The Vein Doctor

Last month, I met a patient with varicose eczema who really shocked me. She had suffered with this condition for 12 years and nothing had been done. Sadly, the condition is often misdiagnosed and neglected but this is not what shocked me in her case.

I first met Anne when she accompanied her daughter to my clinic. In fact it was her daughter who had an appointment to see me as she had varicose veins with phlebitis. During her daughter’s consultation, Anne who was in the waiting area started chatting with our clinic nurse and she commented that she had a … Continue reading »

Doctors have known for a long time that the presence of varicose veins is associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis. The underlying cause of varicose veins is superficial venous reflux. However, a substantial proportion of people with reflux do not have varicose veins and they only develop them later in life. Until now, there was no evidence that superficial reflux is associated with an increased risk of DVT. Well research just published changes all that. 

A careful study from Ohio published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, Venous and Lymphatic Disorders* looked at patients with … Continue reading »

Last week, I attended the National Thrombosis Conference. This study day looks at all aspects of blood clots and health. The same week, I heard the sad news of Lisa Calladine who at the age of 36 developed a deep vein thrombosis and subsequently died of clots on the lung -a pulmonary embolus.

Lisa Calladine

My condolences go to her family. I do not know the full facts of her case- I read about Lisa on line but based on what I read and what I learnt … Continue reading »