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.

Just got sclerotherapy? Hold off on the ibuprofen for at least 48 hours, Jacksonville vein specialist says.

Sclerotherapy is the primary treatment for spider and varicose veins. But what you do after your sclerotherapy procedure can affect how well and how quickly you heal, says Dr. James St. George of Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center.

Because sclerotherapy is among the most effective, yet least invasive procedures, you will be able to immediately resume most of your daily activities, including driving yourself home from your treatment session. You’re encouraged to take frequent brisk walks and may be instructed to wear graduated compression stockings in the days or weeks following treatment.

Over the 48 hours immediately after sclerotherapy, it’s important that you follow these guidelines:

• Avoid anti-inflammatory medications including aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. Instead, opt for over-the-counter acetaminophen pain relievers like Tylenol;
• Feel free to take a cool shower, but skip long, hot baths, whirlpools and saunas;
• Carefully clean your injection sites with mild soap and lukewarm water;
• Avoid direct exposure to sunlight and stay out of the tanning bed;
• Do not apply a hot compress or any other form of heat to the injected areas;
• If you have any questions or concerns after your procedure, don’t take guesses – call your physician immediately.

Expertly administered sclerotherapy treatments should have you looking great and back to your normal routine in no time. If you’ve got unsightly or uncomfortable spider or varicose veins, call 877-640-VEIN (8346) and schedule a consultation at the St. Johns Vein Center today.

Some medications should be avoided in the days and weeks leading up to a sclerotherapy procedure, Jacksonville varicose vein specialist says.

If you’re planning to undergo a sclerotherapy procedure to treat your varicose veins, there are a few planning and precautionary tips you should follow, says Jacksonville vein specialist Dr. James St. George of the St. Johns Vein Center.

Of utmost importance is not what you should do, but what you should avoid in the weeks prior to your sclerotherapy procedure:

• Do not take Tetracycline or Minocin for at least 10 days before undergoing sclerotherapy. These antibiotics may cause staining of your skin. Talk with your doctor about alternative antibiotics that are safer.
• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatory medications for at least 48 hours before and after your procedure. These medications act as blood thinners and can cause excessive bleeding during sclerotherapy and other procedures. They also can interfere with the action and effectiveness of the sclerosing agent.
• Do not take Prednisone for at least 48 hours before sclerotherapy. It can significantly decrease the sclerosing agent’s effectiveness. Again, be sure to talk with both your vein specialist and your Prednisone prescribing doctor about how to safely discontinue and resume use of Prednisone.

On the day of your procedure:

• Don’t apply moisturizers, sun blocks or any type of lotion to your legs before your procedure. Ask your doctor when it’s safe to resume use.
• Bring a pair of comfortable shorts to wear during your procedure.
• Bring compression hosiery and a loose-fitting pair of slacks to wear after the procedure.
• Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol excessively in the weeks prior to your treatment, as the effects can slow or hinder healing.

Be assured that sclerotherapy is a minimally-invasive, yet highly-effective treatment that allows you to get back to your daily routine quickly and comfortably. To schedule a consultation, call 877-640-VEIN (8346).

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.

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.

Compression hose work by applying gradient pressure to the legs, pressing bloodflow upward toward the heart.

Compression hose treatment, also called stocking therapy, is one of the most conservative forms of treatment offered for spider veins and varicose veins. Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center has helped thousands of patients alleviate pain and correct the unsightly cosmetic issues of varicose and spider veins via correctly worn compression hose.

These prescribed stockings work by applying gradient pressure that’s tight on the foot and ankle, then gets less tight toward the knee. This pressure pushes the blood flow upwards toward the heart, so that it’s not able to flow backwards and pool in the veins. That pooling of blood is what causes the veins to swell above the surface, creating unsightly marks. When worn properly, compression hose reduce swelling in the feet and decrease the chance of blood clots forming in the legs. While they won’t cure your varicose veins, they will help nix the swelling, aching and heaviness that accompany the condition.

If you smoke, are diabetic or have a decreased blood supply to the legs, you should not wear compression hose. Outside of taking some getting used to, compression hose have no other known complications in healthy, non-smoking patients. While there are non-prescription stockings on the market, they generally do not apply the right amount or gradient of pressure and are not as effective as those your doctor will prescribe. Prescription compression hose typically range in cost from $50 to $125 and can last for six months to a year when properly cared for. It’s recommended that patients hand-wash and dry their compression stockings to help keep them in great shape.

If you are seeking treatment for spider or varicose veins, Jacksonville’s Dr. James St. George of St. Johns Vein Center can determine whether compression hose or another form of treatment is best for you. Call 877-640-VEIN (8346) to schedule a consultation today.