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.