When varicoceles cause pain or contribute to infertility, they can be treated with a quick procedure, right in our facility where our specialists cut off blood flow to the problem vein and allow the varicocele to resolve on its own.

Varicoceles are varicose veins that develop in the scrotum, often appearing during adolescence and growing over time. They may cause pain or discomfort, and they have been linked to infertility. Over time, an untreated varicocele can lead to shrinkage of the testicle.

Symptoms of a varicocele

Varicoceles often develop on the left side of the scrotum. Not all varicoceles cause symptoms. You may have a varicocele if you experience:

• A dull, aching pain that is worse when standing or at the end of the day. The discomfort may be relieved by lying down.
• Swelling of the scrotum.
• A mass in the scrotum that feels and/or looks like “a bag of worms.”
• The affected testicle is smaller than the other.
• Infertility, most likely due to a temperature increase from inflammation around the varicocele.
  

Treatment for Varicoceles

At CiC, we offer an alternative to surgical stitching or clipping of a varicocele. Our procedure does not require general anesthesia and takes place right in our facility.

Your doctor will make a tiny nick in your upper thigh and insert a very thin tube into your blood vessel. Using real-time imaging, the doctor will guide the tube to the varicocele and deliver an agent into the vein that blocks the flow of blood. This is called embolization. With its blood flow cut off, the varicocele will shrink and eventually be re-absorbed by your body.

The procedure takes about an hour, and you’ll be able to return to normal activities in one to two days. You can resume exercise after about a week.

Varicoceles can be frustrating, but they are treatable. If you suspect the pain or infertility you are experiencing could be caused by a varicocele, call us for an appointment today.

Could it Be Causing my Symptoms?

You know the signs, a few gray hairs here and there, little wrinkles around your mouth that you insist are smile lines or the twinge you feel when get up from the couch…It’s happening to all of us. We’re getting older. While these are familiar symptoms of aging we try to ignore, some of us may experience other changes that shouldn’t be ignored. If you notice that your legs are sore when you lay down at night, but feel better when you hang them over the edge of bed, if your feet ache, burn or feel cold, especially at night or if you have pain in both of your calves, hips or thighs when you exercise or rest, you may have peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

PVD is a broad term that refers to disease in your veins, arteries and lymphatic vessels in your arms and legs. Typically, PVD mostly affects your legs. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), a form of PVD, refers specifically to the type of PVD that is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries. This build-up occurs gradually over time and hardens into plaque inside the artery, this condition is known as atherosclerosis. Sometimes, it’s called “hardening of the arteries”. No matter what you call it, this plaque causes a narrowing of the passageway, restricting the amount of blood that flows throughout the body. It most often occurs in the lower legs, feet and toes. Without an adequate blood supply, your body can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to maintain healthy legs, feet and/or toes.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) refers specifically to disease of the veins and is generally caused by heredity, weight gain, pregnancy, hormone changes or sedentary lifestyle. It refers to the body’s ability to return blood back to the heart during circulation; what often happens is the body sends the necessary blood supply to the extremities but can’t return the blood back into the body’s circulation. CVI can result in the development of bulging varicose veins, chronic venous ulcers (wounds that have a difficult time healing or won’t heal) , spontaneous rupture of varicose veins (which creates a bruise or an opening that won’t stop bleeding) , spider veins, leg swelling and inflammatory/chronic skin changes including darkening of the skin around the lower leg, ankles and feet.

Whatever type of PVD you have, whether it’s venous or arterial, the primary goal is to treat the condition before you experience damage to the vascular system that cannot be repaired. Symptoms from either PAD or CVI are a warning that there is a medical condition that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Both forms of the disease worsen over time unless you do something about it. That something can be significant lifestyle changes, proper treatment or both.

Signs You Need Treatment for PVD

People living with PVD often don’t realize how much the disease affects their daily activities and quality of life. You don’t want to dismiss the symptoms of PVD as signs of aging. It’s important to pay attention to the subtle signs of this condition. . . Most people experience the feeling of dull, cramping pain while others may experience a heaviness or tightness in their leg muscles and general leg fatigue.

Although symptoms related to PVD are not usually life threatening, they can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle. This may cause weight gain and in extreme cases may require surgical intervention or lead to loss of limb. Without appropriate treatment, symptoms and the disease can worsen and lead to serious conditions like critical limb ischemia and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This puts you at higher risk for stroke and pulmonary embolism. Getting an accurate diagnosis and a proper treatment plan is critical.

What Kind of Doctor Treats Peripheral Vascular Disease?

Interventional radiologists and interventional cardiologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat PVD. Our team at CiC uses image-guided techniques to make a proper diagnosis based on your unique symptoms. From that diagnosis, they treat your condition with minimally-invasive or non-invasive procedures. What does this mean to you? It means less risk, less pain, less recovery time and better health outcomes as compared to traditional surgery. You don’t have to live with symptoms related to PVD.

Our CiC team includes venous specialists Dr. James McEown, Dr. Karen Garby and Dr. Jeff Braxton, along with arterial specialists Dr. Joel Rainwater, Dr. Kevin Duwe, Dr. Michael Switzer, Dr. Ryan O’Hara, Dr. Brian Evans, and vascular surgeon Dr. Grant Fankhauser. To learn more about venous or arterial treatment call Comprehensive Integrate Care at 480-374-7354 or visit us on line at www.ciccenters.com to find a specialist near you. We offer leading edge prevention, diagnosis and intervention for varicose vein treatment and peripheral arterial disease.

If you have Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), you are not alone. PAD is a common circulatory problem. Thanks to aging and certain lifestyle habits, the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs can become narrowed by the buildup of arterial plaque (atherosclerosis), reducing blood flow. This can lead to circulation problems.

PAD (sometimes referred to as “hardening of the arteries”) is a serious disease. It can cause pain and open sores that don’t heal. Left untreated, these sores can become so infected that they lead to amputation. PAD also significantly increases your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

How PAD is treated

Your peripheral artery disease specialists will aim to manage your symptoms and to stop the progression of atherosclerosis. In many cases, these goals can be accomplished by lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, weight loss, and quitting smoking. Also, drugs can be prescribed to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure levels, control your blood sugar, prevent blood clots, and relieve your symptoms.

For more serious cases, non-surgical methods are available. We specialize in these treatments at CiC. We can physically remove the buildup of plaque, widen the affected arteries, and improve your circulation.

What you need to know about living with PAD if you have it

If you have been diagnosed with PAD, there are several things to be aware of. Because PAD decreases blood flow to your legs, feet, and toes, these body parts should be protected by doing the following:

• Most important: don’t skip scheduled appointments with your doctor. They have been scheduled for a reason – to make sure that your disease is under control and not becoming worse or causing you other problems.
• Exercise, exercise, exercise. Yes, we know this sounds counter-intuitive. Your poor circulation may have made exercise difficult or painful for you. You can start with walks around your neighborhood or around a shopping mall. Remember to sit and take breaks if you get tired or your legs begin to bother you. Then get up and continue on, aiming at 30 minutes of light exercise a day. Yoga and stretching exercises can help too.
• Pay attention to your feet and legs. Be on the lookout for leg numbness. Check your feet and toes daily for sores, cracked skin, or anything that doesn’t look right. Sores may start small, but the PAD keeps them from healing, and they can get worse quickly.
• Try to stay warm. If the weather is cold out, consider finding indoor spaces to take your daily walks. Remember to wear warm socks and comfortable shoes whenever you go out.
• If you smoke, STOP. Smoking is one of the most common causes of PAD. Every cigarette you smoke makes the disease worse. If you’re having trouble quitting, ask your doctor for support groups or medications that can help.
• Eat a balanced diet. Eat lots of “heart healthy” foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and lean meats. Cut back on salt, sugar, alcohol, and saturated fats.

And finally, if your symptoms get worse, don’t be afraid to see a cardiologist near you who specializes in PAD. Especially one who treats it with more permanent techniques such as atherectomy.

That’s one of our specialties at Comprehensive Interventional Care Centers.

To learn more about venous or arterial treatment, please call Comprehensive Interventional Care Centers at 888-377-7122 or visit us online at www.ciccenters.com to find a specialist near you.