A closeup of a person's thigh with brown spots on it.

Why Are There Brown Spots on My Legs?

The appearance of brown marks on your lower legs can be both confusing and concerning. Several factors, such as prolonged sun exposure or other health-related issues can cause these discolorations. Recognizing the potential reasons behind these changes is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and addressing any underlying concerns. What Causes Brown Spots on Legs? There […]

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A pair of women's legs on a bed with a pair of compression socks being put on.

Can You Sleep in Compression Socks?

As more people turn to compression socks for everything from post-workout recovery to managing chronic conditions, one question remains: Can you sleep in compression socks? Whether you’re dealing with swollen ankles, recovering from surgery, or simply trying to maximize the benefits of your compression wear, understanding the facts about overnight use is important. How Do […]

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A woman's leg with red markings and other symptoms of phlebitis.

What Is Phlebitis? Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever experienced unexplained pain or redness along your veins? You might be dealing with phlebitis, a condition that affects thousands of people each year. This inflammation of the veins can range from a minor nuisance to a serious medical concern requiring immediate attention. Understanding what phlebitis is and recognizing its early warning signs […]

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A pair of women's legs with her hands holding a pain point due to blood clots.

Can You Feel a Blood Clot? Understanding the Symptoms

Blood clots can range from minor to life-threatening, depending on where they form and how quickly they’re treated. While some blood clots cause obvious symptoms like pain and swelling, others may develop without warning signs. Understanding what to look for could help save your life or someone else’s. What Is a Blood Clot? When you’re […]

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A woman sitting on a couch grabbing her leg with varicose vein pain.

Should Varicose Veins Be Painful?

Millions of Americans have varicose veins. However, should varicose veins be painful? While not everyone feels discomfort, many people with varicose veins feel varying pain levels, from mild to severe. Understanding this issue is crucial, as it can affect your daily life and overall well-being.  Can Varicose Veins Cause Discomfort? Yes, varicose veins can cause […]

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A woman sitting on a couch grabbing her aching leg.

Why Do My Legs Ache All the Time?

Do your legs constantly ache, leaving you wondering what might be causing the discomfort? Whether it’s a dull throb that lingers or sharp pain that interrupts your day, it can make even the simplest activities challenging if your leg is in pain. The causes can vary widely—from strained muscles and poor circulation to nerve issues […]

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Close-up of a person walking or jogging on a paved path, wearing athletic shoes and shorts, in a sunny park setting.

Can Exercise Help Reduce Varicose Veins?

Living with varicose veins can be uncomfortable and frustrating. Many people wonder if varicose veins can disappear with exercise. Is exercise a potential way to manage my condition? While exercises for varicose veins alone may not eliminate them, they can significantly improve your vascular health and decrease their appearance and discomfort. How Does Exercise Impact […]

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Close-up of a person gently touching their upper thigh, showing visible spider veins, in a softly lit room with white bedding.

Spider Veins vs Varicose Veins: Is There a Difference?

Have you ever spotted thin, web-like lines on your skin or felt discomfort from bulging veins in your legs? These visible changes can be concerning, but they are often signs of common vein conditions. Understanding the difference between spider veins vs varicose veins can help you recognize their causes, symptoms, and treatment options. What Causes […]

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A woman holding her legs that have varicose veins

A Guide to Leaky Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Countless people experience leaky veins in their legs, especially as they get older or through certain seasons of life. Perhaps you inherited vein-related issues from your parents or are dealing with the residual effects of an old injury. Either way, if you’re living with symptoms of leaky leg veins, you’re not alone — and there […]

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A man walking on a road with the view of the waist down.

How to Improve Circulation in Your Legs

Poor vein circulation in your legs can cause more than just discomfort—it may lead to varicose veins and symptoms like pain, heaviness, or fatigue that can disrupt your daily life. Fortunately, lifestyle adjustments and medical treatments can help you increase leg circulation, support healthy veins, and reduce discomfort. Understanding Vein Circulation in Your Legs Your […]

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A young woman sitting on a couch holding her leg which has a bruise.

Can Bruises Cause Blood Clots?

Bruises and blood clots both stem from problems related to your blood vessels, but can bruises cause blood clots? Not necessarily, but there are certain factors to be aware of if you’re concerned about blood clots with bruising.  Both bruises and blood clots are common, but it’s important to know the differences between bruising vs […]

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We Are Now Empire Vein and Vascular Specialists

If you are an existing patient of ours, you may have noticed that Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists now has a brand new name. From now on, we will be called Empire Vein and Vascular Specialists. We want to explain a bit more about this change, our rebrand, what it means for you, and how […]

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Person holding a swollen leg, appearing to feel discomfort.

What Causes Swelling in Only One Leg?

Edema is swelling caused by fluid trapped in your tissues. It’s most common in the legs but can affect any part of the body, like swollen ankles from varicose veins or hand edema from trauma. Lower extremity edema is often experienced in both legs. It is typically caused by systemic medical conditions such as congestive […]

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How to Prevent Leg Pain on Planes and Long Trips

With the arrival of spring and summer, many people’s thoughts turn to travel. But long-distance travel often means long hours confined to an airplane or in the car, which can lead to sluggish circulation, blood clots, swelling, and pain.   If you are planning a long-awaited vacation or if a business trip is coming up […]

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Understanding Venous Reflux Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Venous reflux disease, also known as chronic venous insufficiency, is a common condition affecting the leg veins. The terms venous reflux and venous insufficiency are often used interchangeably. This chronic condition causes several painful symptoms and can lead to a variety of undesirable and challenging health complications, including pain, cramping, varicose veins, spider veins, swelling, […]

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Best Vitamins for Varicose Vein Repair

Nutrition is an essential aspect of all areas of your health, including your veins. Improving the nutritional quality of your diet is a great way to support healthy circulation. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best supplements and vitamins for vein health and where to find them.  Why Vitamins Are Important for […]

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A woman wrapping tape around a leg with varicose veins.

Is There Such Thing as Varicose Veins Self-Care?

Varicose veins, twisted bulging veins that often appear on the legs, require medical treatment to completely go away. However, if you are not quite ready to pursue medical intervention and want to try managing your veins at home, several home remedies for varicose veins can help. While these practices won’t reverse the vein damage, they […]

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Castor oil for varicose veins

Can You Use Castor Oil to Treat Varicose Veins?

While you may not like the appearance of varicose or spider veins, they are usually painless in the early stages but can cause discomfort or more significant symptoms if left untreated. Due to their undesirable appearance on the legs, people are often looking for “natural” treatments for varicose veins, hoping to get rid of them […]

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A man with varicose veins putting on a compression sock.

Varicose Veins in Men: Symptoms and Treatment

When it comes to home-related issues, there is nothing more frustrating than plumbing problems. An unnoticed leaking pipe can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home, possibly making it unlivable. This is why plumbing is one of the professions with the highest pay.  Your vascular system, or the veins throughout your body, is […]

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Close-up of legs with deep vein thrombosis and medical illustration showing affected veins.

What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, typically occurring in the legs. The clot can cause pain, swelling, or no symptoms at all. While a DVT isn’t always life-threatening, it’s essential to receive medical treatment as soon as possible to prevent any complications. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Explained […]

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GPT Patient filling out a medical form while talking to a doctor.

Does Insurance Cover Varicose Vein Treatment?

You’re ready to get your varicose veins treated but are concerned about the cost. Before you make an appointment, you may want to know if varicose vein treatment is covered by insurance. How much will your insurance plan cover, and how much will you pay out-of-pocket? And if it isn’t covered, how much does varicose […]

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A pair of vascular surgeons performing surgery on a patient's leg with a vascular related issue.

What Is a Vascular Surgeon?

A vascular surgeon specializes in treating disorders of the vascular system, which includes the blood vessels, arteries, and veins throughout your body. If you experience symptoms like pain, swelling, or numbness in your legs and arms, it may be time to consider a consultation with a vascular surgeon.  Understanding the Role of a Vascular Surgeon […]

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A woman touching her legs with varicose veins in a bedroom.

When Should I Start to Worry About Varicose Veins?

If you have varicose veins or experience symptoms like heaviness, cramping, itching, or leg pain, you may wonder when to worry about varicose veins. Are varicose veins harmful? What are the risks of varicose veins that you should worry about?  Managing varicose veins proactively is one of the best ways to prevent complications. Here’s what […]

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A man holding his leg with a ruptured varicose vein.

Ruptured Varicose Veins: Causes and Treatment

Often, those with varicose veins complain about their appearance. But veins can be more than just cosmetic. Occasionally, varicose veins can burst. While a burst varicose vein is not necessarily a medical emergency, you do need to seek medical attention as soon as possible to help resolve the issue and prevent it from getting worse. […]

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