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healthy legs & good circulation

Leg Vein Issues Are A Guy Thing, Too!

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When you hear about varicose veins, what comes to mind? Your mother? Grandmother? Wife? If that’s the case, you’re not alone. Leg vein problems are typically thought to be a women’s issue, but in reality, the condition affects the genders nearly equally. At Gilvydis Vein Clinic, 45% of our patient base is male, with a wide variety of ages represented.

People usually think of varicose veins as a purely cosmetic issue, but they cause far more troubles than the gnarled, bulging veins we typically associate with vein disease. Leg vein disease symptoms often include pain, swelling, heaviness, and throbbing that make everyday activities difficult. Left untreated, it can progress to cellulitis, scar tissue, ulcers, bleeding, blood clots, and even deep vein thrombosis, a potentially fatal condition.

Varicose veins develop for a variety of reasons, including a family history of the condition. Other contributing factors include prolonged sitting or standing, which negatively impacts blood flow, along with smoking, consuming too much sodium, and being overweight. While young people are certainly susceptible to vein disease, the risk increases with age because of the loss of tissue tone and muscle mass, along with a weakening of the venous walls.

There are several steps you can take to help alleviate the discomfort of varicose veins, such as:

  • Losing weight
  • Eating more fiber
  • Consuming more vitamin C
  • Drinking more water
  • Watching your salt intake
  • Eating foods rich in rutin, a flavonoid found in asparagus, berries, figs, and other produce

Exercise also helps, especially biking and walking. Elevate your legs when resting and avoid crossing your legs while sitting. Compression socks or stockings may also provide some relief.

While these tactics are helpful, the only way to rid yourself of varicose veins – and the associated health risks – is to undergo treatment. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since the days of vein stripping and other scary-sounding procedures. At Gilvydis Vein Clinic, our minimally invasive treatments such as endovenous laser ablation and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy are highly effective and covered by most insurance plans. There’s no scarring and recovery time is minimal, with many patients returning to their normal activities the same day.

June is a busy month for the guys – it’s Men’s Health Month and Father’s Day is June 21. Guys, remember – don’t ignore your symptoms that could be related to vein disease. And ladies, think about all the important men in your life and encourage them to get the treatment they deserve – especially if they’ve been complaining about pain and other symptoms.

Stop letting painful, swollen legs slow you down. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and read more about other men who’ve taken steps to treat their varicose veins.

Varicose vein treatment options

5 Natural Cures for Varicose Veins

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If you are bothered by the appearance of your legs due to dark, protruding veins, you may want a varicose vein treatment so you can show those gams off again in confidence.

At Gilvydis Vein Clinic, we can offer you different options for managing these unpleasant veins. Here are five ideas for natural cures for varicose veins.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are veins, primarily in your leg, that have become bulging or twisted just under the surface of the skin. They are quite visible in appearance and are often dark blue or purple. While for some people they are merely a cosmetic nuisance, for others varicose veins may cause:

  • Itching surrounding the vein
  • Aches and pains in the leg, including a heavy feeling
  • Cramping, burning or throbbing in the leg
  • Skin tenderness or swelling

There are different reasons why certain people develop varicose veins, such as family history, excess weight, the aging process, smoking, and prolonged sitting or standing.

Many with this condition seek a varicose vein treatment to give relief from this unsightly medical issue. Luckily, various options exist, including natural cures for varicose veins.

Have vein questions? Contact Gilvydis Vein Clinic in Naperville, Sycamore, and Geneva, IL for more information.

Implement Dietary Changes

First, you want to be sure to reduce water retention in your body. While decreasing the intake of salty foods, do eat foods that are rich in potassium, such as lentils, white beans, bananas, almonds, pistachios, leafy vegetables, and potatoes.

Also, be sure to eat plenty of fiber so you can have smooth bowel movements. This avoids the straining that can occur with constipation, which can exacerbate the protrusion of the veins. Fiber can be found in whole-grain foods, oats, seeds, and nuts.

Wear Compression Stockings

When you wear compression stockings, blood is pushed towards the heart due to the pressure from the stockings. These specialty socks can be purchased from either your local pharmacy or ordered online.

It is best to wear compression stockings that come up to your knees. Be sure to put the stockings on first thing in the morning, while you are still horizontal in bed, for best results.

Elevate Your Legs

Whenever you can, elevate your legs to redirect blood flow to the heart. Optimally, legs should be at or above heart level for maximum effectiveness.

Placing pillows on a coffee table or sofa arm and then propping your legs atop is one comfortable varicose vein treatment using items currently found in your house. This remedy is especially important if your job requires you to be on your feet all day.

Watch Your Health

Maintaining a healthy body is one of the best ways to avoid varicose veins or to keep them from getting worse. Exercise is vital to keep your blood circulating throughout your body and also helps to reduce inflammation.

Whether you walk, swim, or play tennis, keeping your blood flowing is good not only for your vein health but also for your overall health. Supplement low or high-impact cardio with strength, stretching and flexibility exercises, too.

Try Essential Oils and Plant Extracts

It turns out that not only do essential oils and other plant extracts smell good, but they may also have beneficial medical properties, too. One main cause of varicose veins is chronic venous insufficiency, and one study found that horse chestnut seed extract to alleviate the symptoms of this medical condition.

Other promising natural cures for varicose veins include yarrow, grapevine and sea pine essential oils. You should talk to your doctor about these options to confirm that there will not be an interaction with any medication you are taking.

If you are tired of looking at your varicose veins, contact Gilvydis Vein Clinic to request an appointment today. Our experienced, professional staff can discuss these natural treatments along with ultrasound vein mapping, sclerotherapy, and endovenous laser ablation to find the best varicose vein treatment for you.

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Relieving Pain from Varicose Veins

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Studies estimate that more than 40 million Americans suffer from varicose veins. Normally, one-way valves in the veins of your legs keep blood flowing toward the heart. When varicose veins are present, the normal flow of blood is disrupted. The presence of varicose veins results in painful or uncomfortable veins that have filled with blood and can be seen on the surface of the legs.

Varicose can cause several different symptoms and, depending on the severity of your varicose veins, can make it hard to perform day-to-day tasks.

Here at Gilvydis Vein Clinic in Sycamore, Geneva, and Naperville, Illinois, Dr. Gilvydis – a board-certified interventional radiologist – knows firsthand how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be living with varicose veins.

“I became interested in treating vein diseases when while in medical school I began experiencing aching and restlessness in my legs due to varicose veins,” says Dr. Gilvydis. “I ended up having procedures done on both of my legs to address the problem, which resulted in no more leg pain or discomfort. I knew I found my calling to help others suffering from vein disease to get back to their lives pain free.”

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This is why we offer outpatient, minimally invasive varicose vein treatment options so you can comfortably have your varicose veins treated, and head home to rest the same day.

It is recommended that varicose vein sufferers experiencing leg pain, swelling, restlessness in the legs, cramping and/or throbbing, see a board-certified doctor like Dr. Gilvydis, to rule out any serious vein or blood clot complications.

If you have varicose veins and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, try these helpful tips to reduce discomfort:

  • Avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting
  • Elevate your legs when possible (above the level of your heart)
  • Maintain a healthy weight through exercise and diet
  • Physical activity with your legs promotes circulation
  • Compression stockings may be used in some patients (ask your doctor first)
  • Avoid wearing high heels for prolonged periods
  • Don’t wear overly tight clothing that may restrict blood flow

There is no way to completely prevent varicose veins from developing. Older age or a family history of varicose veins may increase your risk for developing varicose veins. You also may be at higher risk if you have increased pressure in your veins due to being overweight or pregnant.

To learn more about varicose veins or to explore different minimally invasive treatment options for your varicose veins, contact Gilvydis Vein Clinic or stop by during one of our designated free vein evaluation days.