Brought to you by the Coastal Vein Aesthetic Institute in Jacksonville
Perhaps you see spider veins on your legs, or maybe even some varicose veins. You feel more tired than usual, but figure that’s because nighttime leg cramps and restless leg symptoms are waking you up too often. The same thing happened to your mom, so it must just be an age thing, right? Her ankles swelled like that, too.
Well, maybe not. Instead, it sounds like symptoms of a vascular condition, something to be investigated. “It’s common not to recognize the symptoms of venous insufficiency,” says Dr. Douglas Gesner of the Coastal Vein Aesthetic Institute in Jacksonville. “It’s not uncommon, of course, for there to be a family history of venous insufficiency, so a mother and daughter can have the same symptoms – but this doesn’t mean they’re a natural part of aging.”
Besides family history, risk factors include obesity and inactivity, as well as sitting or standing for long periods of time. “Life is cumulative,” Dr. Gesner says, “and small things add up. Blood travels from your feet upwards and there is weight to that blood. Your leg muscles need to pump it back up to the heart and the blood can ultimately pool and stretch your veins.”
Venous insufficiency is more common in females (40%) but still exists in a percentage of males, about 18-20% of them. This is, in part, because pregnancy is also a risk factor. During pregnancy, especially the third trimester, the uterus pushes down on the pelvic area and there can be a blood outflow obstruction in the legs because of this increased pressure. In some instances, veins can return to normal size, post-pregnancy, but not always.
Treatments
Some people might remember vein stripping, a treatment used in the past that Dr. Gesner says can be as painful as it sounds. “Fortunately,” he adds, “therapy has changed dramatically over the past ten to fifteen years. With vein stripping, a vein was captured and stripped from the leg, requiring prolonged down time, post-treatment. Today, treatment can be outpatient, very minimally invasive, something that can often be handled on a person’s lunch break.”
To treat a varicose vein, for example, Dr. Gesner would make a small puncture. He’d then insert a small catheter into the vein that isn’t functioning properly, one where the blood flow is actually going in the wrong direction. Heat would close off the vein and then the doctor would wrap an Ace bandage around the leg, to be worn for 48 hours. “It doesn’t limit mobility,” he says. “In fact, we encourage walking after the procedure. Then, when you remove the wrap, you go on with life as before – only with healthier veins.”
This procedure, once the cleaning and prepping is complete, takes only about 20 minutes.
Wide Range of Conditions
Dr. Gesner first began treating vascular conditions in a hospital setting, after completing his radiology residency and fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology. After gaining valuable experience at the prestigious University of Virginia School of Medicine, he began focusing on patients with extensive vascular disease beyond early stages.
“In hospitals,” he says, “I saw patients with chronic conditions that were more serious, such as deep vein thrombosis and non-healing wounds. And, while that’s very important to treat, there’s also a need for comprehensive vein care that covers the entire spectrum of conditions.”
He recognized the need for vascular health services in the Jacksonville community that promote understanding of the conditions and overall vascular wellness. After careful planning, the Coastal Vein Aesthetic Institute opened in April 2016. “People are often surprised,” he says, “that their conditions are medically indicative for treatment, meaning often covered by insurance. This is because they see their vein issues, which haven’t yet become medically advanced, as cosmetic fixes. Instead, they can be opportunities to address venous insufficiency in early stages.”
Psychological Benefits
Dr. Gesner also notes the psychological benefits of having spider or varicose veins taken care of. “First,” he says, “if it’s important to you they get fixed, then it’s important. People feel good when they look good. So, veins that make them feel embarrassed about their appearance, making them not want to wear shorts, can be a problem – fortunately, one we can fix.”
Vein issues that are “only cosmetic” can:
- Cause someone to become reluctant to work out in a swimsuit or shorts, thereby keeping him or her from participating in healthy exercise
- Create anxiety and stress
“In short,” Dr. Gesner says, “some issues are small, medically speaking, but psychologically big. This is what led us to develop aesthetic-based services that benefit patients tremendously. Plus, if you come to the clinic, we may find out that the vein issues that seem cosmetic may indicate a deeper reflux issue. If so, we can determine the cause and address that for you.”
Dr. Douglas Gesner has cared for patients in Jacksonville for the past 14 years, with MBB Radiology, performing thousands of non-surgical procedures for venous disease and providing the best of individualized treatment. Find out more at http://www.coastalvein.com or call 904-660-2330.
