Fun in the sun need not cause spider and varicose veins if you follow a few preventative tips.

Spring is in full swing and summertime will be here before you know it. Are your legs ready for bikini weather? Spider veins and varicose veins can ruin your beach-bound look. If you have them, a visit to the St. Johns Vein Center can help assure you’ll look great come time to hang out poolside or at the beach.

But getting rid of spider and varicose veins is one thing. Keeping them from coming back is quite another, especially during the summer when the sun’s rays can weaken the skin’s upper layers, sap its moisture and diminish its elasticity. This limits both the ability of both the skin and the veins just below the skin’s surface to move properly. As a result, the veins cannot keep blood flowing as normal. Plus, frequent exposure to high temperatures can cause blood vessels to expand, placing more stress on valves in the veins. The result: blood pools backward with no place to go, creating spider veins and varicose veins.

Luckily, there are ways to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays:

• S – Slather on the sun block. But don’t stop with your legs. Also apply sun block on your face and nose, where thinner skin is prone to developing spider veins.
• U – Under a tree, beach umbrella, gazebo or other shady spot is the best place to enjoy the fresh air while protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
• M – Moisturizers with high SPFs help protect your skin when you’re not wearing full sun block.
• M – Material! Bikinis don’t have much, of course. To protect the spider vein-prone skin on your legs, wear a matching sarong while you’re lounging or walking the beach.
• E – Exercise to keep your blood pumping. Opt for cooling exercises like swimming, surfing and brisk evening walks. The coolness helps keep blood vessels from dilating and pushing against your skin’s surface.
• R – Refresh with a cool drink of water throughout the day. Fluids help keep your blood volume and blood pressure at a healthy level.

If you have spider veins or varicose veins you’d like to clear away before summer’s arrival, contact the St. Johns Vein Center and schedule a consultation with Jacksonville vein specialist Dr. James St. George. Call 877-640-VEIN (8346) today.

Your doctor doesn’t need these to treat your varicose veins. Endovenous Ablation offers beautiful legs without surgery.

For those who suffer from varicose veins, painful vein stripping surgeries have largely given way to endovenous ablation, an advanced treatment that uses heat energy rather than a surgeon’s scalpel. During treatment, a physician carefully applies heat energy to damage the vein tissue. Scar tissue forms and closes off the vein, causing it to be unable to swell. That means unsightly blue lumps and the often accompanying pain disappear. No surgical incision is necessary – Just a small nick in the skin that heals without stitching.

But as with all developing technologies, there are risks and benefits to be weighed:

Risks

• Though very rare in endovenous ablation, any procedure that involves penetration of the skin – even a small nick – carries a risk of infection;
• Placement of the catheter inside a blood vessel can cause damage to the blood vessel, bruising or bleeding at the puncture site;
• On rare occasions, patients experience thermal (heat) damage to nerves. These instances are very temporary and heal quickly;
• A common risk is an inflammation of the vein called thrombophlebitis, which involves pain and redness over the treated area but is easily treated with nonsteroidial anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
• In rare instances, blood clots can form inside the veins, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT.)

Benefits

• No invasive surgery necessary – a major deciding factor for most patients;
• Fewer complications, less pain and quicker recovery times than with previous vein stripping treatments;
• Virtually no scarring;
• Little or no downtime allows patients to return to their normal daytime activities immediately with minimal or no pain.

If you have spider or varicose veins, a vein specialist can you determine the best treatment regime for your unique case and lifestyle. Call 904-402-VEIN (8346) or complete our online email form to schedule a consultation with Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center today.

Hollywood pinup icon Betty Grable was one of the first and most famous to insure her legs.

Hollywood celebrities seem to have the perfect legs – slim, toned and free of blemishes like spider veins and varicose veins. And we’ve all heard stories of stars insuring those gorgeous gams for millions of dollars. But are those stories true? Absolutely! In fact, the practice of covering one’s assets goes all the way back to Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Perhaps the most famous of the celebrities who have purchased high-dollar policies for their body parts was pin-up icon Betty Grable. Her lovely legs helped make her the highest paid Hollywood starlet from 1941-1945, and endeared her to many a World War II soldier serving overseas. Throughout the peak years of her career, her studio insured Grable’s legs for $1 million – an unheard of sum in that day. And when she was invited to leave her mark in the concrete walkway at the famed Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, she left imprints of her legs rather than her hands, as is the tradition.

The practice of insuring one’s legs continues in Tinseltown today. Covered celeb legs include those of actress Jamie Lee Curtis for $2 million, singer Tina Turner for $3.2 million, international soccer player and Calvin Kline skivvies model David Beckham for $70 million, and singer Mariah Carey for a whopping $1 billion (yes – that’s billion with a “B”), after Gillette made her the spokesperson for their popular Venus razor.

While taking out an insurance policy on your own gams may be a bit of a stretch, you can certainly keep them red carpet-worthy by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight; sticking to a nutritious, high-fiber, low-sodium diet; nixing the smoking habit; avoiding extended periods of standing; wearing sensible heels; and slathering on the sun block. Spider veins or varicose veins ruining your glam look? Call 877-640-VEIN (8346) or use our convenient online form to schedule a consultation at Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center today.

Take your love dancing on Valentine’s Day. It’s good for the health of your relationship – and your legs, one Jacksonville varicose vein specialist says.

While varicose vein prevention may not seem the most romantic of notions, we think it has a lovely ring to it. Consider that everything you can do to help prevent or improve varicose veins is something that also helps make your whole body healthy – heart and all, say vein specialists at Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center:

• Getting physical: Exercising together is a great way to strengthen your relationship and your body. Focus on exercises that boost strength in your leg muscles and improve circulation. Power walking, jogging, yoga and – a couple’s favorite – dancing will keep your legs strong, your weight down and your relationship fun.
• Giving the TLC Treatment: At the end of each day, give yourselves, and your legs, a little TLC. Relax on the couch or bed with your feet propped up, heart level or higher and give one another a foot massage. This helps facilitate blood away from the feet and legs. Read a book, watch a romantic comedy or just share some meaningful conversation while you’re at it.
• Set a date: Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to more serious health conditions including blood clots. If you or the one you love have signs of varicose veins or spider veins, schedule a consultation at St. Johns Vein Center in Jacksonville. Call 904-402-VEIN (8346) or use our convenient online “Schedule a Consultation” form.

From all of us here at St. Johns Vein Center, have a happy Valentine’s Day.

Crossing your legs causes varicose veins – Myth or fact? Jacksonville vein specialist has the answer.

Women do it daily, despite a common fear that it can cause an unsightly problem. For decades, it’s been assumed that crossing your legs causes varicose veins. Jacksonville vein specialist Dr. James St. George begs to differ.

“Crossing you legs will not, in itself, cause varicose veins,” says Dr. St. George, founder of the St. Johns Vein Center located in Jacksonville’s Baymeadows area. “But it can exacerbate existing conditions that do contribute to varicose veins, particularly if varicose veins run in your family.”

Varicose veins occur when blood vessel valves weaken and give way, unable to pump blood upward to the heart. With nowhere to go, blood pools backward. This causes vessels and veins to stretch, leak and bulge outward, often protruding above the natural surface of the skin.

The notion that crossing your legs can cause varicose veins is driven by the fact that it does, indeed, place pressure on the venous valves. That pressure alone won’t cause veins to become varicose. But combined with other conditions and lifestyle choices it can, at best, contribute to the development of varicose veins. These include:

• Pregnancy
• Being overweight
• Age
• Family history of varicose veins
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise
• Lack of proper nutrition
• Standing for extended periods of time daily

Visible varicose veins are more prevalent in women than men, so addressing each of these issues is important to achieving and maintaining smooth, strong, healthy legs free of visible venous problems. If you have varicose or spider veins already, contact the St. Johns Vein Center at 904-402-VEIN (8346) to schedule a consultation with Dr. St. George.

Do you know myth from truth when it comes to varicose veins? Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center has answers.

Varicose veins, Jacksonville vein specialist Dr. James St. George says, are a highly misunderstood condition. Several major myths persist. So, the St. Johns Vein Center offers a few clarifications:

Myth:  Varicose Veins are a cosmetic issue only
Truth: The notion that varicose veins are merely a cosmetic issue is perhaps the single biggest myth about the condition – and potentially the most dangerous. Varicose veins are in fact a medical condition that, if left untreated, can lead to more serious ailments including blood clots and ulcers. The good news is that they’re easily treatable via several non-invasive procedures and techniques.

Myth: Men don’t get varicose veins.
Truth: While varicose veins are far more prevalent in women, they do affect men as well. In fact, upwards of 18 percent of men get them. If you’re a male and either or both of your parents have varicose veins, your chances of developing them are significant, and increase with age and certain lifestyle choices. Smoking, obesity and lack of exercise will boost your risk.

Myth: Only the elderly get varicose veins.
Truth: Age is definitely a factor in the development of varicose veins. But heredity plays a major role, too. Many patients, particularly women, can develop varicose veins as early as their late 20s. Many patients report that they observed their first spider veins as a young teenager. Risks increase with pregnancy, unhealthy weight gain and jobs or hobbies that require long periods of standing.

Myth: Closing off varicose veins causes circulatory problems.
Truth: Many varicose vein sufferers are wary of treatments that close off large veins, fearing that the procedure will only cause more serious circulatory problems. The reality is that even the largest varicose veins carry a relatively insignificant amount of blood. The blood is simply re-routed through remaining healthy veins. In fact, treating these veins significantly improves the circulation in the leg.

If you have varicose veins, don’t let the myths keep you from getting the treatment you need. Contact the St. Johns Vein Center at 904-402-VEIN (8346) and schedule a consultation today.

Yes, guys – You can get varicose veins, too. Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center can help.

It ain’t just your grandma’s disease. In fact, contrary to popular belief, varicose veins are not limited to women. Men can get them too, says Jacksonville vein specialist Dr. James St. George.

Consider these statistics:

• 18% of men will suffer from varicose veins;
• If both of your parents had varicose veins, your chances of developing the condition rise to nearly 90%;
• Just one parent with varicose veins will boost a male’s risk to 25%.

Men are notorious for avoiding or delaying medical care. Not a good idea, says Dr. St. George.

“Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to more serious conditions including ulcers and blood clots,” he says.

Recent studies show that men with higher levels of the sex hormone estradiol are more likely to develop varicose veins. Other typical causes are the same among men as they are for women, including obesity, lack of exercise and jobs that require standing for extended periods of time. Besides the tell-tale bulges, symptoms can include ankle swelling, skin discoloration and a “heavy leg” sensation that can cause discomfort and hinder daily activities.

Men can avoid or improve varicose veins by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, adopting a high-fiber diet and avoiding smoking. If you already have varicose veins, call the St. Johns Vein Center at 904-402-VEIN (8346) and schedule a consultation with Dr. St. George.

Time to get going on those New Year’s resolutions. We’ve got a few suggestions for keeping your legs smooth, healthy and free of varicose and spider veins.

Happy 2013, Jacksonville! Hopefully, you’re off to a great start on choosing and keeping your New Year’s resolutions. If you’re like the tens of thousands of other Americans, you’ve got some pretty familiar goals on your list. And chances are these resolutions will help keep your legs healthy and smooth.

Invariably resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier and get clear complexions top annual lists. Keep them and you’ll enjoy a slimmer figure and gorgeous gams, says Dr. James St. George, vein specialist and founder of Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center.

“Varicose veins and spider veins are not always preventable,” Dr. St. George says. “But you can significantly reduce your chances of developing them, or improve the appearance and alleviate discomfort of the ones you already have with a few simple lifestyle and nutritional changes. The New Year is a great time to make that commitment.”

• Lose the extra pounds: Excessive weight puts a real strain on your legs, which weakens the walls of your veins.  As a result, the veins lose their elasticity, widen and cause the valves responsible for preventing the backflow of blood to separate. Blood continues to enter your veins, but with nowhere to go, it pools backward, causing veins to bulge.
• Get moving: Daily exercise that strengthens our legs and veins will help keep the blood pumping. So long as it’s on the move, blood won’t pool backwards and cause those tell-tale bulging veins. Walk, run, dance, swim or climb for increased strength and improved blood circulation.
• Eat up: But skip the fattening foods. Instead, load up on low-sodium, high-fiber choices that will help keep you maintain a healthy weight and avoid constipation, which can contribute to varicose and spider veins. Foods containing vitamins C, E, B6 and B12, or copper, fiber and bioflavonoids help keep the vein walls strong and keep blood pumping efficiently through the body.
• Slather it on: Never leave home without a good dousing of your skin with a high-SPF sunscreen. The sun’s powerful rays can weaken your skin’s upper layers, sapping moisture and diminishing elasticity. As a result, skin and veins just below the skin’s surface are unable to flex and move properly, and thus, unable to keep blood flowing. Plus, frequent exposure to high temperatures can cause blood vessels to expand, increasing stress on vein valves and causing blood to pool.

If you already have varicose veins or spider veins, Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center can help restore your legs’ smooth, healthy look. Call 877-640-VEIN (8346) or use our convenient online form to schedule a consultation.

Take a dip! Swimming is among the top exercises to improve or avoid varicose veins.

Got varicose veins? Jacksonville’s Dr. James St. George, founder of the St. Johns Vein Center, stresses the importance of regular exercise to help ward off the development or improve the appearance of varicose veins. Following are a few of the most effective exercise choices:

• Walking: A brisk walk helps get your blood pumping. Do it often to strengthen your legs and veins and improve circulation.
• Swimming: Swimming leg kicks keep your legs and heart are at the same level, which can help to prevent blood pooling.
• Leg lifts: A variety of leg-lifting floor exercises that place the legs above heart level can encourage pooled blood to circulate. Work up to being able to keep your legs raised for at least one minute.
• Heel and toe lifts: If you are standing at work, raise up on your toes frequently to flex your calves. Walk on your tiptoes, then on your heels for a few minutes. Or, place your toes on a step, allowing your heels to hang off the back, then raise yourself on your tiptoes. Do this 30 times a day to contract and relax your muscles. This helps to squeeze the veins, which in turn helps the veins to more effectively push blood upward to the heart rather than pooling backward.
• Low impact aerobics: Hamstring curls, high knee lifts, heel digs and side-to-side steps help boost blood circulation.
• Dancing: Not only is it a great cardiovascular workout, it’s a great time with friends.

Vary your exercise choices to keep from getting into a boring routine rut. And if you already see varicose veins forming, call the St. Johns Vein Center at 877-640-VEIN (8346) and schedule a consultation with Dr. St. George.

You’re never too old to dance – or to get varicose vein treatment.

Varicose vein treatment often is thought to be a cosmetic procedure favored by middle-aged patients seeking to preserve their youthful looks. But anyone who suffers from varicose veins and the accompanying symptoms, like painful and swollen legs, knows differently.

Your risk of varicose veins and other venous conditions increases as you age. That’s because aging causes wear and tear on the valves in your veins, weakening them and diminishing their ability to effectively regulate blood flow. Eventually those valves fail, causing blood to flow backward and pool in your veins rather than flowing upward to your heart. That pooled blood causes veins to expand and bulge. Over time, they may become elongated, twisted, pouched, and thickened. Pain, swelling and more serious venous conditions can follow.

Many patients simply accept varicose veins and related symptoms as an unavoidable part of aging. Not so, says Jacksonville vein specialist Dr. James St. George of the St. Johns Vein Center.

“There is no need to suffer with painful or swollen legs,” he says. “I treat patients in their late eighties routinely.”

Today’s elderly are increasingly active and health-savvy. They’re exercising more, eating better, socializing and taking better care of themselves overall. They demand cutting-edge medical care that delivers results with fewer risks and less downtime.

Answering that call, Dr. St. George specializes in non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments that don’t require anesthesia or extended recovery times. Treatment options include compression hose, endovenous ablation and sclerotherapy. If you suffer from varicose veins or another venous insufficiency condition – no matter how advanced your age – call the St. Johns Vein Center at 904-402-VEIN (8346) and schedule a consultation.