Whether you see it walking through the mall or when you look down at your own legs, all of us have seen the Red Leg at one time or another.

What is the Red Leg?

The term for this condition is hemosiderin staining and inflammation (venous eczema). Hemosiderin staining is defined as dark purple or rusty discoloration of the lower legs caused by chronic venous disease. Venous eczema is the result of chronic irritation of the layers of the skin. The pressure from valve failure forces red blood cells out of capillaries. This causes the destruction of red blood cells and the release of iron. The combined result is a Red Leg.

Is the Red Leg permanent?

In most cases, unfortunately – yes. However, some of the eczema can resolve which can reduce the angry appearance of the leg and to some degree the thickening of the skin. The goal of treatment is to stop the progression of damage to the affected skin and decrease the frequency of further flare-ups or the formation of ulcers (open sores) or other complications.

Associated symptoms: Itching, burning, swelling, induration (thick/hard skin), heaviness, swelling, aching, pain, tiredness, fatigue. Some patients have all of these symptoms, while others have none other than skin discoloration.

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During the month of February, Americans see the human heart as a symbol of love. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States, but now there is a message of hope that many people will be glad to hear.

A recent study reports that patients with varicose veins are better at making arterial collaterals. These collaterals are often referred to as “natural bypasses” and are capable of delivering an adequate amount of blood to the hearts muscles which can prevent a heart attack.

At VasCare, our focus is on venous insufficiency and varicose veins. People hate varicose veins because they are unattractive and can cause many symptoms such as aching, pain, heaviness, tiredness, fatigue, itching, burning, leg cramps, swelling, and restless legs . Don’t worry, fixing your bad veins won’t limit your body’s creation of arterial collaterals – it’ll just make your legs look and feel better.

There are many treatment options for those suffering from spider and varicose veins. Find the best treatment for you or learn more about VasCare in our FAQ.

Love Your Legs!!

Post by Dr. Charles J. Gutierrez

As 2014 winds to a close, the staff at VasCare Vein Clinics would like to wish everyone a happy holidays and a prosperous New Year.

New Year’s resolutions often get a bad rap – and usually for good measure – but despite the negative connotations that come from oft-abandoned promises, the New Year is a great time to look at your personal health and commit to change.

While that resolution to be less stressed could be thrown out the window by February, deciding to embrace vein health has long term benefits. Varicose veins is a serious medical condition and if you’re exhibiting one of the following signs, you could be suffering from venous disease:

• Heavy or tired legs,
• achy legs,
• skin irritation,
• itching or burning,
• swelling of the legs, ankles, and/or feet,
• pain and discomfort, or
• leg cramps/restless legs.

These symptoms usually indicate an underlying disorder in the larger veins of the legs. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, consider setting an appointment in our Beaumont or Corpus Christi centers. Treatment for varicose veins is considered medically necessary and could be covered by your insurance.

Get Treatment for Varicose Veins

So this year, follow through with your New Year’s resolution and do something about those spider or varicose veins.

The first step is to find out if you’re at risk. Check our previous blog post to find out the most common causes of spider veins and how to prevent them.

To schedule an appointment, contact VasCare Vein Center in Beaumont and Corpus Christi.

Top 5 Jobs That Require Prolonged Standing or Sitting

When it comes to what causes varicose veins, there are many factors, including genetics, gender, and obesity. But one of the biggest risk factors for varicose veins is prolonged standing or sitting. Certain occupations that require people to sit or stand a lot can be bad for the health of your veins.

Here’s our list of top 5 occupations with so much standing or sitting that the jobs themselves can be one of the causes of varicose veins.

1. Office Workers

In general, office workers sit uninterrupted at their desks for much of the day. In addition to being an unhealthy way to work (humans weren’t designed to sit all day), a sedentary desk job can be a contributing cause of varicose veins.

When you frequently sit for extended periods, the muscles in your legs that normally help pump blood aren’t used very much. As a result, blood could flow backwards in leg veins and pool, causing varicose veins.

1. Nurses

In terms of jobs that require long periods of standing, nursing is right near the top. Whether it’s taking vitals, interviewing patients, checking up on patients, or assisting doctors during surgery, nurses spend the majority of the day on their feet. No wonder, then, that finding the right nursing shoe is so important.

Many of the nurses at VasCare wear compression stockings to help prevent causes of varicose veins.

1. Factory Workers

If you’ve ever worked in a factory or an assembly line, then you know how much time these workers spend on their feet every day. If you haven’t, let’s just say it’s a lot. And hour after hour on your feet, sometimes in one place, can be one of the bigger causes of varicose veins.

Of course, as we mentioned before, there are problems associated with prolonged sitting as well.

1. Cashiers

When we think about jobs that require a lot of standing in one place for hours on end, we immediately think about cashiers and about how the required standing of the profession can be one of the causes of varicose veins.

From retail cashiers at big-box stores to cashiers at grocery stores, working the register for long periods of time can take its toll on your legs and veins. To help fight vein disease, check out these exercises you can do while ringing up customers.

1. Hairstylists

Ever seen a hairstylist sitting while they work? Neither have we. Even though you get to sit in a comfy chair while you get your hair cut, they don’t. Instead, they typically stand on a hard floor all day, which can be what causes varicose veins and a host of other health issues.

Do you have a job that requires standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time? Is there something you do, like wear compression stockings or perform exercises, that help you cope? Let us know in the comments.

Getting rid of spider veins can seem like a tricky thing for runners. If you are a runner, you know that pounding the pavement is great exercise and yields a host of health benefits. You may also have heard a myth that running can be what causes spider veins and varicose veins in your otherwise-healthy feet, ankles, and legs. But that’s simply not true.

Not only does running not cause spider veins and varicose veins, it helps prevent them. If you should happen to develop spider veins or varicose veins and are a runner, we’ve got some tips for what to do.

But first, some helpful information on what causes spider veins and varicose veins.

What Are Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?

Spider veins (telangiectasis) represent the most frequent feature of venous disease and are the initial and most mild indicator of venous reflux.

• Venous reflux is a disorder in which tiny valves in veins that help control the flow of blood back to the heart become damaged (valvular incompetence). As a result, blood can flow backwards and pool in the veins.
• Spider veins often resemble the mesh pattern of a web, which is how they get their name. They can also look like the branches of a tree or appear as thin, separate lines. Spider veins are less than one millimeter in diameter.
• It’s important to know that spider veins are sometimes symptomatic of a more serious condition in the larger veins.

Symptoms of spider veins

Varicose veins are more dilated than spider veins and often appear as blue or purple twisted ropes that sometimes bulge on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are equal to or greater than three millimeters in diameter.

• Varicose veins are a more serious condition than spider veins and indicate a progression of venous disease.
• With varicose veins, venous reflux is most likely caused by abnormalities in the vein wall, though it can be attributed to valvular incompetence.

Symptoms of varicose veins

What Causes Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?

Running does not cause spider veins or varicose veins. However, the following are contributing factors:

• Genetics
• Obesity or weight gain
• Pregnancy
• Gender (women are higher statistical risks)
• Injury or surgery (especially near the pelvis)
• Blood clot
• Prolonged standing or sitting

Running With Spider Veins and Varicose Veins

Since some of the symptoms of spider veins and varicose veins include swelling, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, and fatigue, running with spider veins or varicose veins can be less enjoyable or even painful.

If you’re just noticing spider veins or varicose veins and want to keep running, here’s a few tips:

• Stop running if symptoms worsen. Keep a close eye on your spider veins or varicose veins. If symptoms become more acute, you should stop running. Transition instead to walking, swimming, and other low-impact exercise.
• Avoid hard pavement. High-impact activities like running can aggravate swelling. Make sure to run on a softer surface, such as grass, a dirt trail, or an athletic track.
• Wear compression stockings. Compression stockings, while not entirely comfortable for running, will help increase blood flow and decrease fatigue.

Getting Rid of Spider Veins and Varicose Veins

Getting rid of spider veins and varicose veins is a smart decision, and not just for cosmetic reasons. Venous disease can develop into severe conditions that require immediate medical attention, including swelling legs, skin discoloration, and venous ulcers.

For more information, make sure to contact experienced physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease.