"I'm Living My Best Life" Central Georgia Mom Improves Her Quality of Life With Vein Care

Studies Show Poor Vein Health Affects Quality of Life

In a previous article, The Mind-Body Connection: Poor Mental Health and Venous Disease, we noted important findings from the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. They measured the Quality of Life (QoL) scores of individuals living with venous disease and found that their quality of life scores matched those who have had heart attacks, strokes, and even congestive heart failure.

Essentially, the effect poor leg health has on your quality of life is scientifically measurable. It’s a validating feeling for many people who suffer, often in silence, with venous disease. But the good news is that you really don’t have to put your life on hold because of venous disease. There are options available to help you get back to living your life on your terms.

What are Varicose Veins and Leg Discomfort Keeping You From Doing?

Does this sound like you?

“I can’t play with my children/grandchildren for very long before my legs start to hurt or feel tired.”

“I used to ride my bicycle to work every day, but now my legs hurt too much.”

“Just taking a walk causes enough pain that I don’t want to do it.”

“I can’t wear a bathing suit or shorts without feeling embarrassed.”

If you can relate to any of the above, then your quality of life is impacted by poor health and chronic pain.

So, my question to you is: why?

Why do you choose to continue living with leg pain and immobility?

• Too busy?
• Uncomfortable getting a procedure?
• Worried about the cost?

We can help with all of the above and more, so keep reading.

Vein Care Solutions for Busy Lifestyles

Like so many of us, Jennifer has a “hectic lifestyle.” Being too busy is a top cause of poor health in general. We often don’t get enough sleep every night, so it’s no surprise that too many of us delay care or ignore what ails us. If being busy has kept you from seeking care for your legs and veins, allow us to show you how easy it is to improve your leg health and quality of life with Vein Specialists of the South.

Guided Self Care for Treatment and Prevention

At Vein Specialists of the South, we recommend lifestyle changes to all of our patients.

We know, we know… you’re “busy,” and we understand that.

Hear us out.

Most of our lifestyle changes are really easy to implement and take little-to-no time to incorporate as daily habits.

1. Seriously, wear compression sleeves, socks, and/or stockings. They will change your life. Graduated compression improves circulation while relieving pain and heaviness. Compression also aids in the prevention of new or worsening varicose veins and, even more importantly, preventing blood clots! Replace your hosiery and socks with compression. It’s so simple!
2. Put your feet up for 30-minutes a day. This one is really easy to do, even if you are busy. Find a moment where you are sitting or lying still for 30 minutes or more and choose to spend that time improving your leg health and comfort. Elevate those legs, feet above your heart. This will reduce swelling and pressure while aiding healthy blood flow from the feet to the heart.
3. Put the high-heels away. Yes, those shoes are lovely and they make your calves look amazing, but can you imagine those calves with visible varicose or spider veins? Do your legs a favor and spend more time wearing comfortable, supportive flats. There are so many fashionable options available. Make the switch. It’s super easy.

These are just the easiest lifestyle changes we recommend as part of our Better Veins for Life® principles.

We also offer:

• Telehealth and virtual appointments to save you time on your commute
• Three convenient locations in Atlanta (Locust Grove), Downtown Macon, and Warner Robins, Georgia.
• Minimally invasive Walk-In, Walk-Out® procedures with no downtime. Our patients walk right out of their procedure rooms with a simple self-adhesive bandage and instructions to take over-the-counter acetaminophen.

We make it very convenient for you to fit your health into the busiest lifestyles, helping you get back to what you love and improve quality of life.

No Procedures for Me, Doc!

We understand you may be uncomfortable with a vein procedure, especially if you’re picturing the vein stripping procedure your grandmother told you about. Well, allow us to put your mind at ease…

We don’t really do that procedure anymore.

Varicose vein removal treatments have come a long way in the last 25+ years, and Vein Specialists of the South has been at the forefront of providing our patients with the most effective, minimally invasive, cutting edge treatments.

Our Walk-In, Walk-Out® varicose vein procedures only require:

• a visit to our clinic, not a surgery center
• local anesthesia, with no need for general anesthesia
• a single, very small incision
• a regular self-adhesive bandage
• over-the-counter acetaminophen

Read more about our varicose vein procedures.

Of course, we also provide all of our patients with conservative care guidance and support. Sometimes, just making a few lifestyle changes can delay the need for a procedure while you learn more about our procedures and get comfortable with our team.

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Vein Health and Quality of Life

As we showed you above, there are simple lifestyle changes you can make into daily habits to improve your leg health and quality of life.

If you want to step up your leg recovery and delay the need for a vein procedure, we also recommend weight loss if you’re overweight and exercise.

1. If you’re overweight, get to work to drop the pounds. The extra weight you’re carrying around is hurting your legs, hindering healthy circulation while putting additional pressure on your veins and valves. Talk to your primary care physician about ways you can safely and effectively lose weight, especially if you’ve been unsuccessful through diet and exercise.
2. Speaking of exercise, you need to move more. When you don’t move often enough, your blood flow slows and your veins weaken. When you exercise, you flex your calf muscles. At Vein Specialists of the South, we sometimes call the calves the heart muscles of the legs, because flexing those calf muscles supports healthy blood flow from your feet to your heart. Daily walks, riding a bicycle, and swimming are all great ways to increase your exercise.

Read more about our recommended lifestyle changes that don’t require a vein procedure.

Payment Options for Increased Access to Care

We accept many health insurance plans, Care Credit, Medicare, and funds through your Health Savings Account.

At Vein Specialists of the South, we also believe no one should be denied treatment due to inability to pay. We want you to seek care sooner, not later. If you are without insurance or concerned about out-of-pocket costs for your vein care, contact us and find out about your options.

Don’t let cost keep you from taking care of your health. We’re here for you.