peripheral arterial disease with minimally invasive techniques.

Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to perform more invasive procedures. After all, the doctors at our Houston and Dallas area vein clinics attended four years of medical school. Next, they completed four-year diagnostic radiology residencies and Interventional Radiology fellowships.

So, what’s the difference between our specialty and those of other doctors? Our goal as interventional radiologists is to offer less expensive, less invasive alternatives to surgery. And our procedures come with shorter recovery periods, less pain and lower risks of complications.

But what does an interventional radiology procedure look like? We’ll take a closer look in a moment. But first, we must explain the difference between spider and varicose veins.

Spider veins vs varicose veins: What’s the difference?

People use the terms spider veins and varicose veins interchangeably. But that’s a problem, since these similar concerns have important differences. (And they impact your ultimate treatment options!)

Here’s the story: both spider and varicose veins are enlarged because of pooling blood. They develop when something goes wrong in your body, causing your valves to fail and blood to pool. But here’s the difference. Varicose veins typically develop in larger veins that sit deeper within your legs. They won’t just change color, but they’ll likely bulge under your skin, possibly looking like they’re tangled or twisted. In contrast, spider veins usually impact your legs’ smaller, superficial veins (close to the skin’s surface.) And, rather than bulging, they simply change color, their darker shade becoming the reason they’re visible on your skin.

Also, spider veins usually don’t hurt. But varicose veins are often very painful. And, while minimally invasive vein treatments can work for both conditions, they’re really best suited for spider veins. Because varicose veins may need different interventions.

What is a minimally invasive vein treatment?

During an IR procedure, your interventional radiologist is guided by an image, such as that from an ultrasound. This gives us a live picture of less accessible parts of your body. Making just a small incision, we guide that image to the remote location in your body using a catheter. And that’s why your treatments don’t require major surgical incisions!

Interventional radiology procedures include:

Spider vein ablation
This out-patient procedure sends heat to your malfunctioning veins, using a small catheter that we insert to your vein. The high, controlled temperature permanently closes up the problem vein or veins. And it eliminates the appearance on your skin, while preventing vein disease progression.
Uterine fibroid embolization
This is a, out-patient, in-hospital, non-surgical procedure that effectively kills these tumors without an overnight hospital stay! First, we gain access to your uterine artery through the radial artery in your wrist. (We can also begin with the femoral artery in your thigh.) Then, as with vein ablation, we insert a catheter to your artery, working towards the uterine artery and your fibroid. Finally, we insert embolic material to block blood flow to the tumor, causing it to shrink and, eventually, disappear.
Sclerotherapy:
This is a great option for varicose veins that don’t look great, but aren’t showing signs that you’ve got serious vein disease. Essentially, this is a great cosmetic treatment. With liquid sclerotherapy, we inject your veins with an FDA-approved solution. It’s designed to irritate the inside lumen of your spider veins. And that irritation causes spider veins to gradually collapse and shrink, so your body reabsorbs them. You’ll need between three or four 30-minute treatments, spaced at least three weeks apart. But if you have multiple varicose veins, you may require even more injections.
We love this treatment option for a few reasons. You don’t feel any pain with the injections. It’s safe and effective. (While your veins may look worse right after treatment, you should notice fading and improvements between 4-6 weeks after your injections.)
Plus, your only post-procedure restrictions will be avoiding sun exposure for several days.
With sclerotherapy, most people can get right back to walking after treatment. (You’ll typically wait two days before getting cleared for strenuous activities.)
Now, there are some downsides to this treatment option. Some patients need multiple sessions before seeing complete results. In rare cases, you may develop skin discoloration after treatment. Also, if your visible veins are large, painful or break down the overlying skin, sclerotherapy may not be your best choice.
IPL vs Sclerotherapy
Patients who can’t tolerate sclerotherapy may have questions about IPL, or intense pulsed light treatments. Like sclerotherapy, this treatment is minimally invasive. But it’s only a cosmetic treatment, designed to reduce the appearance of spider veins without addressing their underlying causes. As such, this is really only a treatment option for improvements in the appearance of mild spider veins. However, it may cause scarring in people with darker skin. And it isn’t considered a treatment for vein disease. So it may not be your best option. Instead, you may need to combine treatments with leaky valve repairs. Plus, you may want to remove your troubled veins with treatments like phlebectomy, highlighted below.
Phlebectomy
This is a surgical procedure, but it’s still minimally invasive. Basically, when your bulging veins are located right under your skin, we can use local anesthetic, then make several tiny incisions in your leg. Through those incisions, we remove your bulging vein and, because the slits were so small, you won’t need stitches and any scarring will be minimal. Plus, six months after your procedure, any marks should disappear entirely!

There are so many more ways we can address your vein health challenges without invasive surgery. But we want you to understand why that’s such a big deal for your overall health. So please keep reading to find out why you should explore minimally invasive vein treatments.

Interventional Radiology vs. Surgery: What’s the Benefit?

As we mentioned, IR procedures hurt less than surgeries. They are less likely to leave a scar and, thanks to image guidance, are often more precise than surgical procedures.

Many times, they can be performed with no overnight hospital stays. And no hospital stay means less out-of-pocket expenses for most patients!

So, does less pain, less cost, less risk and more accuracy sounds like what you’re looking for in a vein treatment? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Simply schedule a consultationschedule a consultationschedule a consultation with one of our highly trained Interventional Radiologists to learn if you are a good candidate for our treatment protocols.

Sources: Radiology Info

Can Lymphedema Exercises for Legs Help Me?

Posted on April 26, 2023September 1, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle, Vein Disease

Are you wondering if there are lymphedema exercises for legs that will relieve swelling? We don’t blame you! After all, swollen legs aren’t just uncomfortable. They could be a sign of a serious condition called venous insufficiency. (Also called VI, this is a condition in which your veins fail to circulate blood properly, especially to your lower extremities). As a result, you may develop troubling symptoms. One common side effect of VI is edema (swelling) in your the lower legs. And when you experience edema for an extended period of time, you are more susceptible to venous ulcers, open wounds that develop on your legs as a result of increased vein pressure due to your malfunctioning venous valves.

While ulcers can be frightening, there are several ways in which we can treat these sores. First and foremost, it’s important to address the underlying cause of the problem–your venous insufficiency and edema.

To help control edema, we recommend that patients wear compression stockings; the pressure will help encourage pooling blood to flow out of your legs and back up to your heart, reducing the swelling you experience in your legs. Elevating your legs can help as well: if you put your feet up above the level of your heart, it will also encourage pooling blood to leave your legs.

But there’s two more ways we can control edema and VI, reducing your risk of venous ulcers: diet and exercise!

Dietary Changes to Prevent Swollen Legs

If you’ve noticed swelling in your legs, it’s a great time to start changing your diet! First and foremost, cut back on your salt intake. Too much sodium in your diet can lead to water retention, making your edema symptoms worsen. Keep in mind that lots of canned soups, snacks, cheeses and even pickles are high in sodium, so it’s not enough to just bypass the salt shaker.

Next up on the dietary schedule? Drink more water. While it may seem strange, increasing your fluid intake can actually help flush retained fluid from your body. So, if edema is a problem for you, grab an 8-ounce water glass and start sipping!

Not a fan of H20? While water is best, other liquids may help you fight fluid retention. Some people find benefits from sipping dandelion tea. But since this fluid can interact with your medications, you should never drink this brew without your doctor’s approval. A safer choice? Try drinking lemon water! This will add a bit of pep to your regular water. And, as an added bonus, the lemon may help flush toxins–and excess fluid–out of your body! Finally, cranberry juice can also be a helpful beverage. Packed with magnesium, potassium and calcium, cranberry juice may help maintain proper fluid balance in your body. (Plus, it could help prevent urinary tract infections!)

Now, other nutrients may also help avoid water retention, but if your edema is related to vein disease, you should discuss serious dietary changes with your vein specialist. And you should also take a look at your exercise routine!

What to Wear with Lymphedema

In order to prevent symptoms from getting worse, you should choose loose-fitting clothing, and avoid tight jewelry as wear. Even your shoes should feel comfortably loose, to avoid constricting any affected areas. In fact, the only tight articles of clothing you should wear with this condition are compression garments recommended by your healthcare providers.

What You SHOULDN’T Do with Leg Swelling

If lymphedema affects your legs, there are things you should do to protect your health. But there are also actions you need to avoid. First, you shouldn’t put a heating pad on any area of affected skin. When your legs are impacted, try not to stand for too long. Then, when you’re sitting or lying down, elevate the affected leg. Finally, make sure not to get a new tattoo on any body part that’s affected by lymphedema.

Lymphedema Exercises for Legs to Prevent Ulcers

As long as your doctor has cleared you for physical activity, certain forms of lymphedema exercises for legs can help manage VI, edema and ulcers. Exercises that are particularly effective include:

Walk your way to a lower risk of vein disease!

Ankle flexions (point your toes forward, away from the body, then flex them, pulling the toes toward your shin). The exercise is even more effective if performed while standing, or with the addition of a resistance band will further enhance the effects.
Brisk walking intervals, scattered throughout the day, will strengthen your calf muscle, helping it contract and push blood out of your lower legs.
Treadmill walking, especially at an incline, if this is possible for you, will further strengthen your calf muscles. If you aren’t up to treadmill walking, you can get similar benefits from rocking in a rocking chair, pushing off the ground with your feet to rock.
If you already have lymphedema, swimming is an excellent choice. It works because you’re horizontal and in constant motion, without impact on your legs.
Riding a recumbent bike is also a good choice because you’ll keep your legs slightly elevated and in motion. But you’ll do so with little impact on your lower body.

Of course, the best way to prevent ulcers is to maintain ideal vein health. If you start to notice any signs of VI or edema, come in and schedule a diagnostic vein scancome in and schedule a diagnostic vein scancome in and schedule a diagnostic vein scan. That way, we can stay on top of your vein health before more serious problems set in.

Sources: thehealthsite.com, healthline.com