Guys Get Varicose Veins Too

Posted on 06-13-2013

In categories Healthy Lifestyle Patient Education Patient Experience Stories

Meet Louis Cavalli — nice fella, former varicose vein sufferer, Hamilton Vein Center patient, man.

And he’s smiling for a reason.

You see, Louis finally found relief after suffering for years with bulging, chain-like veins after a series of minimally invasive, no downtime vein treatments at Hamilton Vein Center Sugar Land.

Louis’ vein experience mirrors the many we hear from our patients, but it’s the guys this time that we want to listen up. Because almost as many men suffer from vein disease as the ladies. And that’s a fact, Jack.

The reasons men and women develop vein disease are similar except women get to add the dreaded hormones into the equation. But primarily it’s heredity, jobs that require long periods of standing, and excess weight that cause veins to stretch and engorge. Women tend to take notice of the cosmetic and the “feelings” associated with vein disease — like tiredness, achiness, heaviness, restlessness, cramping and itching — and take action with a minimally invasive vein treatment. While men tend to ignore both the feelings and the cosmetic because they chalk varicose veins and vein pain as a sign of getting older and just put up with it. This is where the guys need to take the lead from the ladies and nip vein problems in the bud before their legs end up looking like this

or this

Take it from former vein sufferers and Hamilton Vein Center varicose vein treatment patients — Louis Cavalli and Gary Eubank – today’s minimally invasive, varicose vein treatments end vein pain and suffering once and for all.

So don’t be a guy! Schedule your complimentary vein consultation and screening at any one of the eight Houston area Hamilton Vein Center locations today by calling 281-565-0033 and get your flow mojo back!

varicose veins in menvein treatments for men

Water: H2Ohh How We Love It. And It Loves Us.

Posted on 06-11-2013

In categories Healthy Lifestyle Patient Education

As the temps make their way to the century mark – and humidity levels right in step with it – what better time than now to talk about the health benefits of water — and there are lots of them.

Going beyond 8 glasses a day.

“Water for Health, for Healing, for Life” – a fascinating book by Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj — heralds the natural healing powers of water.

In the book, Dr. Batmanghelidj states that blood in a fully hydrated body is normally about 94% water. And you guessed it, when a body is not fully hydrated, blood is thicker, which means it’s flowing slower and is harder to pump. This is not a good thing for our hard-working veins that already have a heck of a job defying gravity and pumping blood back up from the legs to the heart.

Another interesting study from the University of Michigan Health System is the The Healing Foods Pyramid™, which lists water as the base — the most essential “food” our bodies need.

Though we don’t think of water as a food per se, it is included in the Healing Foods Pyramid because it plays a vital role in creating the balance that comes from eating a whole-foods, plant-based diet. Water’s superpowers are many, but if losing weight, keeping varicose veins at bay and more energy sound good to you – well then, drink up!

Are you dehydrated and don’t even know it?

According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Some in the healthcare field argue against that number, but as we live in one very hot, very humid place, the best advice is to be smart about your hydration. According to the Institute of Medicine, men should drink roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. And women should drink 2.2. liters (about 9 cups) total beverages per day.

And by “beverages” they mean anything that comes in liquid form — so bring on that supersize iced tea! Of course, in the Texas’ heat, you need to bump that up and consume more to keep your motor from running to hot. But you knew that already.

If you aren’t in love yet with water already — we hope you’ll at least like — for the health of it!

References:

Watercure.com

University of Michigan Health Systems — Integrative Medicine

Foods for Blood Circulation — Livestrong

Institute of Medicine

circulation boosterswaterwater's benefits

5 Gadgets to Get Dad Moving

Posted on 06-07-2013

In categories Healthy Lifestyle

If you’re a Hamilton Vein Center patient, you know how we feel about exercise around here – just do it! Everything benefits — the heart, muscles, joints, brain, veins — when you drop the remote and get out for at least 30 minutes of daily cardiovascular activity. And with Father’s Day just around the corner (it’s Sunday, June 16th guys!), here are 5 cool gadgets to get dear ‘ol dad movin’ and one cool link to some fun playlists to keep him groovin’. The hope being that all that movin’ and a-groovin’ can help dad give varicose veins and vein disease the Heisman.

Armpocket Nighthawk Armband

Featured item at Consumer Electronics Show 2013

Dad won’t have an excuse not to exercise before the sun comes up or once it starts to go down with the Armpocket Nighthawk Armband. This nifty arm candy lets dad stash his phone, cash and up to five credit cards (not that dad would be traveling with this much loot on him, but there’s room if that’s how he rolls), plus it features white LED lights that act as personal headlights by shining 30 feet of road / sidewalk / path ahead. A steady or flashing red light can be seen a mile away, alerting traffic that they’re not the only ones out on the road!

For more info and to purchase: armpocket.com

Pioneer Water-resistant Earbud Headphones

We have lots of runners on staff at Hamilton Vein, and we’re always talking about finding the perfect pair of headphones to run or workout in. The folks over at Men’s Health touted these Pioneer earbud headphones as being the best-sounding, waterproof buds around. We like that they come with 4 interchangeable ear tip sizes, fun color choices and are a cinch to clean. $60

For more info and to purchase: pioneerelectronics.com What are your favorite workout earbuds? Let us know on the Hamilton Vein Center Facebook page or in the comment box below. Continue reading →

father's dayfitness gadgetsultrasound

Dr. Fox Performs a Live Radiofrequency Ablation on Great Day Houston

Posted on 06-05-2013

In categories In the Media Ultrasound Vein Treatments

Houston vein specialist, Dr. William Fox, who heads Hamilton Vein Center Kingwood performs a live radiofrequency ablation on Jacqueline Hall, a 24-year-old who suffers with restless, painful legs after standing for long periods of time. Jacqueline is younger than most Hamilton Vein patients, but her medical history — both grandparents had vein disease — has made her susceptible to developing vein disease. By being proactive now, Jacqueline is stopping the progression of her vein disease before it leads to more chronic, debilitating conditions like venous dermatitis.

To schedule your free vein consultation and screening, please call 281-565-0033.

Meet Vicki Caum. Long-time Vein Sufferer — No More!

Posted on 06-02-2013

In categories Patient Experience Stories

Meet Vicki Caum

One of the first things you notice when you meet Vicki Caum for the first time is her easy laugh, friendly smile – and that she’s also very happy to tell you about the vein treatments that changed her life!

Vicki’s struggle with vein disease is one we are very familiar with here at Hamilton Vein Center. It started a long time ago, was misdiagnosed and mistreated. All the signs were missed by other doctors.

We recently sat down with Vicki and asked her to share her vein journey so others could learn from her experience.

Q. Does vein disease run in your family?

A. You bet it does! I remember my mother’s calves – they were more bulbous towards the knee and much thinner near the ankles. My dad had venous ulcers. I remember both being quite miserable.

Q. When did you notice you too were suffering with vein disease?

A. For the longest time, I didn’t know I had vein disease. I didn’t ever think that because my parents had problems with their legs that I would too. In the early 2000s, I had blood clots in my leg. I underwent lots of testing. My blood wasn’t thinning properly. I also injured my leg at that time.

Then, about three years ago, it looked like I had a tumor on my leg (where the injury had occurred). So I went to see a dermatologist who diagnosed it as cellulitis. I was given potent antibiotics to treat it.

There was no change. So the dermatologist changed the dosage and told me that if nothing happens, I’d have to see an infectious disease doctor and have a biopsy done.

Q. Did the increased dosage of antibiotics help at all?

A. No. But it was interesting when I went to see a podiatrist for a foot problem I was having and he looked at my leg and said, “You don’t have cellulitis. This is something else.” So the mystery continued.

Then late last year I noticed a hardening on my right leg where I had hit it over 10 years earlier. It didn’t heal. It became very hard, very itchy. It oozed. My legs were achy, hurt and would swell. The skin became dry, flaky – so I wanted to scratch and scratch.

I knew I needed to see a doctor but didn’t know which one. My best friend was having issues with her legs too. It just so happens that her sister-in-law, Irma Garza , is the receptionist at Hamilton Vein Center Sugar Land. She told my friend and I to come in for a free vein consultation. When you’ve tried and tried to find relief, it couldn’t hurt, right? So I did.

Continue reading →

lipodermatosclerosisskin conditionsvenous dermatitis

Five Yummy, Vein-Healthy, Circulation-Boosting Recipes

Posted on 05-24-2013

In categories Healthy Lifestyle

Taking care of your veins doesn’t have to be boring. Here are five vein-friendly recipes, we think you will fall head over summer sandals for!

Spicy Southwest Chopped Salad with Salsa Verde

Recipe and photo courtesy of allrecipes.com

Ingredients

 2 ears corn
 1 pound tomatillos, husked
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 jalapeno chile pepper, chopped
1/4 large white onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
salt, to taste
4 teaspoons lime juice
1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/4 medium head red cabbage, chopped
 1 (14.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, or to taste
 1 head green leaf lettuce
1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil; add the corn and boil 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the corn and allow to cool until cool enough to handle. Cut the corn off of the cob and place into a large mixing bowl; set aside
Place the tomatillos, cilantro, jalapeno, onion, garlic, salt, and 4 teaspoons of lime juice into a blender. Pulse until the vegetables have been finely chopped; set aside. Toss the avocado with 1 teaspoon of lime juice and mix with the corn, cabbage, black beans, and bell pepper.
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning.
Cook the chicken breasts on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Set the breasts aside until cool enough to handle; cut into bite sized pieces.
Divide the lettuce leaves onto 4 plates. Mound the avocado mixture on top of the lettuce, followed by the chicken. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and garnish with lime wedges to serve. Continue reading →

Meet Hamilton Vein Center’s Sarah Elkadiri!

Posted on 05-23-2013

In categories Meet the Staff

Sarah Elkadiri

When you’re in the business of helping feel better, it truly is a team effort and nothing is more satisfying than hearing compliments about our staff from our patients. And when you have compassionate, engaging people like patient coordinator, Sarah Elkadiri, on your team, we know our patients are in great hands!

Patient Coordinator Sarah Elkadiri

Q. What do you do at HVC and how long have you been here?

A. I started working as an intern here at Hamilton Vein October 22, 2012 while finishing up my double masters in business administration and health administration at the University of Houston Clear Lake.

Now I’m a patient coordinator whose responsibilities include scheduling and coordinating treatment plans, explaining billing documents and treatment plans. Basically it’s my job to ensure each patient is informed and educated about all aspects of their treatment. I love people so building relationships is right up my alley!

Q. How did you get into this field?

A. I love people and helping people so initially I was accepted to a dental school. Once there, I could tell it wasn’t the fit for me because it was very hands-on and I really couldn’t interact with the patients! For someone who loves to communicate, I knew I had to find something else healthcare related.

That something else was discovered when a friend of mine worked in the admin department of a hospital. So I thought I’d give that avenue a try — and I loved it!

Q. What do you love most about your job?

A. I love to see change, results. Since I communicate the most with our patients, you really get to know them. And it’s thrilling to see their progress as they go through treatment.

I love how the patient coordinators help the patients create their own little “Hamilton Vein family” — if there’s a particular PA, doctor or nurse they like to see each time, we make that happen for them. We do everything we can to accommodate schedules and special requests so our patients feel comfortable every step of the way.

Plus, being a patient coordinator let’s me do two things I love to do: talk and work with people! We see people walk in with some pretty serious, debilitating vein problems and because my desk is right near the exit, I get to see their happy, smiling faces when they go out.

You just don’t realize what an impact you’ve made. The patients end up loving us so much! They bring us gifts, home-baked goodies, and so many compliments and thank you notes. Continue reading →

Dr. Hamilton on The Wellness Hour with Randy Alvarez. Aired Sunday, May 12, 2013.

Posted on 05-13-2013

In categories In the Media Patient Education Ultrasound Vein Conditions Vein Disease Vein Treatments

In case you missed Dr. Hamilton on the Wellness Hour yesterday, make yourself comfortable and listen in on this enlightening conversation that covers everything from vein treatment myths, like how vein stripping IS NOT how veins are treated today; the various types and degrees of vein disease; the debilitating effects of progressive vein disease (decreased quality of life, pain, leg ulcers), patient success stories, and more.

A Mother’s Day Special! Dr. Hamilton Appearing on the Wellness Hour with Randy Alvarez

Posted on 05-10-2013

In categories In the Media

As you recuperate from one too many rounds at the Mother’s Day Brunch buffet, tune into KTRK, ABC13, Sunday at 1 p.m. and catch Dr. Hamilton on the Wellness Hour with Randy Alvarez.

Fair warning: Discussions with Dr. Hamilton about vein disease invariably mean he’ll use visuals to show the progression of the disease. Some are quite unsettling but necessary to show because so many people think their skin problems –especially those with flaking, itching, dry, and even ulcerated skin — are dermatological problems or related to some other medical condition — when, many times, it’s vein disease.

Click on the image to view Dr. Hamilton’s interview with Mr. Alvarez from January 2011.