RMVC Sponsors Cody Health Fair

What’s New at RMVC?

If you have not visited our website lately you should take the time to look at our new additions. Always a great resource for information on venous disease.

Cody, Wyoming

Educating patients and being involved in our communities has always been a priority for all of us at RMVC. We have enjoyed meeting the patients who have scheduled to see us at our monthly vein screenings in Sydney Montana, as well as those we have met in the communities where we have participated in Health Fairs and Health Expos throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

RMVC was proud to be the sponsor of the 2015 Cody Community Health Fair on March 14th, from 9 a.m. to noon. The health fair was held at the Cody Auditorium with 34 health care based businesses participating. The booths participating provided information on services to the community ranging from early childhood development to assisted living for the elderly. Their participation and desire to help the Cody community made this event a success for everyone!

The event truly was a community event and effort. RMVC was delighted to have the help they received from the Big Horn Radio Network who provided in-kind advertising on their radio stations as well as ideas and contacts for some of the community members they knew involved in health care in the Cody area.

RMVC Sponsors Cody Health Fair continued Educating patients and being involved in their communities has always been a priority for us at RMVC

A common misconception is that varicose veins primarily affect women.

Statistics show that 25% of women and 18% of men suffer from varicose veins, and over 40 million people suffer from vein disease.

Cody, Wyoming

The UPS Store in Cody was very helpful in providing free color copies of the flyers that were posted around town. A local Boy Scout Troop as well as a local youth church group helped with the set-up and organization of the booths as well as the break-down of the booths. These community partnerships, including a front page article provided by the Cody Enterprise helped to boost interest in the event. We estimate that several hundred people attended the 3 hour event.

Our ultrasound provider, Big Sky Ultrasound conducted over 30 free ultrasound scans for vein disease. During the last hour of the health fair Dr. Johnson gave a comprehensive presentation on vein disease in the Club Room of the Auditorium. His presentation covered symptoms, treatment and long-term management of the disease.

Thermopolis, Wyoming

On March 28, from 8 a.m. to noon, RMVC also attended the 2015 Kiwanis Health Fair in Thermopolis Wyoming. With the help of Big Sky screening ultrasounds for over 40 attendees. Only 3 of the 40 who were scanned did not show significant problems with their veins. To RMVC that indicates the importance of continuing to reach out to our communities and medical providers to provide education about vein disease.

Butte, Montana

In Butte, Montana, we were able to set up a booth at the Mayfair with free ultrasounds, vein screenings, and consultations. Our Bozeman staff answered questions about venous disease and helped to educate fair goers about vein problems in general.

The most common reaction that we get when we present information is a lack of awareness of the symptoms of vein disease, as well as lack of knowledge of the latest treatments available. Our experience at Women’s Night in Bozeman, which was focused on secondary health and wellness practitioners who deliver health care services in the area, also reinforced our findings that most people don’t understand vein disease.

A common misconception is that varicose veins primarily affect women.

Statistics show that 25% of women and 18% of men suffer from varicose veins, and over 40 million people suffer from vein disease.

Symptoms of varicose veins can include:

Cramping, aching/throbbing, restlessness/tiredness, bulging, itching/burning, pain, leg heaviness, fatigue, swelling, tenderness, and ulcers or chronic wounds in the lower legs. Some individuals are at a higher risk for developing varicose veins due to: Heredity, pregnancy, age, obesity, hormonal problems, physical trauma, or jobs requiring prolonged periods of standing or sitting.

Our educational priority is to let people know that vein disease is not something that happens naturally with age and that people have to live with. At RMVC, we provide you with a personalized 6-Step Treatment Plan that includes not only assessing and determining the best treatment for your particular symptoms, but also developing a long-term management course for your vein disease. We are pleased to have sponsored Cody’s Health Fair, and attended Thermopolis’ and Butte’s.

Endovenous Ablation versus Vein Stripping

Vein stripping is the gold standard to which all other vein treatments are compared. The process was first described by Aulus Cornelius Celsus in 45 A.D. and continued to be the primary treatment for varicose veins until early 2000, when endovenous ablation took its place. Once one understands the different approaches to the treatment of varicose veins, it is easy to see why vein stripping is currently rarely performed in the United States.

Vein stripping is surgery.

It involves removal of the greater saphenous vein (GSV) or less frequently the small saphenous vein (SSV). The greater saphenous vein runs from the groin down the inner thigh to the inner ankle and sits directly on top of muscle. Using a 2 inch incision, the GSV is ligated, or tied off, at the groin. Incisions are made in several places along the inner leg and the vein is removed through these holes. The patient is asleep for this process. After the surgery, the hospital stay is typically 3 to 6 days. Most patients are able to return to work and their normal life 17 days after the surgery is performed.

Endovenous ablation is an out-patient procedure.

Endovenous ablation is a procedure that includes radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endovenous laser treatment (EVLT). Endovenous ablation can be performed in the doctor’s office. Using a 2-3mm incision, a treatment catheter is placed in the saphenous vein. Fluid is injected into the vein to numb the surrounding tissue. The vein is then heated from the inside with either radiofrequency or laser energy. This damages the lining of the vein, causing it to shrink and it instantly close, allowing no more blood to flow through it. The vein turns into a fibrous band and is absorbed over about one year. No hospitalization is required. Most return to work the same day with minimal restrictions.

drawbacks when compared to endovenous ablation.

Endovenous ablation has far fewer risks since general anesthesia in not used and it is much less invasive of a procedure. This type of treatment is also cheaper, as there is no prolonged hospital stay and one can return to work much sooner. Vein stripping is much more painful and leads to more bruising due to the larger incision and traumatic nature of the procedure. Vein stripping also causes neovascularization, which is the development of many new veins that eventually need treatment. Endovenous ablation and vein stripping are equally effective.

Both result in a significant reduction in leg symptoms from varicose veins, such as: leg aching, heaviness fatigue, swelling, night time cramps, restlessness and itching. Both improve overall quality of life. Several medical studies show the benefits of endovenous ablation and vein stripping are the same up to six years later. However, because endovenous ablation is far less invasive than vein stripping and incurs far fewer physical and financial costs, it is the preferred choice for many providers and patients.

Summer Leg Health Tips

During the summer months when we are on the go we need to make sure we are practicing good health management of our legs. Often we are traveling during these months, either for a long vacation or those weekend getaways.

Here are some recommended tips:

• Car travel – Make sure you plan for stops so that you can exercise your legs. One of the major contributing factors of venous disease is long periods of sitting in one place. If you plan on frequent stops (say every two hours or 150 miles), you will be able to keep blood flowing through the legs. If you are traveling with your four-legged companion, they will thank you for the scheduled stops!
• Air travel – While airlines continue to reduce the leg room and squeeze more passengers into smaller planes, it is a good idea on those long cross-country or international flights to move about the cabin to exercise your legs. It is recommended, if conditions allow, to walk up and down the aisles every few hours to maintain adequate circulation in your legs.
• Hotel – Most hotels today have some type of exercise area, whether it’s a pool, exercise bikes, or walking paths. After those long hours of sitting in a car or airplane, it is a good idea to take at least thirty minutes and get in a little cardiovascular exercise and move those legs to maintain good circulation.

Safe travels and a little walking or other exercise will do those legs wonders during the summer months. Leg health is more important than many people realize, and so it is essential to stay aware and proactive.

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