The study included 145 participants with diabetes and PAD randomly assigned to receive a six-month intervention that included one-on-one interaction with the research coordinator at baseline as well as: 1) walking training, weekly group walking classes with an instructor, and biweekly telephone calls for six months; or 2) a control intervention that included twice-monthly telephone calls with the research coordinator. Both groups watched a seven-minute educational video about PAD.

Although no significant difference was observed in treadmill walking distance, average walking speed scores and mental health quality-of-life increased for the intervention group but decreased in the control group. Based on these findings, the study concluded that clinicians should consider recommending home-based walking therapy for such patients.

Walking therapy has long been recommended for patients with PAD and diabetes. Similar to training your muscles for sports, walking trains the muscles to work more efficiently with the reduced circulation that is symptomatic of these conditions. This sort of aerobic activity is key to maintaining quality of life.

When patients encounter the pain associated with diabetes and PAD, the first reaction is to avoid activities that cause pain, such as walking. Avoiding exercise actually makes the body less tolerant, and patients become more immobilized. Exercise brings more oxygen to the area, helping to improve mobility.

The positive, measureable results in these recent studies confirm the benefits of walking therapy for diabetes and PAD patients. While we always recommend our patients get up and walking when they can, there is currently no organized, monitored protocol for home-based walking therapy. This study indicates that the development of a formal therapy regimen would be beneficial for improving a patient’s mobility and mental health quality-of-life.

Connect with Us

“Premier Edge” email newsletter: http://www.premiersurgical.com/connect/newsletter
Premier on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/premiersurgical
Premier on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/premiersurgical

The post Walking Intervention Benefits Patients with Diabetes and PAD first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins but are smaller and closer to the surface of the skin. They are typically red or blue and have short, jagged lines that look like tree branches or spider webs. Generally, spider veins are more of a cosmetic than medical issue, but they can be indicators of other serious vascular issues, so it’s always a good idea to have them evaluated by a physician.

An effective treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive, relatively painless procedure in which affected veins are injected with a solution that irritates the inside lining of the veins and causes them to seal shut. After a few weeks, the spider veins turn into scar tissue and fade from view. Laser therapy is another treatment option.

Sclerotherapy is an in-office procedure that can be performed in under an hour. It allows you to resume normal activities immediately following treatment. The number of treatments needed varies depending on the individual and severity of the problem.

Finally, because sclerotherapy is considered a cosmetic treatment, it generally is not covered by insurance. Our staff will work with you to determine your insurance eligibility.

If you are ready to get rid of spider veins, request an appointment with the vascular specialists at Premier Vein Clinics today.

The post ‘Treat’ Yourself to Treatment of Spider Veins first appeared on Premier Surgical.