progresses, complications can develop, like thrombophlebitis, trophic ulcers, reperfusion cellulitis, swelling of an extreme degree called anasarca, progressive infections called phlegmasia, and even skin cancer. Other, less common problems include chronic pelvic pain and orthostatic hypotension. What’s really going wrong in these veins? It all starts in the small folds on the inside lining. In a vein of normal diameter, the folds located on opposite walls can reach each other to form a valve, allowing blood to move only in one direction: upstream. Such veins are called “competent” or “suffi cient.” In even slightly enlarged veins, those folds do not meet. The blood, therefore, can go either direction. The “abnormal valves” are appropriately called “incompetent,” and the vein is called “insuffi cient.” Normally, blood in our legs moves against gravity to reach the heart; in an “insuffi cient vein,” however, the blood will be directed vertically down, toward the feet. HEALTH CONSEQUENCES Insuffi cient veins can have many detrimental consequences. The ones most people know about are mechanical—such as dilated, varicose veins, and swollen legs and feet. However, many people don’t realize the biochemical consequences, like increased toxins in the blood. The blood fl owing through our veins is “used” blood. It doesn’t contain oxygen or nutrients, and it’s loaded with carbon dioxide and other end products of metabolism. These waste materials need to be fi ltered through the kidneys, liver, gastro-intestinal tract, and lungs, and eventually expelled from the body. Typically, the body is effi cient in getting rid of these toxins, so they don’t hang around long leading to further complications. In the old days, surgeons made a large, entire-leg incision and removed the affected veins during an operation. Not only was it disfi guring, invasive, and required general anesthesia—with a long recovery period—“looking” for it was a crude way to fi nd an insuffi cient vein. Today, we fi nd abnormal veins with an ultra-sound machine. It’s precise, painless, and quick. Once the vein is identifi ed, there are several types of treatments designed to seal the vein from the inside, as opposed to surgical removal. Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) is the best approach. The vein not only remains closed, but in most cases, it slowly disintegrates while being digested by surrounding soft tissues. The vein is gone, so the problem is gone. At USA Vein Clinics, physicians, with high qualifi cations in vascular pathology—specializing exclusively in management of venous insuffi ciency and its complications—conduct meticulous evaluations, perform needed testing, and administer appropriate treatment on a case-by-case basis. In our centers, the relationship between doctor and patient doesn’t stop upon completion of treatment; we always follow our patients to ensure perfect results and full satisfaction. USA Vein Clinic Centers are conveniently located in three Chicagoland locations: Chicago (Belmont Ave.), Northbrook, and Elk Grove Village. USA Vein Clinics. Call 24/7 847-346-0070; www.USAVeinClinics.com 22 The Courier sun • HEAlth • march 7, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com Is it time to help your parent enjoy a new independent lifestyle? For the best value in senior independent living, take a closer look at Flushing House! Not-for-Profit Flushing House 38-20 Bowne Street Flushing, New York 11354 Seniors enjoy freedom, friendship and support in a lively, congenial atmosphere at Flushing House, the dedicated, not-for-profit senior community in the heart of Queens. It's everything you could ask for in a quality, affordable senior residence. Private apartments with kitchenettes and services from $2250/month. • 24-hour security • Continental breakfast, lunch, dinner • Weekly housekeeping/linen services Onsite home health agency Ongoing activity programs Computer learning & fitness centers Frequent trips in our own van Flushing House celebrate living every day™ For the best value in senior living, call us today! www.flushinghouse.com 718-762-3198 Seniors enjoy freedom, friendship and support in a lively, congenial atmosphere at Flushing House, the dedicated, not-for-profit senior community in the heart of Queens. It's everything you could ask for in a quality, affordable senior residence. Private apartments with kitchenettes and services from $2400/month. • 24-hour security • Continental breakfast, lunch, dinner • Weekly housekeeping/linen services • Onsite home health agency & clinic • Ongoing recreation/activity programs • Computer learning & fitness centers • Frequent trips in our own van • Call 800-345-4571 to learn about United Lifeline -- our personal emergency response service gives seniors independence and safety Pomegranate juice helps prevent cancer, promotes cell health and slows atherosclerosis—hardening of the arteries in the heart CALL 718-267-4333 TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS AND SCREENINGS WALK-INS WELCOME! Some restrictions apply. Please see individual events. S M W T F S 14 21 12 19 Please visit www.mshq.org/events for locations and times of yoga classes & blood pressure screenings. LISTEN TO ADVERTISEMENT YOUR LEGS Most of us don’t think much about our legs until they start hurting. When they do, we try to live with the pain, instead of seeing a doctor. Putting off a visit to a specialist, however, can have serious health consequences, since leg problems can be a gateway to deeper health issues. Doctor Yan Katsnelson is a Harvard-trained cardiovascular surgeon, an expert in minimally invasive surgery, and founder of the USA Vein Clinics. We asked the doctor why it’s so important to see a physician sooner rather than later when experiencing leg pain. Research has shown that nearly 50% of the world’s population will eventually be plagued with vein disorders. The symptoms, however, are sometimes difficult to detect during the early stages. What should we watch for? Listen to your legs! Many of us think that leg pain is completely normal. This is simply not true. If your legs feel tired, heavy, and swollen at the end of the day, if you often suffer from a burning or tingling sensation, experience cramps, notice skin discoloration, and observe varicose veins, it is time to see a specialist, as these could be signs of a potential problem. If you wait, the symptoms may become worse, possibly leading to pain, ulcers, and even blood clots. There’s a tendency to ignore the warning symptoms of vein disease. Why is that dangerous? To answer this question completely, you need to know how vital the job that your veins perform everyday is. Veins are blood vessels that pump blood back to the heart. They contain special valves that open to let blood flow in the right direction and close to prevent it from flowing in the wrong direction. If these valves start malfunctioning— the main reason for varicose veins—serious complications may follow. After all, if blood cannot travel back to the heart, it becomes stagnant in the legs, which may lead to infections, ulcers and unsightly, painful, rope-like thrombi. In some cases, without treatment, venous disease may lead to the formation of life-threatening blood clots in the legs, which may travel all the way up to the lungs and block main blood vessels. What do you say to people who may be frightened of doctors, or the treatments they may recommend? I would say, “You Have No Reason To Be Scared!” By implementing the new, FDA recommended procedure, Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT), the treatment of varicose veins is practically painless, and the patient can quickly return to his/her regular activities. Treatment typically takes less than fifteen minutes. Some complicated cases may require several short treatments. Will medical insurance cover EVLT? The EVLT treatment is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans up to 100% Why would someone suffering from varicose veins choose USA Vein Clinics? By using state-of-the-art medical equipment, USA Vein Clinics is the best place for your legs. Our experienced cardiovascular surgeons have cured well over 10,000 patients across the country. We have offices in the major cities of Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Moreover, we know that the health of your legs is critical to enjoying life to its fullest, and we love what we do. If you suspect that you might have vein problems, don’t put it off and please give us a call today! USA Vein Clinic Centers are located in Queens and Brooklyn. Call 718-889-0171 or visit www.USAVeinClinics.com You’re in Trusted Hands™ www.USAVeinClinics.com MARCH FREE HEALTH & WELLNESS EVENTS FOR A PHYSICIAN REFERRAL, CALL 1-800-YOUR-MDS OR VISIT WWW.MSHQ.ORG COME TO A LECTURE – WE’RE SAVING YOUR SEAT! M A R C H 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 20 22 23 T 24 25 26 27 2318 29 30 31 ■ FREE Yoga Classes ■ FREE Blood Pressure Screenings ■ FREE Health & Wellness Events 7 Girls Night Out: New Horizons in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery Nima Patel, MD Join one of our top plastic and reconstructive surgeons for an update on advances in breast, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery. With support from Shareing & Careing. Refreshments will be served. For more information about Dr. Patel, please visit www.mshq.org/FAD Thursday – 6:30 pm George T. Douris Tower, 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South, 2nd Floor Community Room, Astoria, 11102 12 What’s New in Women’s Health: A Concern For Women of All Ages Bradley Safro, MD Get much needed information about general gynecology, minimally invasive corrective surgeries, osteoporosis, menopause, and other women’s health issues. Refreshments will be served. Registration required. For more information about Dr. Safro, please visit www.mshq.org/FAD Tuesday – 11 am Lefkos Pirgos Cafe, 22-85 31st Street, Astoria, 11105 14 Colon Cancer Awareness & Screening: Reducing Your Risks of Colon Cancer Saurabh Mehandru, MD Learn how early detection and colonoscopy can prevent colon cancer. Refreshments will be served. Registration required. For more information about Dr. Mehandru, please visit www.mshq.org/FAD Thursday – 6 pm Mount Sinai Queens Family Health Associates, 31-60 21st Street, Astoria, 11106 19 Community CPR Training Class David Weissman, EMT This CPR class teaches core skills of CPR: pushing on the chest and breathing for the victim, recognizing the emergency, checking the victim for signs of circulation, and calling 911. Registration required. Tuesday – 6 pm Avalon Riverview, Community Room, 2-01 50th Avenue, Long Island City, 11101 21 Save Your Vision! Chad Haller, MD Let our ophthalmologist show you how to take care of your eyes and preserve your vision. Registration suggested. For more information about Dr. Haller, please visit www.mshq.org/FAD Thursday – 10:30 am JVL Dimotsis-Vallone Senior Center at George T. Douris Tower, 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South, Astoria, 11102
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