Category: Spider Veins

How to Get Rid of Varicose Veins: The Best Options

Posted on May 18, 2023May 16, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Sclerotherapy, Spider Veins

When you have bulging, painful varicose veins, you want them gone, but you need to know how to get rid of varicose veins. Clearly, there are many different ways to address this visible symptom of vein disease. But, if you are wondering what treatment will deliver the fastest relief with few complications, we’re here to help. And here’s the good news! Researchers in the UK also wondered what’s the best varicose vein treatment? That’s why they conducted a study, comparing the results of surgical and non-surgical varicose vein treatments. And we’re guessing you’ll be pleased by what they discovered!

Surgery and Varicose Veins: A Genetic Link

What’s the best way to get rid of varicose veins? A new study in Nature Communications suggests that some people’s genetics increase their risk for varicose vein surgery. This was the largest study to ever explore varicose veins, following over 400,000 individuals with varicose veins, plus another 400,000 of their relatives using the site 23andMe.

Now, it’s important to understand the genetic risks of developing these bulging veins. But here’s what’s even more exciting for your Houston vein specialists. In that same study, researchers noted that their findings pave the way for better treatments in the future. And, at least in our office, the future is now, thanks to our less invasive treatment options. Let’s take a closer look!

Is Varicose Vein Surgery Better Than Other Treatments?

The results were from a CLASS (Comparison of Laser, Surgery and Foam Sclerotherapy) study. Of all the treatments they explored, two non-surgical treatments are ones we provide in our Houston and Dallas area vein clinics. These include Foam Sclerotherapy and Laser Ablation. Before we get to the results of this study, let’s take a closer look at one of the options: Sclerotherapy!

What is Sclerotherapy?

The name of this varicose vein treatment comes from the words sclero,” (which means hard) and “therapeia,” (healing). With this treatment, we inject hardening agents to your varicose veins. This causes you to develop scar tissue in those veins. Then, it blocks blood flow, so your varicose veins shrink and eventually disappear.

Because the treatment involves an easy injection, it’s considered a minimally invasive procedure. But it’s not the best treatment for all varicose veins, since it works best for small vessels that are close to the surface of your skin. (In some cases, sclerotherapy may help heal your venous leg ulcers, too.)

Not everyone can handle this treatment option. You shouldn’t choose sclerotherapy if you’re pregnant or living with kidney disease, leukemia or HIV. Also, if you’ve had a blood clot or leg operation, this may not be your best treatment option.

So, now you understand what’s involved in this treatment option, let’s get back to answering our original question: which treatment option works best?

What’s the Best Varicose Vein Treatment? Science Weighs In!

As we mentioned, the CLASS study compares the results of treating your veins with surgery or less invasive options. And the study didn’t just look at the immediate impact. Instead, researchers compared the treatment’s long-term results with surgery. With sclerotherapy, we inject your abnormal vein with a substance that gradually causes its collapse. With ablation, we use bursts of laser light to collapse your vein. Both are minimally invasive procedures.

For this study, researchers followed 800 varicose vein patients treated between 2008 and 2012. At the end of five years, patients answered questions about their quality of life, the financial cost and their willingness to recommend the treatment to others.

Almost all of the participants were happy with their results. Nearly all participants reported feeling better after treatment. And most participants would undergo and recommend the same treatment again.

Researchers also discovered that ablation and surgery delivered slightly better results than sclerotherapy. They found ablation was the most cost-effective option. And, though it wasn’t mentioned in the study, here’s something vein specialists know: sclerotherapy and ablation come with less down time and fewer complications than surgery.

With these findings, the study—and our blog post—gets a happy ending. Even though many people get varicose vein surgery, you don’t have to. And that’s because non-surgical treatments deliver great results: at a lower cost and, typically, without hospital stays!

What About Over the Counter Vein Treatments?

Sold on low-cost vein care, but still worried about even a minimally invasive procedure? You may be tempted to try a varicose vein cream or gel, like the kind you can buy in a drug store or online. Now, some may reduce the surface appearance of twisted, swollen veins. But remember: varicose veins form because of malfunctioning valves deep beneath the surface of your skin. So, since topical creams can’t address the medical cause of your vein disease, they aren’t a money-saving treatment option. In fact, they’re no better for you than a five dollar drugstore moisturizer. You’d be better off investing in a lasting, effective treatment option. And the sooner, the better…as you’ll see in a second!

When Should You Treat Varicose Veins?

Now you know what’s the best varicose vein treatment, you’ve got to know: when should you get them treated. And the answer is: now: Why? Here are 5 reasons to treat varicose veins immediately:

1. To treat the root cause of vein disease

Before starting any vein treatment, Dr. Fox and Dr. Hardee will always perform a comprehensive ultrasound evaluation. This allows them to diagnose underlying chronic venous insufficiency, which is the improper functioning of valves in the vein. It also means that all of the diseased veins can be treated. The perforator (connector) diseased veins are just as important to treat as the varicose veins near the surface of the skin.

2. To improve symptoms that are impacting your daily life

Varicose veins can cause persistent and annoying symptoms that can impact your quality of life and signal that vein treatment is necessary. Symptoms of varicose veins can include tiredness, heaviness, achiness, pain, cramps, burning, stinging, itchiness, or a feeling of restlessness in your legs. More serious symptoms, including spontaneous bleeding from veins or recurrent skin infections, should be treated immediately. After varicose vein treatment, underlying symptoms will improve quickly over time.

3. To get rid of the look of varicose veins

Swollen, bulging, and rope-like veins are the most visible sign of venous insufficiency that can be resolved with our treatments. Dr. Fox or Dr. Hardee will remove the bulging veins through tiny incisions or inject medication to close the varicose vein so that it shrinks over time and is no longer noticeable.

4. To find out how to prevent future varicose veins

The primary cause of varicose veins are things outside of your control such as family history, age, gender, and family history. However, our doctors can provide advice to prevent vein disease from getting worse. Also, you can help prevent new varicose veins from forming by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. Now, you may also avoid clothes and shoes that reduce circulation, choose to quit smoking and wear compression stockings to further reduce your risk.

Our specialists at Texas Endovascular will provide recommendations for making lifestyle changes that can help minimize the occurrence of varicose veins.

5. To know if this could be a sign of other health conditions

Studies have shown that having varicose veins can be a sign of increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a serious blood clot that is usually in the leg, as well as pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a blood clot that travels to the lungs. Having varicose veins is also linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD), a circulatory issue that results in reduced blood flow to the limbs.

Schedule an evaluation today!

Sources: The New England Journal of Medicine

What is toasted skin syndrome ?

Posted on April 19, 2023May 17, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Spider Veins

What is toasted skin syndrome? And how can you prevent and treat this condition? Well, this condition is a relatively recent concern, caused by working with your laptop on bare skin for hours on end. Want to know more about the causes and remedies? Keep reading to find out about toasted skin syndrome, and how our Houston and Dallas area vein specialists can help you combat some of its effects.

What is toasted skin syndrome?

According to a study published in the journal Cureus, this condition is a fairly rare form of darkened skin patches caused by extended exposure to heat or infrared light. (Like the kind of exposure you’d get from placing your laptop on bare legs, and leaving it there for hours.) Now, how does your laptop cause changes in your skin color? Basically, extended exposure to heat can change the superficial blood vessels in your skin. (These are the ones most often involved when you develop spider veins.) Soon, you’ll notice patches of discolored or darker skin. but these visible symptoms may just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impact of toasted skin syndrome.

Other Signs and Symptoms

While the darker, ‘toasted’ skin patches are this syndrome’s main symptom, you may notice other warning signs, similar to those you’d get with a sunburn.

Over time, as you expose your skin to your laptop’s heat and light, you may also develop scaling on the skin, along with itchiness, burning or–you may have guessed it–spider veins!

Preventing Toasted Skin Syndrome

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to protect yourself from this syndrome. First and foremost, avoid bringing your laptop, iPad or other electronic device in contact with your bare skin. You can accomplish this by wearing long sleeves or pants when you work. Better yet? Think about keeping all devices on a tabletop or standing desk, instead. As a bonus outcome, this decision will also help you counteract some of the side effects of all-day sitting.

Treating Spider Veins in Houston, TX

Have you noticed spider veins forming on your legs, with or without the other symptoms of toasted skin syndrome? Help is available, and it’s easier to restore your skin’s appearance than you think. Here at our vein health offices in Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Clear Lake and The Woodlands, we offer minimally invasive treatments for spider veins. From sclerotherapy to Radiofrequency Ablation and more, we can provide the best treatment for your needs. So schedule an appointment today to find out the best way to resolve your spider veins!

When Varicose Veins Bleed, Here’s What to Do!

Posted on February 23, 2023February 22, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Spider Veins

When varicose veins bleed, it’s a sign of serious vein disease. But it all starts with a smaller problem: spider veins! So many people think that varicose veins are a cosmetic problem. But did you know that it’s fairly common for even small spider veins to trigger bleeding episodes?

Yes, you read that correctly. Even if you have small spider veins, something as simple as a little cut or bump could cause you to bleed. A lot. In fact, you might bleed so much that you have to seek medical attention to make it stop. And, want to know something even scarier? Sometimes, that bleeding event could happen spontaneously. In fact, it often happens when you’re taking a hot shower. The warm water dilates (opens up) your veins and brings more blood flow to already weakened areas. At this point, since the veins are so close to the surface of your skin, they may simply rupture.

Now, the point of this post isn’t to terrify you into treating your spider veins. But we do want to help you understand that leaving them untreated could contribute to further medical complications. And cause you more problems than embarrassment when your legs are exposed.

What Causes Varicose Veins to Bleed?

While every individual is different, we usually see a common thread when varicose veins trigger bleeding. Typically, we see that a vein slightly above your bleeding site has become incompetent. (That means it’s valves aren’t working.) This incompetency has allowed blood to collect in the veins. And that blood puts pressure on those veins, making them both larger and more delicate.

Now, don’t forget, varicose veins are located fairly close to the surface of your skin. Which means that, over time, your varicose veins become large, weak, easily-impacted store-houses for your blood. Now you understand why people with vein disease are more vulnerable to bleeding episodes, and why those episodes may result in serious blood loss.

Risks of Bleeding Varicose Veins

While rare, bleeding triggered by varicose veins that burst can be fatal. Now, if you’re pretty healthy otherwise, that shouldn’t happen. But if you are older or more socially isolated, a varicose vein bleed is more likely to cause serious harm. The same is true if you consume too much alcohol, take medication to prevent blood clots, or suffer from restricted mobility or dementia.

If you develop bleeding with your varicose veins, consider this side effect a medical emergency. Lie down right away, and elevate the affected leg above the level of your heart. Apply pressure to the site of your wound, and call for medical help if the bleeding doesn’t stop quickly.

Actually, after a varicose vein bleed, you should always check in with your vein specialist. Why is that the case? Well, even if your varicose vein bleed doesn’t prove fatal, it can still lead to serious complications. So, what can you do to prevent those complications? Well, the answer is fairly simple: treat your spider or varicose veins. That way, blood will stop pooling in your legs, and there will be less of a chance for serious blood loss if you do sustain a leg injury.

Fortunately, vein specialists like us offer a variety of different varicose vein treatments. The one you select will depend on your specific needs and, of course, the progression of our condition. But, you can’t pick a treatment without getting into the office. Which means that, if you have varicose veins and you’re worried about bleeding, you need to get scheduled for a diagnostic ultrasound as soon as possible. Contact our office today for an immediate appointment.

Sources: Bertran, Carol Grace, MD. “Varicose Veins Can be Fatal.” PhilStar Golbal, National Health Services

Do High Heels Cause Spider Veins?

Posted on February 8, 2023May 16, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Health Lifestyle, Spider Veins

If you’re looking at your shoe closet wondering, do high heels cause spider veins, you’re no alone! So many women have closets packed with high heels. Let’s face it, stilettos can be great–they make your legs look longer, they give you extra inches, and they add a stylish finish to almost any outfit.

That’s the good news about high heels…but here’s the not-so-good news. While wearing high heels won’t directly cause you to develop varicose veins, they can contribute to this problem by affecting blood flow in your veins. And, not surprisingly, the higher the heels, the bigger the negative impact on your vein health.

What Are Varicose Veins?

To understand the connection between high heels and varicose veins, we must first understand this problem and why it happens.

Over 25 million Americans have varicose veins. Some people will recognize the problem right away, thanks to visible symptoms like bulging veins or brightly colored veins that are visible on the skin’s surface.

Some symptoms of varicose veins are less obvious: heaviness, aching, swelling, tiredness, burning, stinging, and leg cramps are all signs that you may have a problem. Other symptoms, like swollen legs, changes in your skin and even ulcers are also symptoms of spider veins, but they can often be mistaken for other conditions.

Varicose veins are a faulty part of the venous system, which is just a group of pipes, pumps, and valves in your body. Veins are ‘pipes’ for blood. Valves are like stop signs that keep the blood flowing in the right direction–either up to your heart or away from your heart to your other body parts.

When any part of your venous system stops doing its job properly, blood can begin to pool in your veins, causing them to stretch and bulge. That’s when you may notice symptoms of varicose veins.

High Heels and Blood Flow: Do High Heels Cause Spider Veins?

When you walk, blood starts pumping in your foot and calf. Blood starts moving up the veins in your legs. Valves help that blood fight gravity and keep flowing up towards your heart.

Of course, that’s the case when your’re walking normally. When you stride wearing basic, supportive shoes, your foot and calf work together. Veins in your foot fill it with blood as it lifts off the floor. When your heel and arch land back on the floor, that blood starts flowing into the relaxed veins in your calf. Once there, your calf muscles get to work, pushing blood into the deep veins in your legs.

High heels are a game changer in this system because of the way they affect your stride. When you’re rocking those three-inch stilettos, your heel never touches the ground. All your weight stays in your toes and the balls of your feet. Plus, because of the angle of your body, your calf muscles never get the chance to relax when you’re in heels.

The result of these stride changes is fairly significant. Your foot gets less filled with blood; your calf muscles are less effective when they try to pump blood up to your heart. The decreased pump strength can leave some blood behind in your legs, allowing it to build up and pool in your veins. When this happens, your vein health may suffer.

Preventing Spider Veins

While no one expects you to give up high heels completely, there are steps you can take to limit the damage to your veins:

Save those stilettos for short events and special occasions.
Stick to heels that are no more than three inches (and shorter is even better).
If you’re going to be in heels for a while, consider throwing on a pair of compression stockings.
Strengthen your calf muscles once the heels come off by sneaking in a few sets of heel raises.
Check in with your Houston vein specialist if you start noticing any of the spider vein symptoms we discussed above.

While high heels don’t directly cause spider veins, they may create an environment that compromises your overall vein health. If you already have spider veins, or have a family history of vein disease, keeping a close watch on your shoe closet is a very good idea. You should also consider scheduling a consultation with our team of Houston and Dallas area vein specialists. Using diagnostic ultrasound, we can get a better picture of your current state of vein health, letting you know if you need any help preventing or treating faulty veins!

Sources: New York Times

This is Why you Treat Varicose Veins Quickly

Posted on February 1, 2023January 27, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Spider Veins

Why should you quickly treat varicose veins? Well, we all know that varicose veins are an unsightly problem. And, if left untreated, they may cause pain or discomfort. But did you know that leaving your varicose veins untreated can cause you to develop varicose veins in other areas of your body? Unfortunately, it’s true!

According to a study published in The Journal of Venous Diseases, untreated varicose veins in the pelvis can cause women and men to develop the same problem in their legs. Previously, the connection between pelvic and leg varicose veins was only established for women. With this new research, however, it becomes clear that men are also at risk.

Furthermore, reports from Harvard Health reveal that when you don’t treat varicose veins, you can develop pain, inflammation, rashes, skin discoloration, bleeding, infections, ulcers, blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.

Treat Problem Veins at their Root

Because 20% of women with varicose veins in their legs also have pelvic varicose veins, vein doctors now strongly recommend treating the pelvic veins before doing anything about women’s legs. Now, men who have testicular varicose veins will be told the same thing: treat your pelvic veins before addressing any problems in your legs. If the legs are treated first, it is highly likely that the varicose veins will reappear.

What does this mean for male patients with varicose veins? Let’s look at how this finding should affect treatment protocols.

A New Approach to Varicose Veins

Leg veins are pretty easy to examine and treat. After all, they’re usually right near the surface of your body. That makes it easy to spot any problems, usually with a simple ultrasound. Pelvic veins, especially in men, are much harder to spot, because they are buried deep within your body.

While full vein scans are not necessary for every patient experiencing varicose veins, looking beyond the legs may be crucial for treating some individuals–especially men and women with recurring problems. In other words, if the varicose veins in your legs keep coming back after treatment, you may have to look beyond the valves and veins in your trunk. According to the new evidence, a pelvic vein scan may be the only way to stop your varicose veins from coming back!

Tattoos and Varicose Veins: A Dangerous Combination

Now here’s a scary idea we want to shoot down. Some people decide to get tattooed on top of their bulging veins. Because, in their minds, covering up is easier than treating varicose veins. But here’s the problem with that plan.

First of all, any time you get a tattoo, you run the risk of infection. And that risk increases when you tattoo over a vein. Because the tattoo needle may puncture your vein–especially if it already bulges. In turn, you’d experience bleeding and leave yourself more vulnerable to invading germs and infections.

Even worse? If that happens, your varicose veins may look worse after the bleeding resolves. So, instead of camouflaging your bulging, twisted veins, this plan could just call more attention to the area.

Want a better plan to improve your vein’s appearance? In our Houston vein clinic, we are prepared to offer comprehensive vein scans. With a careful examination, Dr. Fox and Dr. Hardee will get to the root cause of your varicose veins. They will treat you appropriately to prevent your problem from becoming a repeat offender. If you can’t seem to get rid of your varicose veins, and you want to solve the problem for good, contact our office for an immediate consultation.

Sources: Journal of Venous Diseases

5 Reasons You Never Delay Vein Treatments

Posted on December 19, 2022December 19, 2022 by Texas Endovascular in Spider Veins

We hear so many explanations from patients who want to delay vein treatments for spider veins. “It’s just cosmetic.” “They don’t bother me that much.” “I don’t have time.” “I’ve got other problems to deal with first.”

Painful varicose and spider veins will only cause more problems down the road if left untreated!

Unfortunately, you may not realize that walking around with untreated spider veins can actually lead to further medical complications. Because vein disease is a progressive condition. So waiting on your treatment can lead to further complications. What could those be? Here are five health issues that may come up if you delay treating your spider or varicose veins.

Complications of Untreated Varicose Veins

Hyper-pigmentation
One reason varicose veins can be dangerous is that blood builds up inside of them. This blood doesn’t contain oxygen and nutrients. So it can cause cause chronic inflammation, and can change the way your skin looks. In fact, you may notice that your legs are darker or discolored. You could also develop painful swelling. .
Ulcers
Venous ulcers are open sores that can develop when your leg veins aren’t able to properly push blood back up towards your heart. First, the extra blood pools in your veins, causing the noticeable bulges of spider veins. If left untreated, however, the extra blood may leak through the vein, causing an ulcer to form, most frequently in the thin-skinned areas above the ankles. Ulcers are difficult to heal and can open your entire body up to serious infection. If left untreated, ulcers may leave you in need of a limb amputation. In rare cases, ulcers can even prove to be fatal.
Bleeding
When pooled blood is left, untreated, in your veins, the covering skin thins out due to the internal swelling and pressure. The thinner your skin, the less protection there is for your veins. And the more blood that pools in your veins, the larger a target they become for injury. All of this adds up to the fact that untreated varicose veins are at higher risk of being nicked or cut; if and when that does occur, you may stand to lose a significant amount of blood, because so much liquid will have collected in the injured vein.
Blood Clots
Varicose veins are more likely to become inflamed at the point where you can see them, which is just beneath your skin. This, in turn, can put you at higher risk for blood clots in those surface-level veins.
Deep vein thrombosis
Unlike surface level blood clots, DVTs occur in the veins that hide deep within your legs. Because they are harder to detect, they are a scarier side effect: DVTs are known to break free, without warning, and travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism), where they become a potentially life-threatening complication.

Answering Questions on Vein Treatments

By now, we hope you’re convinced about seeking help for vein disease. But how can you know if you’re ready for vein treatments? Well, if you have any signs of spider or varicose veins, you qualify for treatment: it doesn’t matter how large or small the problem.

Concerned about insurance covering your vein treatments? Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that fact. But, we can let you know that we accept many different insurance plans, and we’re also happy to help you finance treatment in other ways if your insurance won’t cover the cost of treatment.

And guess what: you have plenty of different treatment options! Depending on the severity of your condition, we may recommend something completely non-invasive, such as compression therapy. In other cases, cosmetic sclerotherapy may correct your concerns, while still other patients may benefit from options such as radiofrequency ablation, perforator ablation or phlebectomy.

We know that you may worry about the discomfort surrounding vein treatments, and that’s a valid worry. Some patients do experience minor discomfort or bruising. Still, these effects are temporary, and less painful than living with progressive vein disease.

After your vein treatments, you can usually resume your regular activity routine. But you will have to follow some post-procedural directives, such as wearing compression socks and avoiding direct sunlight on your treatment areas. While you heal, you’ll start seeing vein treatment results fairly quickly. Most patients notice a cosmetic difference within a few weeks of vein treatments. And symptom relief gets better throughout the entire healing process, which typically takes about three months for full results.

Booking Your Vein Treatments in Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Clear Lake and The Woodlands

Clearly, varicose veins are so much more than a cosmetic concern. If left untreated, they can cause you to experience a whole host of serious medical complications. Now that you know the facts, stop the excuses and make an appointment at one of our five Houston-area vein clinics. We’ll being the process of addressing those unsightly veins in your legs. Yes, you’ll feel better about the way you look but, more importantly, you’ll be taking a major step towards protecting your long-term health!

Sources: Journal of Phlebology

What’s the worst varicose veins age?

Posted on November 30, 2022November 30, 2022 by Texas Endovascular in Spider Veins, Treatment, Varicose Veins, Vein Disease

Ugh…those awful spider veins! They look awful and they can really hurt, too! If you have been distressed recently and noticed the appearance of little red and blue lines on your legs, don’t panic. Yes, you are young, healthy, and quite fit, so why would you see those “old lady” leg symptoms? Well guess what: there’s not one varicose veins age when you can expect these bulging guests on your legs.

You may not like how they look, but the fact is that they can become a serious health concern. With that said, there are some facts you should know about spider veins even if you are young. This is the best way to protect the appearance of your legs and enjoy healthy aging!

Continue reading “What’s the worst varicose veins age?” →

Does Crossing Your Legs Cause Spider Veins?

Posted on April 19, 2022May 17, 2023 by Texas Endovascular in Spider Veins

Does crossing your legs cause spider veins? We’ll get to that in a minute. First, we have to ask a different question. How many times a day do you look down and realize you’ve got crossed legs? Are you doing it right now? We’ve likely all heard that crossing your legs can be problematic, but do you know why? Or how long it takes for vein damage to set in? Here’s the low down on leg crossing.

Could Crossed Legs Cause Spider Veins?

To be clear: we can’t prove that crossed legs cause spider veins. But while there hasn’t been conclusive proof to date, there seems to be a definite connection between crossing your legs and the appearance of varicose veins. The connection seems to be a result of pressure: varicose veins develop when veins are over-tasked. And resting one leg on the other can restrict blood flow, causing extra blood to pool and stretch out the over-worked veins.

Still, constantly crossing your legs could lead to trouble. Why? You have a big vein, called the popliteal vein, that runs through the back bend of your knee. When you put too much pressure on that vein, you can reduce the amount of blood flowing up the back of your legs. Over time, that can affect your vein health, even raising your risk for blood clots. And that’s because your popliteal vein is one of the ‘deep veins’ where you could develop a DVT.

Can Crossing Your Legs Cause Spider Veins? Other Concerning Positions

Now, while we don’t know if leg crossing causes varicose veins, we do know it can lead to other issues. First of all, if you cross your legs a lot, you’re going to experience lower back pain. Also, let’s go back to that leg pressure. Even if varicose veins don’t pop up, the pressure from crossing your legs will make your veins more prominent. And that seems to be a step on the road to varicose veins.

Of course, crossing your legs is just one piece of the varicose vein puzzle: even without assuming this position, extended periods of sitting can cause problems in your veins. After all, when you sit for a long time (like all day at a desk or for hours on a long flight) blood can pool in your legs, making it harder to flow back up to your heart. Once again, situations like these can compromise your veins and allow for the unsightly bulging of varicose veins.

Managing the Impact

Try telling someone not to think of a pink elephant, and that’s immediately what pops into their minds, right? The same can be said of trying to break a leg-crossing habit: for many of us, especially for skirt-wearing women, this seated position is just second nature.

So, if you can’t stop crossing, how can you protect your vein health?

First of all, set up your desk to make it more conducive to healthy sitting habits. Adjust your seat height so both feet can rest comfortable on the floor without restricting access to your keyboard or other desk items.

Next, limit the amount of time you spend in any one position, whether it’s flat-footed or cross-legged sitting, or even standing in one spot. If you’re able, take brief walking breaks every 20-30 minutes to take the toll off your veins—and your back. Even a few minutes of walking, spread throughout the day, will go a long way towards staving off many of the problems associated with sitting, including the appearance of varicose veins.

But what if your job doesn’t allow you to just get up and walk around? Not to worry, you can still keep your veins flowing freely. Consider subtle desk stretches, like reaching down to touch your toes or swiveling your feet and ankles in circles. Even simple movements like these, done frequently throughout the day, can help prevent blood from pooling in your feet and legs.

Signs of Varicose Veins

If you’re worried that crossed veins cause spider veins, here’s some signs to watch for. First, watch out for veins that are visible. Even if your veins aren’t twisted or bumpy, changes in vein surface color could mean varicose veins are hiding underneath. It’s also a warning sign if the skin over your veins becomes dry, sore or itchy. If you’ve got varicose veins, you may also notice staining on the skin around your ankle. It could look red, yellow or brown, but all those changes could be signs that blood reflux is causing inflammation. Finally, if your legs are often swollen, heavy or aching, that could be a sign of brewing vein problems.

Now, getting back to our original question: does leg crossing hurt your veins? While we can’t conclusively answer, “yes,” we can certainly say, “maybe.” And it’s a distinct possibility if you’ve notice any of these varicose vein warning signs. So, as Houston vein doctors, we hope that likely causation will be enough motivation to keep you uncrossed and moving around throughout the day. Your back, heart and, most likely, your veins will all be happy you did! But if you just can’t stop, or you’re already dealing with symptoms of varicose veins, make an appointment to see our Houston vein specialists today!

Sources: womenshealthmag.com, shape.com

Are there Varicose Vein Complications? 7 Warning Signs to Watch For

Posted on April 7, 2022April 1, 2022 by Texas Endovascular in COVID-19, Spider Veins

Chronic vein conditions can lead to varicose vein complications. That’s why it’s important to treat those varicose veins quickly. Why is that the case? When you have this condition, you may develop varicose veins complications, many of which are serious. And you truly need to worry about these issues if you delay or forego vein treatment.

Are Varicose Veins Complications a Threat to Your Health?

We often hear people saying that varicose veins are unattractive, but no big deal. Which is why we’re here to tell you: that’s just not true!

If you can see those varicose veins, it’s a sign of more serious health problems brewing beneath the surface of your skin. They tell vein specialists like us that the valves in your veins aren’t working properly. As a result, blood is pooling in your veins, and not flowing back up to your heart as it should.

At first, that pooling may just cause your veins to bulge and become more visible. Often, painful cramps go along with varicose veins. That can make it difficult to get around and do your regular activities.

But, if left untreated, your problems won’t stop there. Soon, you may notice other symptoms. Including these 7 complications of untreated varicose veins.

8 Symptoms of Untreated Vein Disease

Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to swelling in your legs, also called edema.
The swelling may be painful, so your legs can hurt, and need rest and elevation to feel better.
You may experience fatigue since this study proves varicose vein complications can lead to restless leg syndrome. And that can disrupt your sleep, leaving you tired the next day. Alternatively, heavy legs can wear you out more throughout the day. Then, as this study shows, your legs may cramp more at night, making it harder to sleep. And the study shows this symptom is worse for women than for men.
Next, you’ll be at a higher risk for blood clots, especially DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis, a clot that forms in your deep leg veins. This situation is an emergency—if the clot breaks free, it can travel to your lungs and may be fatal.)
And that’s not all you’ll face. As your veins bulge, that pressure could damage your skin, leaving you vulnerable to infections and ulcers (these are open wounds that resist healing.)
Your skin can also change in appearance, turning dark and discolored. Over time, the skin may even thicken, and taken on a rough texture.
Additionally, you’ll be more likely to experience bleeding episodes, some of which may be serious and require immediate medical attention.
You’ll increase your risk for restless legs. This refers to a condition where you feel the constant urge to move your legs; it’s uncomfortable and can leave your sleep disturbed. About 30% of people with varicose veins experience restless leg symptoms, especially after bedtime.

Now you know why, even now, you can’t ignore those varicose veins. But we’re not just here to scare you. So, please follow our advice for treating varicose veins during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Treating Varicose Veins in Houston

After diagnosis, we can manage your vein health at home with some lifestyle changes. We can recommend compression garments to improve your blood flow, and reduce pooling and swelling. Plus, we can help you move more, which can also help varicose veins. And we can realistically determine whether you’ll need to schedule an in-office procedure to get rid of your varicose veins.

But we can’t help you if we don’t see you. So please, don’t ignore current health issues. If you notice varicose veins, reach out right away. The sooner we start treatment, the more likely it is that we can successfully manage your condition from the safety of your home.

Sources: Harvard Health

How to Fight Varicose Veins in Cold Weather

Posted on December 27, 2021December 26, 2021 by Texas Endovascular in Sclerotherapy, Spider Veins

Look out, Houston: it’s the one time of year when we may be facing cold weather. (Or, more likely, when you’ll be traveling away from the Gulf to colder climates where you can ski!) While cold weather is not something we need to worry about all that often in our area of Texas, it can be a real problem for individuals with varicose veins. Or for those people, like pregnant women, with a higher risk of developing them. Here’s why:

Cold Weather Affects Your Circulation

You know that song, “the weather outside is frightful?” Nothing inspires people to stay indoors, and stay sitting, like a dip in temperature. It’s way too tempting to skip a trip to the gym when you could read a good book in your cozy bed, instead.

Unfortunately, exercise is very important for individuals with vein conditions like varicose veins. Staying sedentary worsens existing vein problems because your blood pools more and gets moved around your body even less than normal.

But that’s not the only reason cold weather is bad for your veins. Have you ever noticed that, when you’re cold, your toes and fingers start to change color? Maybe they look a little blue? That’s because the cold weather has affected your circulation, and less blood is reaching your extremities. Of course, this is uncomfortable for anyone stuck in the cold, but for people with vein problems, it can really exacerbate your condition.

How Cold Weather Can Help Varicose Veins

Thankfully, cold weather isn’t all bad for your veins. In fact, in some ways, cooler temperatures can be beneficial to your vein health! Unlike hot weather, that can leave your body sore and swollen, cold weather can actually cause your veins to constrict. For people with varicose veins, a condition that’s cause by pooling blood that contributes to swollen, bulging veins, this is a major positive. So take heart: your varicose veins may actually appear smaller in the cold. You may also experience fewer symptoms, like cramping and swelling, when it’s cold outside.

Of course, any weather-related symptom relief will disappear when temperatures come back up. Sadly, problems that are exacerbated by cold weather may not improve, even when it’s warm again. In order to truly protect yourself from weather-related vein symptoms, your only option is to seek treatment for the underlying problem. At our Houston vein clinic, we are happy to offer diagnostic vein scans, so schedule your appointment today, before the chilly weather gets the best of you!