6 The Queens Courier • WELLNES • march 20, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com Leg pain and varicose veins can seem like a normal part of aging Leg pain and varicose veins can seem like a normal part of aging, and are often ignored or considered merely a cosmetic issue. Though aging tends to slow our pace, we shouldn’t assume that leg discomfort and unsightly veins are unavoidable or discount the possibility that they may be symptomatic of more serious medical conditions – conditions that often negatively impact quality of life. Leg pain and cramping while walking that goes away with rest could signal peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is often underdiagnosed. PAD occurs when a build-up of cholesterol causes plaque to clog the arteries, decreasing blood flow to the extremities. PAD affects up to 12 million people in the US, especially those over age 70. Individuals over 50 with a history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, or a family history of vascular disease, heart attack or stroke, are also considered high risk as well as dialysis patients and those of African American or Hispanic descent. PAD can result in slow-healing or non-healing wounds and even lead to amputation if left untreated. Early detection is the key to successful treatment outcomes! Saqib Chaudhry, MD, FACS, FCCP, RPVI, has been a leader in caring for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and vein and vascular conditions for more than three decades. “PAD falls into two broad categories,” Dr. Chaudhry says. “One is a lifestyle issue, involving significant discomfort during exercise and walking. Patients experience pain similar to chest pain felt in coronary artery disease — in fact, it is the same disease process. The second category involves blockages in the legs which have reached a critical stage, resulting in non-healing ulcers and even gangrene.” Dr. Chaudhry can diagnose PAD and perform most treatments in his office so his patients can return to their regular routine quickly. The team offers endovascular treatment including angiograms, angioplasty and stenting as well as open surgical bypass procedures. Dr. Chaudhry refers to varicose veins as “the most common vascular abnormality in the human race.” Varicose veins are abnormally dilated veins that may protrude on the skin surface while spider veins are smaller versions of varicose veins, found anywhere along the leg including the ankles and around the knees. Varicose veins are often associated with symptoms such as pain, aching, heaviness, fatigue, swelling, burning and itching; these symptoms may worsen at night and be less noticeable first thing in the morning. “The implication of the symptoms is not just aesthetic; as they progress they also impact lifestyle,“ he says. “Large varicose veins can lead to blood clots, phlebitis and ulcers.” Although many patients find relief by wearing prescription strength compression stockings, this treatment typically has low compliance rates. Dr. Chaudhry and the American Access Care team offer more permanent treatment options – they are experts in clinically proven, non-surgical procedures for varicose veins including endovenous laser therapy, microphlebectomy and sclerotherapy. Embolization and sclerotherapy for vascular malformations are also available. “Whereas we once practiced surgical stripping, today nearly 95 percent of the time we can use a minimally invasive procedure — such as laser ablation or laser closure of a superficial vein with bad valvular reflux — in the office,” Dr. Chaudhry says. The procedures are performed on an outpatient basis in fully equipped, centers, with warm, caring, knowledgeable staff and one on one nursing care with results that can be life-changing. Patients experience little to no pain, and are back to their normal lifestyle quickly – some are back to work as quickly as the next day. If you’re at risk, seek expert care. Going to a qualified professional helps to ensure that each patient gets the ex¬pert care that he or she expects and deserves using safe and effective proce¬dures, and state-of-the-art technology. You should only trust your most valuable possession, your body, to a qualified medi¬cal professional. Dr. Chaudhry is board certified by the American Board of Surgery, with a Certificate of Special Qualification in Vascular Surgery. Dr. Chaudhry practices at two conve¬nient office locations in Queens and Roslyn. Both centers have earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval, indicating that our organization complies with the highest standards for safety and quality care and has passed a thorough on-site evaluation against more than 150 standards that promote quality care and patient safety. Don’t ignore a potentially life-threatening situation. Call for a consultation: 844-832-8346 (VEIN). ADVERTORIAL
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