Q: I am 64 years old and have only recently started developing varicose veins in my legs. I'm using compression stockings, but they're uncomfortable during the warm months. What other options do I have to deal with them? Aside from the increased risk of a blood clot, do they pose any serious health risks? Will the varicose veins start to look worse as I get older?
A: Varicose veins can be very unpleasant, particularly from a cosmetic point of view. These enlarged and tortuous veins usually show up in the legs; they are subject to high pressure when you’re upright and therefore likely to be uncomfortable and perhaps even painful while you're standing or walking. Varicose veins can also sometimes itch, and scratching them can cause ulcers. Ulcers that infect your veins can lead to blood clots — this is a condition known as superficial thrombophlebitis and is usually isolated to superficial veins. In rare cases, these blood clots can extend into deep veins, becoming a more serious problem. Still, varicose veins very rarely bring on serious complications. More than anything else, they are considered to be a cosmetic problem, which, unfortunately, can worsen as you grow older.
One of the options you might wish to consider to reduce the appearance of your varicose veins is surgical intervention. Vein stripping is one particular surgical treatment that can help. There are also newer, less-invasive treatments such as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and endovenous laser treatment, each of which has its own pros and cons. Nonsurgical treatment options include elastic stockings, elevating the legs, and exercise.
Showing posts with label diabetic ulcers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diabetic ulcers. Show all posts
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
To Bandage or Not to Bandage
Q: What is the best way to treat diabetic ulcers on the legs? I have new ones every day and it's hard to decide if they should be bandaged or not. They are always seeping. Please send some advice.
A: Leg ulcers can indeed be difficult and frustrating to treat, and they usually take a long time to heal. Treatment recommendations have changed over the years; it's confusing to decide what to do. Unfortunately, the treatment of leg ulcers is not simple. Specific therapy depends on the cause, size and depth, location and duration of the ulcer. That's why there is not just one answer to the question. What Dr. Benjamin Weaver suggests is to work with your doctor to develop the best treatment plan for your specific situation.
A: Leg ulcers can indeed be difficult and frustrating to treat, and they usually take a long time to heal. Treatment recommendations have changed over the years; it's confusing to decide what to do. Unfortunately, the treatment of leg ulcers is not simple. Specific therapy depends on the cause, size and depth, location and duration of the ulcer. That's why there is not just one answer to the question. What Dr. Benjamin Weaver suggests is to work with your doctor to develop the best treatment plan for your specific situation.
Friday, December 3, 2010
"Knocking Socks Off" Saves Limbs and Lives, New Diabetes Study Shows
During Diabetes Awareness Month, the American Podiatric Medical Association encourages patients to see a podiatrist for regular foot examinations.
Bethesda, MD (Vocus) November 17, 2010
The number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes continues to rise toward record levels, with an estimated one in three adults predicted to have the disease by the year 2050 according to the Centers for Disease Control. Because many serious complications from diabetes present in the lower limbs, proper foot care for those with the disease is a vital step to keeping the disease in check. In fact, a new study on foot care for people with diabetes conducted by Thomson Reuters confirms that care by a podiatrist can drastically reduce the incidence of diabetes-related hospitalizations and amputations.
"During November's Diabetes Awareness Month, it's important to realize that simple lifestyle changes can go a long way toward staying healthy with diabetes. These include eating right, being active, monitoring blood glucose, and checking your feet daily," said Dr. Kathleen Stone, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). "Diabetic foot complications are the leading cause of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputation in the U.S. Remembering to 'knock your socks off' at every doctor's visit will help to catch any potential lower limb complications early."
According to preliminary results from the Thomson Reuters study, those with diabetes who received care from a podiatrist had a nearly 29 percent lower risk of lower limb amputation, and 24 percent lower risk of hospitalization, than those who did not. APMA's "Knock Your Socks Off" campaign, running during Diabetes Awareness Month, aims to encourage everyone with diabetes and those at risk for the disease to remove their shoes and socks and inspect their feet and visit a podiatrist for a foot exam.
Feet should be checked regularly for signs and symptoms of diabetes to help prevent serious complications. Symptoms in the feet such as redness, tingling and cuts that are not healing can lead to diabetic ulcers and even possible amputation without prompt medical care.
"The Thomson Reuters study results show that just one visit to a podiatrist can drastically reduce the chance of a tragic diabetes-related amputation. There is now no question that a podiatrist must be a part of everyone's diabetes management team," Dr. Stone said. The APMA-sponsored study was conducted using Thomson Reuters' MarketScan Research Databases, which house fully integrated, de-identified health-care claims data extensively used by researchers to understand health economics and outcomes. Studies based on MarketScan data have been published in more than 130 peer-reviewed articles in the past five years.
Founded in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is the nation's leading and recognized professional organization for doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs). DPMs are podiatric physicians and surgeons, also known as podiatrists, qualified by their education, training and experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and structures of the leg. The medical education and training of a DPM includes four years of undergraduate education, four years of graduate education at an accredited podiatric medical college and two or three years of hospital residency training. APMA has 53 state component locations across the United States and its territories, with a membership of close to 12,000 podiatrists. All practicing APMA members are licensed by the state in which they practice podiatric medicine.
Bethesda, MD (Vocus) November 17, 2010
The number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes continues to rise toward record levels, with an estimated one in three adults predicted to have the disease by the year 2050 according to the Centers for Disease Control. Because many serious complications from diabetes present in the lower limbs, proper foot care for those with the disease is a vital step to keeping the disease in check. In fact, a new study on foot care for people with diabetes conducted by Thomson Reuters confirms that care by a podiatrist can drastically reduce the incidence of diabetes-related hospitalizations and amputations.
"During November's Diabetes Awareness Month, it's important to realize that simple lifestyle changes can go a long way toward staying healthy with diabetes. These include eating right, being active, monitoring blood glucose, and checking your feet daily," said Dr. Kathleen Stone, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). "Diabetic foot complications are the leading cause of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputation in the U.S. Remembering to 'knock your socks off' at every doctor's visit will help to catch any potential lower limb complications early."
According to preliminary results from the Thomson Reuters study, those with diabetes who received care from a podiatrist had a nearly 29 percent lower risk of lower limb amputation, and 24 percent lower risk of hospitalization, than those who did not. APMA's "Knock Your Socks Off" campaign, running during Diabetes Awareness Month, aims to encourage everyone with diabetes and those at risk for the disease to remove their shoes and socks and inspect their feet and visit a podiatrist for a foot exam.
Feet should be checked regularly for signs and symptoms of diabetes to help prevent serious complications. Symptoms in the feet such as redness, tingling and cuts that are not healing can lead to diabetic ulcers and even possible amputation without prompt medical care.
"The Thomson Reuters study results show that just one visit to a podiatrist can drastically reduce the chance of a tragic diabetes-related amputation. There is now no question that a podiatrist must be a part of everyone's diabetes management team," Dr. Stone said. The APMA-sponsored study was conducted using Thomson Reuters' MarketScan Research Databases, which house fully integrated, de-identified health-care claims data extensively used by researchers to understand health economics and outcomes. Studies based on MarketScan data have been published in more than 130 peer-reviewed articles in the past five years.
Founded in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is the nation's leading and recognized professional organization for doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs). DPMs are podiatric physicians and surgeons, also known as podiatrists, qualified by their education, training and experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and structures of the leg. The medical education and training of a DPM includes four years of undergraduate education, four years of graduate education at an accredited podiatric medical college and two or three years of hospital residency training. APMA has 53 state component locations across the United States and its territories, with a membership of close to 12,000 podiatrists. All practicing APMA members are licensed by the state in which they practice podiatric medicine.
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