Category: Varicose Veins

February 20, 2019

Venous disease and varicose veins often cause symptoms like leg pain, heaviness, and swelling, but in advanced cases non-healing wounds can develop. These wounds are known as venous ulcers, varicose ulcers, or stasis ulcers. They can appear with little to no trauma, often low on […]

August 8, 2018

A lot can change over 15 years; we have watched our clinic grow from a staff of 3 to 13 employees and 7 physicians. We have relocated, remodeled, and expanded. We have watched the rise of minimally invasive ablation procedures replacing painful surgery. We have […]

June 13, 2018

When you are first established as a patient you will have an initial thorough ultrasound of one or both legs. This first ultrasound is referred to as “vein mapping” where every vein in the leg is evaluated. After each procedure you will have a follow […]

May 16, 2018

Evolution is a wonderful thing, but varicose veins are one associated aspect that humans could have happily lived without. Unfortunately, the ability to stand and walk on two legs came with unsightly and unhealthy consequences. But if you think vanity associated with the current “selfie […]

May 9, 2018

As a new patient at IVC you will receive a personalized treatment plan based on your specific venous disease. Normally, this consists of treating several veins in each leg through a combination of ablation, sclerotherapy, and ambulatory phlebectomy. Many patients need 2-3 treatment days and […]

January 12, 2018

There are a myriad of ways to treat varicose veins and a number of clinics that treat them. Some of these clinic are excellent and some not so much. So how do you decide which clinic is right for you? Well let’s discuss some of […]

November 29, 2017

What is it? Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that you can mix with oxygen and breathe in to help with relaxation during an in-office varicose vein procedure. How does it work? Nitrous oxide (N2O) on its own can only be used safely for […]

November 20, 2017

As a provider at IVC I commonly get the question “should I take Valium for my procedure?” I hope this will provide a little more information on what Valium is and how it can be used most effectively. During consultation with the patient the nurse […]

October 16, 2017

When doctors’ visits go longer than expected, the last thing someone wants to do is have one more conversation. Meeting about cost and benefits can definitely add to the emotional and mental stress of health care, especially if you’re overwhelmed by your findings from the […]

September 21, 2017

I have been working here in IVC for over 10 years and as a nurse practitioner who sees all of the new patients, I have been asked all kinds of interesting questions about veins, treatment, and what to expect following treatment.  There have also been […]

August 22, 2017

Many patients with superficial system venous reflux also have deep system venous reflux. The deep venous system is responsible for 90% of the venous flow out of the leg. The superficial system is responsible for the other 10% of venous flow out of the leg. […]

July 31, 2017

When trying to decide which vein center best suits you the choices can be overwhelming.  There are many different kinds of doctors doing the treatments, there are small stand-alone clinics to treatments within the hospital, there are offices close and there are offices far.  One […]

July 11, 2017

Some very common questions new patients have when they come in for their first appointment are “What are you looking for? How can you tell if I have varicose veins?”. Ultrasound is excellent for diagnosing varicose veins and is used throughout the treatment plan. Patients […]

May 26, 2017

Updated: August 19, 2022 Pelvic congestion syndrome, also called pelvic venous congestion, falls under a broader range of pelvic venous disorders which are a known, but often unrecognized cause of chronic pelvic pain. Varicose pelvic veins develop when the valves in veins are not working […]

May 3, 2017

Dealing with treatment of varicose veins can be tricky when it comes to prior authorization with an insurance company. There are many guidelines that need to be followed and they are specific to each insurance company. Examples including vein size, types of veins, pain level, […]

April 24, 2017

As an ultrasound technician, I have the opportunity to spend a good amount of time with our patients. Something I hear over and over again from our patients is they have been suffering from varicose veins for some time and they are frustrated their doctors […]

February 27, 2017

It was mentioned in a previous blog that we would go into more detail on ADL’s; specifically what they are and how they are affected by your varicose vein pain? What Are Activities of Daily Living? To start with, ADL means “Activities of Daily Living”. […]

February 23, 2017

Endovenous Thermal Ablation The first procedure typically performed is the venous ablation. This is where the vein is burned with either laser or radio frequency catheters. During this procedure, the patient is sedated with valium, nitrous oxide, or both. The patient can choose the level […]

February 10, 2017

Getting treatment for varicose veins can be daunting and sometimes frustrating. We hear you and want to help. Does this scenario sound familiar: Physician: How long have you suffered symptoms? Patient: Explains reason for visit. Physician: Well, I know we can help you with that. […]

September 2, 2016

Athletes focus on improving running times or golf scores, but most people don’t think about their bodies’ health until they feel actual pain. Who, Me? Hosted by IVC, the Athletic Free Vein Screening Event reaches out to a wider group of people—athletes and men—who may […]

August 29, 2016

Long gone are the days of painful and invasive vein stripping techniques for treating varicose veins. These techniques have been replaced with minimally invasive ablation procedures like Endovenous Laser Ablation and Radio Frequency Ablation. These procedures are highly effective, minimally-invasive and are much easier to […]

July 11, 2016

Any long-time sufferer of varicose veins knows the joy of putting on and wearing compression stockings. Your legs feel great once they are on but getting there can sometimes be a challenge. Is there a secret trick to getting them on? Donning Compression Stockings No, […]

June 6, 2016

Vein disease is not always as obvious as large, bulging varicose veins. You may have symptoms of vein disease without any varicosities. For this reason, we offer free, varicose vein screenings. So, what are the symptoms and signs of vein disease? Symptoms and Signs Bulging […]

April 4, 2016

Varicose veins are often recognized for their unsightly appearance, but what you cannot see is the symptoms they can cause. Symptoms like leg pain, heaviness, swelling, and even restless legs can make it difficult to enjoy the everyday activities of life. Left untreated, varicose veins […]

September 14, 2015

Let us be ‘vein’ and celebrate being nationally recognized for our quality patient care. IVC is part of an elite group of centers that have been nationally recognized for providing quality patient care by receiving a “Seal of approval” from Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Superficial […]

August 28, 2015

Compression stockings are an important tool in the treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. They help to alleviate the symptoms of venous disease, prevent blood clots, and are used after varicose vein treatment. To understand how compression stockings work, you first need to know […]

July 7, 2015

Interventional Radiology is a medical specialty that uses minimally invasive techniques to treat conditions that once required surgery. Using imaging like X-ray, MRI, and Ultrasound, Interventional Radiologists can guide catheters and other tools to target areas throughout the body. For 40 years Interventional Radiologists have […]

May 20, 2015

Varicose veins are a source of pain and embarrassment for millions of Americans. Besides being painful and unsightly they can cause swelling, heaviness in the legs, itching, and can lead to more serious conditions like blood clots and ulceration. The bulging veins seen on the […]

May 13, 2015

The unknown can make anyone feel a little nervous! So we understand if you are feeling apprehensive for your upcoming varicose vein procedure. Sometimes having a better understanding of what takes place can ease your nerves. Day of Procedure The day of the procedure, you […]

April 20, 2015

Sclerotherapy is often associated with the cosmetic treatment of spider veins and rightfully so, it has been used to treat veins for over 100 years! This minimally-invasive treatment is also used to close small veins that aren’t apparent on the skin surface. Sclerotherapy is a […]

March 27, 2015

Utah varicose vein treatment is easier than ever. With a combination of three simple, in-office procedures; varicose vein treatment can you get you back to enjoying life’s simple pleasures. As with any medical procedure there are some restrictions following treatment. Fortunately, you may return to […]

March 18, 2015

Bulging varicose veins are the most obvious and unsightly sign of vein disease. These large, distended veins appear right under the skin surface. When veins deeper in the leg become diseased and blood fails to return to the heart normally, these small veins near the […]

February 23, 2015

You have had it with the bulging varicose veins, the heaviness throughout the day, the leg pain at the end of your shift, and the restlessness once you get to bed. It is time to have these veins treated. The first question many people would […]

January 26, 2015

An estimated 40 million Americans suffer from painful varicose veins. Fortunately, varicose vein treatment is easier and more effective than ever before. Only twelve years ago painful vein stripping surgeries were the norm. These surgeries involved surgically removing the vein, requiring the patient to go […]

November 26, 2014

Can I get screened for varicose veins and CVI? Varicose Vein Definitions, Assessment and Treatment Researchers estimate that more than 30 million people in the United States suffer from some type of vascular disorder that often includes varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency. Nearly two […]

November 17, 2014

If you are dealing with varicose veins, you don’t have to suffer forever. Today’s patients can benefit from innovative treatments that take away many of the discomforts of this condition. If you are considering varicose vein treatment, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. […]

October 20, 2014

Causes of Varicose Veins Varicose veins are those that have expanded and twisted. They commonly occur in the legs and are located right under the skin. Healthy veins contain valves that keep blood flowing in their natural direction. When varicose veins develop, these valves no […]

If you suffer from varicose veins, you are not alone. Studies suggest that approximately 40 million people in the United States have variscosities. Half of this group are over the age of 50 and more than 60 percent are older women. Hormone changes throughout life tend to make women […]

If you experience the aching or cramping sensations that are associated with varicose veins, you may find it difficult to make it through each day. With an estimated 30-60 percent of adults suffering from varicose veins, it’s a good bet you are not alone. Whether […]

October 13, 2014

As many as 40 million Americans suffer from varicose veins and their symptoms. Symptoms including leg pain, aches, heaviness, itching, and leg swelling. For many, these symptoms affect their daily life, making it difficult to do the things you love to even normal daily activities. […]

September 23, 2013

Dr. Carl M. Black of IVC spoke this month at XVII World Meeting of the International Union of Phlebology in Boston, MA.

March 11, 2013

“I finally have my life back, and am almost completely pain free.” Varicose veins have long cursed both sides of my family, so it was not a surprise when I started to get them early on in life. I have always lived a healthy and […]

Now that winter is winding down, it’s easy to get lost in thoughts of a long-awaiting tropical vacation. Sandy beaches. Toasty temperatures. And maybe a pina colada. Unfortunately, some of us get an unpleasant introduction to summer when we try on the swimsuit only to […]

December 20, 2012

“Not worrying about both the pain and appearance of varicose veins has been a major confidence booster.” I started suffering from varicose veins in middle school but it wasn’t until after high school that I realized there was a safe, effective, and innovative way to […]

April 10, 2012

“After a few simple, same-day procedures, my pain went away and I actually feel confident to wear knee length skirts again!” Like many other who suffer from varicose veins, I come from a long line of women with varicose vains. My mother and grandmother talked […]

“I’m pain free and living my life again. When I learn that someone is suffering from varicose veins, I don’t hesitate to refer them to the experts at IVC.” For Beverly, varicose veins were more than just a cosmetic issue. The pain in her legs […]

November 14, 2011

Leg discomfort: If you experience aching, heaviness, throbbing, burning, itching, cramping, or numbness in your legs, then there is a good chance you have venous insufficiency. In many cases, these symptoms are exacerbated by long periods of standing or sitting. Fatigued or heavy legs: If […]

October 27, 2011

With more and more doctors dabbling in vein treatments it is important that you do your homework on selecting the right healthcare provider. There are a few easy steps you can take when making this selection: Ask other people who suffer from the same condition […]

May 25, 2011

Varicoceles are a relatively common condition (affecting approximately 10 percent of men) that tend to occur in young men, usually during the second or third decade of life. Sometimes these varicoceles cause no symptoms and are harmless, but sometimes a varicocele can cause pain, atrophy […]

April 7, 2011

Often times our female patients have both leg varicose veins and pelvic varicose veins. Although these veins are in different locations both sources can be symptomatic to the patient. The question then becomes “which do I treat first?”   The problematic veins although similar in […]

February 16, 2011

What are spider veins? Well, most people know them as the dark web-like veins that are spread from thighs to ankles on the surface of the skin. Why do we get these nasty little veins? In many instances, spider veins are fed by larger sources […]

December 30, 2010

Often times when we are talking to patients about closing down their problematic varicose veins we will get asked “are you sure you can close down those veins?” or “doesn’t my body need those veins, are you going to make things worse?” When treating varicose […]

December 16, 2010

Often patients want to know why all of their procedures for varicose veins cannot be done all in one setting. At IVC we understand that it would be more convenient for some patients to have all the procedures done at once, but there are a […]

November 8, 2010

One of the most frequent questions asked is will the procedures hurt. This is often a difficult question to answer, because everyone experiences pain differently. Some patients report no pain after the procedure and for others the pain can be significant. For the purposes of […]

July 22, 2010

Even though IVC does not require patients to have tried conservative measures before receiving treatment, many insurance providers do. What are conservative measures? Conservative measures include the use of prescription strength compression stockings, the use of analgesics and NSAIDS, leg elevation, weight loss and exercise.