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Liver Disease and the Connection to Obesity and Venous Disease

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September 20, 2023

Reviewed by Dr. Kenneth Harper, MD

 

We are living in an age when millions are struggling with being overweight or obese. If you find yourself in this group maybe you have resigned yourself to the risk of obesity which includes among other things high blood pressure, diabetes, leg swelling, spider and varicose veins, and fatty liver disease, also known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

NASH is one of the leading causes of liver failure and the need for a liver transplant. To make matters worse if you have NASH your risks of vein disease are elevated, too. This blog is to shed light on this epidemic and to offer you hope. With a change in lifestyle and nutrition, things can be better. Want to get your life back? Make a decision today to change the way you live. Want to get better-looking and better-feeling legs? Keep reading to learn how we can help at VSS.

 

Obesity and Liver Disease an Epidemic

 

You may have never associated obesity with liver disease and an increased risk of developing leg swelling, varicose veins, and spider veins. While these conditions may not seem related, our bodies are complex machines where every system is interconnected. In this post, we will delve into the why and how of spider veins and varicose veins that accompany liver disease. Additionally, we will introduce you to the effective treatment options for vein disease provided by Vein Specialists of the South available right here in Georgia.

For years liver disease was synonymous with long-term alcohol abuse. Recently fatty liver disease or “NASH” has overtaken alcoholism in patients with liver disease and is now the leading cause of liver failure and patients on the liver transplant list. There seems to be a link between fatty liver disease and obesity in our society.

The good news is that there are things you can do to lower your risks of NASH and treatments that may reverse it in later stages. At VSS we are advocates for patients with obesity to begin their journey to health which includes diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. We love it when patients catch a vision of how their choices impact their health and then do something about it. As they shed their weight many formerly obese patients with obesity will begin to see their ‘hidden’ varicose veins.

How Liver Disease Affects Circulation and Vein Disease

Estrogen, a naturally occurring hormone, among many things, helps regulate the menstrual cycle in women. Liver disease, particularly cirrhosis, can cause an increase in circulating estrogen levels in men and women. This hormonal imbalance can cause symptoms like hair loss, breast enlargement, decreased libido, and spider veins.

On another level, liver disease and portal hypertension, a form of high blood pressure in the venous system of the liver affects the venous blood flow to the heart from the intestines, spleen, and the lower body and legs. As the portal vein pressure increases surrounding veins dilate to divert venous blood around the distorted veins in the liver. These “dilated varicose veins or varices” can lead to serious internal bleeding, and spider veins on the face or chest. In later stages, the increased abominable venous pressure impedes venous blood flow from the legs causing varicose veins, spider veins, and leg swelling.

What are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are tiny (<1mm), blue, red, or purple veins near the surface of the skin. They look like spider webs or tree branches thus the name. Spider veins on your legs may be linked to other health conditions, including varicose veins, blood clots, and even liver disease.

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are bulging superficial veins (> 3mm in size). You can see or feel most of your varicose veins but it is important to know about 40% of your varicose veins are ‘hidden’ and can only be seen with ultrasound. So if you have symptoms of vein disease like heaviness, aching, burning, stinging, itching, swelling, skin changes, restless legs, and leg cramps at night you should see your vein specialists to make sure you don’t have underlying vein disease.

BETTER VEINS.
BETTER LIFE.® PLAN

It’s just 3 easy steps…

Vein Specialists of the South Macon

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Vein Specialists of the South Macon

HAVE YOUR LEGS EVALUATED

Vein Specialists of the South Macon

ENJOY BETTER LOOKING BETTER FEELING LEGS

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

HAVE YOUR LEGS EVALUATED

ENJOY BETTER LOOKING BETTER FEELING LEGS

Vein Treatments in Georgia

At Vein Specialists of the South, we offer comprehensive minimally invasive care. Our goal is for you to enjoy better veins for life through individualized care to meet your needs delivered with WOW service so that you can enjoy life again as you live, work, and play. Remember, If you do nothing things will only get worse but there is hope with comprehensive specialty vein care.

If you have associated liver disease and vein disease we will work with you and your medical specialists to develop a plan of care to help you achieve the best possible results at Vein Specialists of the South, with three convenient locations in Macon, Locust Grove, and Warner Robins, GA.

Spider Vein Treatments

The most popular treatment worldwide for spider veins is cosmetic sclerotherapy. Our team of sclerotherapy experts at VSS is trained by Terri Harper, APRN. Terri is a leader in the field of cosmetic sclerotherapy having trained clinicians across the US and internationally for over 20 years. Terri is the clinical director of Spa Medical located adjacent to VSS where they specialize in helping their patients look as young as they feel with non-surgical treatments like Botox and Fillers, laser, and aesthetic skin care.

During sclerotherapy, a specialized solution is injected into the affected veins, which irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to collapse and fade. This procedure is safe, and effective, and can make a significant difference aesthetically. Most patients need 3-4 treatment sessions to fade the visible spider veins an average of 70-80%. Maintenance. treatments may be needed over time. For patients who are resistant to sclerotherapy, we offer laser therapy at Spa Medical.

Varicose Vein Treatments

Our philosophy of your vein care is comprehensive in nature with the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. We are committed to conservative care and when necessary procedures to help you enjoy life again with better-looking and better-feeling legs. When treatments are necessary we treat the underlying cause of your condition and the superficial varicose veins, too. All of your ‘walk in walk out’ treatments are performed in our accredited Vein Center under a gentle local anesthesia with ‘little to no downtime’.

At VSS you will benefit from a full range of innovative methods for treating varicose veins which can involve everything from vein removal to sealing the affected veins. These include:

  • Endovenous ablation with heat energy: Radiofrequency, Laser
  • Endovenous therapy with non-thermal methods: VenaSeal and Varithena
  • Minimally invasive removal of varicose veins: Micro-phlebectomy

 

See before and after photos from our practice.

Vein Specialists of the South Macon

PATIENT REVIEWS

*Individual Results May Vary

5/5
Vein Specialists of the South Macon

If you have Liver Disease and Vein Disease

Having liver disease is a challenging road to navigate, and adding venous disease to the mix can be frustrating and uncomfortable. However, knowing the cause of the problem and the effective treatment options available can make all the difference. At Vein Specialists of the South, we provide comprehensive care and cutting-edge solutions to alleviate discomfort and restore our patients’ confidence.

We make receiving care the care you need, as convenient as possible. With three locations in Macon, Locust Grove, and Warner Robins, GA, and virtual and in-person consultation options, we meet you where you are so you can receive timely care, no matter your schedule.

Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and learn how we can help you feel your best, or visit our VirtualVein.com service to get started with a digital consultation.

More To Explore

  

Choose Your Location

Macon: 478-743-2472

Warner Robins: 478-743-2472

Locust Grove: 470-880-8346

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