Category: Blogs

Varicose veins come with a slew of symptoms that can be mildly annoying or downright disruptive to everyday life. Many people with vein disease complain of discomfort in their lower limbs, but do varicose veins cause leg cramps? Let’s explore the relationship between varicose veins and leg cramps and, most importantly, what you can do […]

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 veins in your legs, you’re not alone — […]

At Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists, we understand that your needs and goals for treating your varicose or spider veins are as individual as you are. We create individualized treatment plans by matching your desires for how you want to look and feel with the most effective treatments for your individual needs. The cost of […]

Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a common, progressive condition in older adults in which blood flow in the arteries of the legs becomes increasingly restricted. If left undiagnosed and untreated, PAD can lead to serious complications may range from cramping and pain in the legs when walking to non-healing wounds and even amputation. In […]

What are Vein Valves? Interspersed throughout your veins are small crescent-shaped flaps of tissue, known as valves, that help prevent a backflow of blood. These valves project from the innermost layer of the vein wall to the center of the vein and are angled towards the heart in the direction of venous blood flow. Lacking […]

Aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) refers to the blockage of the aorta or the iliac arteries. The aorta divides into branches called around the level of the navel to supply blood to the legs and the pelvic organs. This blockage typically occurs due to a buildup of plaque within the walls of the blood vessels. Patients […]

Aortic dissection occurs when the blood enters the arterial wall between the inner and middle layers of the aorta. This condition may occur when the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to flow from the main area of the artery into the wall. This risk is that the aortic dissection could channel blood […]

Ultrasound is one of the gold standard methods for evaluating varicose veins. An ultrasound study produces a comprehensive map of the large and small veins, branching veins, and interconnecting veins of your legs. Ultrasound is often performed as a first step in evaluating varicose veins and also provides valuable follow-up information to monitor the healing […]

Symptoms of varicose veins and spider veins can range from barely noticeable to incapacitating and may include sensations such as pressure, heaviness, fatigue, stiffness, aching, and itching. These symptoms can wax and wane depending on various factors and can vary from person to person. Varicose vein and spider vein symptoms can also be confused with […]

During the pandemic, many employers began offering their employees the option to work from home. This arrangement has worked out well and workers are reporting that they’re happier and more productive than before. However, working from home may also include a loss of healthy habits, like working out at the gym on the way to […]

Whether you have varicose veins currently or if you have some of the risk factors and want to minimize your risks and potential complications, there are safe and effective ways to improve your vein health. Following are simple lifestyle habits proven to improve vein health and reduce symptoms of varicose veins. Eat Lots of Fiber […]

The tissues of the human body are nourished through a consistent and healthy flow of blood from head to toe. This is a delicate system that functions effectively for most people. However, disruptions in blood flow have the potential to interrupt normal activities, cause pain, or create critical health issues. Blood clots are widely recognized […]

Leg Swelling Related to Inflammation Swelling in the legs due to inflammation can be caused by a number of underlying health conditions. Normally the endothelial surface is smooth and allows the blood to flow freely. However, when there is increased pressure in the veins, such as from faulty valves or activities that involve prolonged standing […]

While genetics play a big role in determining who gets varicose veins and who doesn’t, factors such as your occupation, lifestyle habits, even your diet also enter into the equation. Occupations that involve a lot of standing are known to increase risk and teaching falls squarely in that category. Varicose veins are consistently at the […]

Myths and misconceptions about varicose veins and varicose vein treatments cause many people to delay care. This results in needless suffering and limits people’s ability to live life to the fullest. Here we present the second installment of our 2-part series (see Part 1 here) in which we dispel varicose vein myths so that more people […]

Myths and misconceptions about varicose veins abound, from who gets varicose veins to the causes and treatments. These myths perpetuate inaccurate information that causes many people to postpone treatment that can put their health at risk unnecessarily. In this two-part series (see Part 2 here), we will dissect and dispel some of the main myths surrounding […]

We are pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Bertrand Janne d’Othée to Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists’ team of vascular specialists. Dr. Janne d’Othée’s distinguished career spans more than 20 years as an interventional radiologist specializing in the treatment of varicose and spider veins. He has held clinical and faculty positions at several teaching […]

Age Age is the most significant risk factor for varicose veins, and also a risk factor for which there is no solution[1]. As you age, the connective tissues in your veins become weaker and your body’s ability to produce collagen and elastin, the proteins that form these connective tissues decreases, leading to poorer quality structural […]

The initial appearance of spider veins or varicose veins can be disappointing and disheartening. But, for many people, even though they may be chalked up to age or family predisposition and are a source of embarrassment in public, as long as they remain seen and not felt, it’s easiest to simply ignore them or hide […]

There’s a good chance your doctor has recommended walking as a way to manage your mild to moderate varicose vein symptoms. This is good advice since walking is widely regarded as one of the best forms of self-care for varicose vein sufferers. But walking offers much more! In addition to helping alleviate varicose vein symptoms, […]

What Happens After I Get VenaSeal Treatment? To achieve the best results possible from your VenaSeal™ treatment there are a few do’s and don’ts you’ll want to follow. Apply these simple steps to ensure fast, incident-free healing. Immediately After Your Procedure In preparation for the VenaSeal procedure, the injection site(s) will be cleaned with an alcohol swab. […]

When varicose veins first appear, they can be completely painless, but over time many people start to notice painful symptoms which can be quite distressing. There are four stages of development that varicose veins progress through, with each having different symptoms. To understand what varicose vein leg pain feels like it’s helpful to look at […]

A free vein screening and ultrasound at Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists are the perfect no-obligation way to learn about what we can do to help you become free of the pain and discomfort of your varicose veins. From start to finish a vein screening takes about 45 minutes and the valuable information you will receive […]

With several treatment options available, it is important to make an informed decision about vein treatment. The board-certified vascular doctors at Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists can advise which options are best for your needs. VenaSeal™ VenaSeal™ is a state-of-the-art technique that permanently closes off varicose veins. This means that VenaSeal™ treats the underlying cause rather than […]