Certain vitamin and mineral supplements can help prevent or improve the appearance of spider and varicose veins, Jacksonville's St. Johns Vein Center says.

As with most any medical condition, nutrition can assist your body in healing or even avoiding varicose veins, Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center says.

“A basic healthy diet, plus certain vitamin and mineral supplements can help strengthen the walls of your veins,” says Dr. James St. George. “And vein wall strength is a major factor in whether and to what extent varicose veins form.”

Varicose and spider veins form when weak or damaged blood vein valves fail, causing blood that should be pumping upwards to the heart to fall backwards into the lower leg. Blood pools inside the veins, causing them to stretch, bulge and show through the skin’s surface.

To help strengthen your vein walls and keep blood pumping effectively, adopt a healthy diet rich in vitamins C, E, B6 and B12, plus copper, fiber and bioflavonoids.

Vitamin C helps the body manufacture connective tissues collagen and elastin, both of which the body uses to repair and maintain veins, keeping them strong and flexible. Vitamin E helps prevent blood clots by keeping platelets from sticking together and adhering to the sides of blood vessel walls. Vitamins B6 and B12 also help clear the blood of homocysteine, which has been linked to recurring blood clots.

Copper, a trace mineral found in shellfish, lean red meat, whole grains, nuts and seeds, is essential in building and repairing endothelial cells, the smooth protective cells that line the insides of blood vessels. It’s used in the body to knit together collagen and elastin and appears to help protect blood vessels against microscopic tears and rough spots that can lead to blood clots and plaque-filled veins. Bioflavonoids are found in deep-colored berries like blueberries, blackberries and cherries and may help keep capillaries from breaking down and forming spider veins.

A fiber-rich diet will help you avoid constipation, which can create pressure in your abdomen and block the flow of blood back to your legs, weakening vein walls over time. Cutting out salt helps, too. Too much salt will cause your legs to swell, placing added stress on your veins.

If you have spider veins or varicose veins, Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center can help. Call 904-402-VEIN (8346) or complete our online form to schedule a consultation.

You wouldn’t take your car to body repair shop if it needed engine work, would you? So why visit a general surgeon for something as specialized as vein treatment? Unfortunately, if you’re unsure what to look for in a vein specialist, Jacksonville’s Dr. James St. George says, you just might end up with a similar scenario.

Founder of the St. Johns Vein Center, Dr. St. George is a highly regarded vascular specialist treating blue, spider and varicose veins. Jacksonville patients have depended upon him for relief from the pain, itching and cosmetic woes of venous conditions. No matter where you are, he offers a few tips for choosing a qualified vein specialist. Before agreeing to treatment, ask your prospective provider these three questions:

1. What are your qualifications? Specifically, look for a physician who has completed a fellowship in a specialty with advanced training in venous disorders as recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The certified specialists who generally meet this requirement are interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons. Certification by the American Board of Phlebology indicates additional commitment to specialization in venous disease.
2. Who will perform procedures? The answer from a physician should be “me.” If you find that you’ll actually be treated by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or an ultrasound technologist, then find another practice.
3. Do you have a dedicated sonographer and state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment? Treatment of your veins should never occur without first evaluating your leg veins with ultrasound. Many practices pay a part-time or freelance sonographer on an as-needed basis using older or portable equipment. For the most effective and thorough treatment, choose a practice with a dedicated sonographer who specializes in evaluating venous insufficiency or varicose veins.

Also make sure that the varicose vein specialist or firm you choose uses the latest technology and offers comprehensive care of not just the main abnormal vein, but smaller, peripheral veins as well.

If you’re in the Northeast Florida area, St. Johns Vein Center is your best bet for effective treatment of blue, spider and varicose veins. Call 877-640-VEIN (8346) to schedule a consultation.

Pregnant? You'll need to wait until three to four months after giving birth to undergo sclerotherapy treatment for spider and varicose veins, Jacksonville's St. Johns Vein Center recommends.

In Europe, sclerotherapy has been routinely used for more than 50 years by the medical specialty known as Phlebology. However, most American physicians do not understand the technique. Eighty-two percent of gynecologists surveyed did not have enough knowledge to advise patients who requested information on the treatment of varicose and spider veins. A survey has shown that American women are more concerned with their spider veins than with any other cosmetic problem.

Each of the three different types of sclerotherapy (ultrasound, liquid or foam) involves the injection of a sclerosing (or hardening) medication into the abnormal veins. In a typical sclerotherapy session, you’ll lie down on an examination table while the skin over your spider veins or varicose veins is cleansed with an antiseptic solution. Your doctor then will stretch hold your skin taught and begin injecting the solution into affected veins with very tiny (30g) needles. Roughly one injection is administered for every inch of spider or varicose vein, so your session might involve as few as five or as many as 40 injections per treatment, depending upon the severity of your vein condition.

Pain is minimal. A full treatment generally lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and there is little or no downtime for recovery. Your doctor may instruct you to wear compression hose for a week following treatment, to help keep the veins compressed and the blood from pooling back into your veins. And you’ll be encouraged to walk regularly. In addition to the cosmetic benefits of sclerotherapy, many patients experience improved leg health.

However, as Dr. St. George says, sclerotherapy isn’t for everyone. Pregnant women in particular should not consider undergoing sclerotherapy treatments until 3-4 months after they’ve given birth, as most pregnancy-related spider and varicose veins will disappear on their own with time. Also, if you plan to breastfeed, be aware that it’s unknown how sclerosing solutions affect breast milk. Patients who have had blood clots in the past may or may not be suitable candidates for sclerotherapy, depending upon the reason for the clot and the overall health of the area needing treatment.

If you’re experiencing unsightly or uncomfortable spider or varicose veins, Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center can help. Call toll free 877-640-VEIN (8346) or schedule a consultation online.

Power walking is among the activities that can help you ward off varicose veins.

What’s the single biggest myth about varicose veins? Jacksonville vein specialist Dr. James St. George of the St. Johns Vein Center says this misconception is at the top of the list:

“Almost invariably, patients and many physicians believe that varicose veins are a cosmetic problem, when in fact, it is a treatable medical condition.

The root cause of varicose veins is weakened or damaged vein valves.   Our veins have one-way valves that assist in keeping the blood moving only upward toward our heart. When these valves are compromised due to, genetics, pregnancy, age and jobs that require us to sit or stand for long periods, they become weakened, which allows the blood to pool in our legs and creates varicose veins.  While varicose veins are not always 100% preventable there are steps we can take that will delay and lesson the symptoms.

The primary goal is to reduce the pressure on inside your veins and to strengthen your vein walls. Regular cardiovascular exercise like power walking improves muscle tone. When we walk our calf muscles contribute significantly in returning the blood in our legs back up to our heart.  If standing or sitting for long periods are unavoidable, invest in a quality pair of compression stockings. Wearing compression stocking while pregnant is also a good preventative measure.  Elevating your legs above the level of your heart when relaxing and controlling your weight are also recommended.

Endovenous ablation uses radiofrequency or laser energy to treat varicose veins.

If you have spider veins, varicose veins, swelling, leg pain or changes in the color of your lower legs and feet, Jacksonville’s Dr. James St. George may recommend a treatment called endovenous ablation. This advanced treatment uses heat energy to damage vein tissue, causing scar tissue to form and close the vein. With the vein shut down and no longer able to swell, the ugly blue lumps on your skin – and the pain that comes with them – disappear.

The heat sources used in endovenous ablation come from either radiofrequency or laser energy. Radiofrequency ablation involves using an ultrasound-guided radiofrequency catheter inserted into the abnormal vein. Radio energy heats up the vein’s interior, causing it to scar and close. Endovenous laser treatment is very similar. An optical fiber inserted into the vein and infrared laser light shines into the vein’s interior, causing the vein to contract as the fiber is slowly withdrawn. The procedure is performed in the office on patients of all ages.

Endovenous ablation is minimally invasive and has replaced vein stripping, which involved the surgical removal of veins. Both radiofrequency and laser ablation treatments typically are followed with other non-invasive treatments like sclerotherapy.

Find out if endovenous ablation is the best option for treating your leg pain or varicose veins. Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center specializes in treatment of varicose veins, spider veins and related venous insufficiency conditions. Call 904-402-VEIN (8346) or complete our online consultation scheduling form.

Excercising throughout your pregnancy is one way to help prevent varicose veins and spider veins.

Pregnancy is a joyous time for expectant mothers. But it’s also a challenging time physically and emotionally. Even while celebrating the coming birth of a child, women also bemoan their pregnancies’ long term affects on their bodies, including weight gain, stretch marks, varicose veins and spider veins.

Jacksonville varicose vein specialist James St. George explains why vein conditions are linked with pregnancies and what you can do to minimize or manage them.

“The veins’ job is to pump blood from your extremities back to your heart,” Dr. St. George explains. “But pregnancy makes that job tougher in several ways.”

First, pregnancy boosts the amount of blood that your body creates, which adds to the burden on your veins to begin with. Plus, your growing uterus places pressure on your inferior vena cava, the large vein on the right side of your body, in turn creating even more pressure in your leg veins. Meanwhile, a boost in your progesterone levels causes the walls of your blood vessels to relax.

This overtaxing of your leg veins manifests in varicose and spider veins, caused by a pooling of blood in the veins. They’re marked by bulging, blue or purple lines showing through the surface of the skin and can be painful or itchy. In pregnant women, varicose veins can appear in the legs and the labia. They’re increasingly common in women who have had multiple pregnancies, carry twins or higher multiples, are overweight or stand for long periods of time.

Fortunately, varicose veins often improve within 3-4 months after delivery. We have a variety of treatment options if your vein condition persists. To help prevent or minimize them throughout your pregnancy, the St. Johns Vein Center offers these tips:

• Exercise daily throughout your pregnancy. Don’t overdo it, of course. Just  a quick, brisk walk around the block can help keep your blood pumping;
• Elevate your feet and legs while resting;
• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and take quick walking or stretching breaks as often as possible;
• Exercise and choose a diet that helps keep your weight within the recommended range for your stage of pregnancy;
• Sleep laying on your left side to avoid increased pressure on your inferior vena cava;
• Wear graduated compression stockings during the day; This is especially important if you already have vein problems or a family history of vein problems.

If you’re looking to get rid of varicose veins lingering from a prior pregnancy, visit the St. Johns Vein Center. Call 877-640-VEIN (8346) or schedule a consultation online.

Attention, spring breakers - Sun exposure is a known cause of spider veins, Jacksonville's St. Johns Vein Center says.

March marks the beginning of the Spring Break season, when students ditch their studies for a week and head to the beach, the lake or the pool for some sun-soaked R-and-R. But beware. That sun-kissed look that many crave can also lead to an unsightly side effect: spider veins. Jacksonville’s Dr. James St. George offers tips for protecting your skin from multiple negative effects of sun exposure.

We all know that the skin’s exposure to harmful UV rays is linked to skin cancer, premature aging and other health maladies. But many are unaware that too much sunshine can also cause spider veins to develop, particularly on the face and legs.

The sun’s rays weaken the skin’s upper layers, sapping its moisture and diminishing its elasticity. If the skin is unable to move and bend in multiple directions, veins at the skin’s surface also cannot move. This means the veins are unable to keep the blood flowing as normal. When blood is unable to flow, it simply pools, creating spider veins.

To protect your skin from spider veins and other sun-induced maladies, apply sun-blocking moisturizers with high SPFs, focusing on the nose, face and legs. Reapply often if you swim or sweat. Wear wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing. And rather than bake in the sun, find a shady spot from which to enjoy the scenes of spring break and the coming summer.

If you’re already seeing signs of spider veins, Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center can help. We specialize in the treatment of spider veins, varicose veins, blue veins and other related venous conditions. Call 877-640-VEIN (8346) or visit our website to schedule a consultation.

Don't let 'em fool you. Celebrities get varicose veins, too. Jacksonville's St. John Vein Center offers tips on keeping your legs red carpet-ready.

It was the thigh shot seen ’round the world. Photos of Angelina Jolie’s somewhat awkward pose onstage and on the red carpet at Sunday night’s Academy Awards broadcast quickly went viral. Yet, they were just another of the leggy snapshots that the movie, music, and television awards seasons produce on a constant basis.

While the Regular Janes of the world long for legs that appear lean, smooth and flawless, it’s important to note that every single one of us – even those whose photos grace the magazine covers – are prone to conditions like spider veins and varicose veins, according to Jacksonville’s Dr. James St. George. In fact, some celebrity habits may even contribute to these unsightly conditions.

“Those impossibly high heels that we see celebrities wear not just on the red carpet, but to the coffee shop and grocery store, are an accomplice to those varicose veins,” he says.

Stars whose snapshots have shown evidence of spider and varicose veins include Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristen Davis of Sex and the City fame, singer Britney Spears and former supermodel Janice Dickinson. In an industry where one’s looks are paramount to success, you can bet that these women and their staff are quickly on top of such issues. So how do they seemingly instantly take charge?

In their off-screen time, top celebrities are focused on taking care of their figures by working out. Aerobic and strength training exercises are a must for both maintaining a lean figure and keeping their blood pumping for a healthy, rosy look. Good circulation helps keep the blood moving upward through the body rather than pooling backwards into the veins and causing the tell-tale blue-tinged vein swelling.

Celebrities and their handlers also stay up to the minute on all the latest techniques and technologies that address cosmetic issues like spider and varicose veins.

If you’re beginning to notice spider veins or varicose veins, Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center can give you the celebrity treatment. Led by Dr. St. George, we specialize in both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for spider veins, varicose veins, blue veins, pelvic and labial varicose veins, leg pain, leg swelling, and restless leg syndrome. To help keep your legs red carpet-ready, call 877-640-VEIN (8346) or use our convenient online email form to schedule a consultation today.

The subject of varicose veins doesn’t typically come up during while whispering sweet nothings in your lover’s ear. No matter. We still think Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to show your legs some love by adopting a lifestyle that will help prevent varicose veins. Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center offers up a few helpful, if not necessarily romantic, tips:

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  Show your legs some love with tips from St. Johns Vein Clinic.

  Get physical: Regular exercise focusing on strengthening your leg muscles and improving circulation. Power walking, jogging, yoga and dancing are great choices that will keep your legs strong and manage your weight, taking pressure off your legs, knees and feet.

• Go easy: Give your legs a break from the stilettos. They look great and are fine for an occasional night on the town. But for your day-to-day running, opt for stylish flats or kitten heels instead. High heels keep your calf muscles from effectively pumping blood out of the leg. Plus, the lower heels will help keep those calves curvy and strong.
• Give them some TLC: If you stand all day at work, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes and take advantage of your downtime. If possible, elevate your legs while you’re resting. And if you spend most of the day sitting at a desk, use those breaks to move around a bit.
• Set a date: If you have signs of varicose veins or spider veins, set an appointment at St. Johns Vein Center in Jacksonville. Varicose veins, spider veins and other venous insufficiency conditions are our specialty. Call 904-402-VEIN (8346) or use our online “Schedule a Consultation” form.

And have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Most insurance companies will cover medically necessary varicose vein treatment. Jacksonville's St. Johns Vein Center offers other payment options as well.

Among the most common questions about varicose vein treatment Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center hears daily is whether the treatment will be covered by insurance. As the economy slowly recovers and patients seek both cosmetic and medical treatment for their varicose veins, spider veins and pelvic or labial veins, insurance and payment options are a top topic in talks with doctors.

The answer depends on several factors. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of the initial consultation and testing. However, further coverage depends on whether your doctor and insurance company deem your treatment medically necessary.

Varicose veins can be uncomfortable and unattractive. If dealt with quickly, they pose no medical threat. However, gone untreated, varicose and spider veins can lead to a more serious condition called venous insufficiency. This is a severe clogging of the blood in the veins that prevents it from returning to the heart. Medical consequences include deep-vein thrombosis (better known as a blood clot). If a clot travels from the leg veins to the lungs, it can block a patient’s lungs and heart from functioning. Severe bleeding infections and sores or skin ulcers also can develop. Most insurance companies cover treatment in such cases.

On the other hand, treatment of spider veins and less severe cases of varicose veins often are considered cosmetic treatments not covered by most health insurance plans. To help patients cover the costs of medically necessary varicose vein treatment, Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center participates with several major medical insurance companies including:

• United
• Aetna
• Medicare
• Tri-care
• Cigna

Although we do not participate with most HMO plans, the majority of managed health care plans do offer out-of-network benefits and our staff can handle claims filling for you.

Don’t have insurance? St. Johns Vein Center also accepts payment via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club International and Care Credit. To find out more about payment options and schedule your initial consultation for varicose vein treatment, call 904-402-VEIN (8346).