Unsure about the idea of vein stripping? Relax – Endovenous ablation is a non-invasive new treatment that replaces stripping of varicose veins.

For many years, vein stripping, the surgical removal of diseased veins, was considered the primary treatment option for getting rid of varicose veins. No more, says Jacksonville vein specialist Dr. James St. George. Today, a far less invasive procedure is the norm.

Endovenous ablation is an advanced treatment that uses heat energy to treat saphenous veins, which are the cause of varicose veins and their symptoms including leg pain, swelling and changes in the color of the lower legs and feet. Heat energy applied to the inside of the vein damages vein tissue, causing scar tissue to form and close off spider or varicose veins. Veins shut down and are no longer able to swell, which means those unsightly blue lumps and the accompanying pain disappear.

While the thought of heat high enough to zap and shut down a vein may seem painful, quite the opposite is true. Patients typically feel a slight pin prick when the local anesthetic is injected and some pressure when the catheter is inserted, but no serious discomfort. There is no time required for recovery and patients return to work immediately. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that works for all ages and generally is followed with non-invasive treatments like sclerotherapy and wearing of graduated pressure stockings.

If you have varicose veins, leg swelling, pain or discoloration, call the St. Johns  Vein Center at 904-402-VEIN (8346) or complete our online email form to schedule a consultation.

Conditions like venous leg ulcers can run in the family. But there are ways to prevent or improve them.

They’re painful and unsightly. But if you understand what causes venous leg ulcers, you can learn how to prevent them.

Venous leg ulcers are cause by poor blood circulation in veins. This is caused by weakened or malfunctioning superficial or deep vein connecting valves. Healthy veins move blood up your leg to the heart. Blood is prevented from flowing backwards by a series of valves in every vein. When these valves malfunction, blood pools in your lower leg leading to swelling and inflammation. In time, this leads to darkening and hardening of the skin in the lower leg and ankle. This is known as chronic venous insufficiency. The slightest skin injury may lead to wound that will not heal known as a venous ulcer.

Top risk factors in developing venous insufficiency and leg ulcers include:

• Family history of leg vein problems
• Age
• Obesity
• Tall stature
• Being immobile for long periods of time
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
• Multiple pregnancies
• Smoking

The good news is that venous leg ulcers can be prevented. Maintain a healthy weight and nix the smoking habit now. Do 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity exercise weekly to keep the blood pumping and keep your weight down. Adopt a low-fat, high-fiber diet that includes whole grains, fruit, vegetables and fish. Also, moisturize your legs regularly – each morning, night and after bathing, particularly if you’ve had a previous venous leg ulcer. Not only does this help keep your skin looking smooth and hydrated, but it also helps boost circulation. And be sure to examine your legs regularly, keeping a lookout for broken skin, blisters, swelling or redness, and treating minor skin conditions as soon as possible.

If you believe you have a venous leg ulcer, call toll-free 877-640-VEIN (8346) and schedule an appointment 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).

Don't wait to get treatment for your varicose veins. Quick action means fewer complications and better healing, St. Johns Vein Center says.

If you’re one of the many Americans who think that varicose veins or spider veins are just a cosmetic issue and don’t necessarily require medical treatment, think again. There are multiples risks in letting vein conditions go untreated. Though surgery once was the go-to solution, today’s varicose and spider vein treatment options include several minimally invasive or non-invasive procedures. So, don’t let fear cause you to take on these risks:

• Skin Ulcers: When left untreated, varicose veins may further worsen blood circulation. This can lead to swelling, itching, skin inflammation, discoloration and even painful ulcerations. These ulcers can be very difficult to heal until the backward blood flow that causes varicose veins is repaired.
• Blood Clots: Untreated varicose veins and venous reflux also can lead to blood clots that form inside a vein just below the skin’s surface, causing skin to redden, swell and often hurt. This is called superficial thrombophlebitis. A blood clot that forms in a deeper vein is called “deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These blood clots may be marked by the same symptoms as a more superficial blood clot, but may also have no symptoms. But if a large DVT clot breaks free, it can travel to the lungs and potentially be fatal. Patients with vein disease need to be particularly careful when undertaking long air or car travel.
• Bleeding: Over time, bulging varicose veins cause the skin over the veins to thin out. This makes the skin more susceptible to injury and can mean significant blood loss if an injury does occur.

Don’t take your health for granted. If you have varicose veins, however mild, schedule a consultation at the St. Johns Vein Clinic. The sooner you act, the quicker and less problematic healing your varicose veins will be.

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.

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!