Leg swelling worse in summer

By Dr. Sonja Stiller, Center for Advanced Vein Care

While most people in Northeast Ohio cherish the warm summer months, those with venous health issues—including varicose veins—can find the heat intolerable. That’s because leg swelling is typically worse during the summer.

Healthy veins dilate in the heat in order to help manage body temperature, so without proper venous flow, blood—including toxins that are the result of metabolic waste—builds up in the lower legs causing achiness, swelling, and other symptoms.

Traditionally, many patients have avoided vein treatments in the summer months due to the compression stocking requirement, but not anymore. The new Venaseal Closure System, which relies on a special “glue” instead of medication or heat, does not have a compression requirement.

In addition, there is only a single IV inserted and that is the only discomfort one feels during the entire procedure. That’s a far cry from the painful stripping surgery and general anesthesia our grandparents had to endure. Today’s leading-edge varicose vein treatments are faster and virtually pain free. And the lack of a compression requirement means we can help patients year round.

Venaseal is now covered by Medicare, but it is not yet universally covered by insurance in Ohio. However, the advantages of the procedure are so great that many patients opt to pay for the treatment out of pocket.

Give our office a call if you’re experiencing leg swelling this time of year or any of the following symptoms:

• chronic leg pain
• fatigue
• itching
• burning
• inflammation
• leg cramps
• Restless Leg Syndrome

Dr. Sonja Stiller is a diplomat of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. She is the founder of the Center for Advanced Vein Care, a Tier 1 provider with Lake Health Hospital System, located at 7200 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. For an appointment, call 440-710-1140. More info can be found at YourHealthyVeins.com.